Celebrating International Women’s Day with Starbucks Partners from Asia Pacific
International Women’s Day is dedicated to honoring the awe-inspiring achievements of women globally – so what better way to mark the occasion than by exploring the uplifting stories behind some of our female partners (employees) throughout Asia Pacific?
Join us as they share their journeys at Starbucks, what continues to motivate them and their inspiring advice for other women in the coffee industry.
Ester Gratia, Indonesia Market
“Starbucks has become more than just a workplace – it’s where I’ve grown, learned and discovered my true potential,” says Ester Gratia, who joined Starbucks Indonesia in 2016 in the coffee growing region of Sumatra. Today, she is a Store Manager at Starbucks Reserve Delipark Medan store.
Reflecting on her career, she highlights moments like being selected to manage Starbucks’ first store in Padang, West Sumatra. “It was a valuable experience that sharpened my leadership and decision-making skills,” she explains.
Beyond her professional growth, Ester has taken advantage of Starbucks’ College Achievement Plan that has given her the opportunity to further her education. She is currently pursuing a Marketing Management degree at Pelita Harapan University, a milestone she says has empowered her and given her greater confidence.
Ester attributes much of her development to the collaborative environment at Starbucks, where teamwork and mutual support are emphasized. “It has shaped me into a leader who values collaboration and believes in growing together as a team to achieve our goals,” she shares.
For Ester, the most fulfilling part of her journey has been seeing her fellow partners thrive. “Watching them grow in their careers is a true source of pride,” she notes.
On International Women’s Day, Ester reflects on the importance of community and empowerment within the coffee industry. “Being a woman in this field is an empowering experience. As the industry evolves, women have a crucial role to play in shaping its future. Let’s believe in our abilities and support one another in achieving new heights.”
Yi Xin, Singapore Market
Yi Xin’s Starbucks story began during her student years, when she took up a part-time role as a barista. The meaningful connections she made with customers left a lasting impression, and during the isolation of COVID-19 lockdowns, she felt drawn back to those daily interactions. “I found myself reminiscing about my daily interactions with customers,” Yi reflects. “This inspired me to return to pursue a full-time career.”
Starbucks’ mission of nurturing the human spirit resonates deeply with Yi, who sees it as an opportunity to bring people together and spark positive change. As she describes, “It really speaks on how we provide opportunities for people to get together and enact change in the world.”
Five years later, Yi is now the Store Manager at Singapore’s Downtown East store. Her passion for coffee extends beyond the daily brew – she finds joy in connecting with customers and helping them understand the journey of coffee, encouraging them “to slow down and appreciate the chain of effort that goes into their daily brew.”
Yi is also inspired by Starbucks’ dedication to challenging conventions, from its origins with Sumatran beans to pioneering ideas from leaders like Howard Schultz. “When we give our partners the support to pursue audacious ideas outside our comfort zone, we will find growth as a community,” she says.
Among her proudest moments was winning the 2024 Singapore Cup Tasters Championship, a moment made even more special by the fact that the top three winners were all female Starbucks partners. “It was truly a moment of female empowerment,” Yi recalls.
Her message to women in the coffee industry is a reminder of what’s possible. “We are only ever limited by our imagination, not our gender. Continue to dream far and wide and believe in yourself,” Yi advises.
Luna Song, Korea Market
Luna Song chose Starbucks as her first job at the age of 20, a decision that continues to bring her fulfillment six years later. “Six years on, I’m still satisfied with that choice and work hard every day feeling fulfilled,” she shares.
Her journey with Starbucks began with Junior Achievement (JA) Korea, which partners with organizations like Starbucks Korea to provide career education and enhance youth employment opportunities. Since 2015, this collaboration has seen over 1,900 Starbucks partners volunteer to impact approximately 18,000 students through initiatives like opportunity fairs and career education in vocational high schools. Luna first explored the barista profession when she participated in Starbucks Korea’s JA Program in 2018. Inspired by the experience, she joined Starbucks in 2019 and is now an Assistant Store Manager at the Cheonan IC DT store.
“As a barista, handing customers a cup of coffee with a heartfelt greeting made me aspire to meet and connect with more customers and partners,” Luna explains. Her role as Assistant Store Manager has deepened her engagement, allowing her to interact with a diverse range of people every day.
Forging meaningful connections with her colleagues has been a highlight of Luna’s journey. She fondly recalls the partner who guided her JA Program group projects, inspiring her to “leave a lasting positive impression on others.” Similarly, joining a store in a new region became a transformative experience. “I initially had many concerns as I had no personal connections there, but working alongside them, I naturally developed a sense of belonging,” Luna recounts. “The experience of being cared for and supported by new partners, almost like family, remains one of my most cherished memories.”
Luna believes Starbucks offers countless opportunities for leadership and connection, both in guiding teams and serving customers. Her message to fellow female partners is one of encouragement: “Do not limit yourself. Believe in greater possibilities. With passion and determination, I truly believe women can shine in any role they choose.”
Evelyn Chou, Taiwan Market
Evelyn Chou’s love for coffee began with a simple fascination: latte art. That passion set her on a path that has spanned nearly five years as a Shift Supervisor and led her to become a Coffee Ambassador at Starbucks Taiwan Support Center in 2024. In her current role, Evelyn champions coffee culture and inspires her colleagues to deepen their appreciation for the craft. “Every time I exchange ideas and share the stories behind coffee with others, it brings me a sense of joy and achievement,” she shares. “Whether it’s passing on coffee skills or knowledge, it’s a meaningful way to connect with others and their lives.”
Her expertise and passion have earned her recognition, including winning the 2021 Asia Pacific Latte Art Championship. In 2023, Evelyn co-hosted the Starbucks Taiwan Leadership Experience, where she shared insights from her competition journey with store managers. “I hope they can take that back to inspire their store partners too,” she says.
Beyond her role as a coffee ambassador, Evelyn finds fulfilment in the connections she forges – not just with partners but also with customers. “Customers become friends,” she explains. “While making a great cup of coffee is simply my job, that cup could be the highlight of their day. You never know how everyday small gestures can warm someone’s heart; Starbucks helps us spread a cycle of kindness and positivity.”
Evelyn’s optimistic outlook continues to fuel her work, as well as her message to women in the coffee industry: “If you keep persevering with what you love, there will be endless rewards along the way.”
