THE WAY of Life in Australia 🇦🇺 (EN)Flying Across the World on Four Paths: Work, Family, Parenting, and an MBA — The Real Story of a Woman Working in Australia

Every month on WOMENCANFLY.CO’s blog series, The Way, we introduce inspirational women who live around the world. 

This time, we introduce Maki Matsuzaki, the General Manager of ANA (All Nippon Airways) Sydney Branch.

Maki began her career 36 years ago, in the era when Japan had just implemented its Equal Employment Opportunity Law. Throughout her journey—which includes marriage, childbirth, raising children, graduate school, and an overseas posting—she has continued to shape her life and career on her own terms.

Today, she is based in Sydney, overseeing sales, operations, and HR, acting as a vital bridge between Japan and Australia. Her words, “If there are no role models, I’ll be one myself,” reflect her determination and the depth of her experience.

This article explores the turning points of her career, contrasts between working in Japan and Australia, and the realities of managing work, study, parenting, and household responsibilities all at once. For anyone aspiring to work abroad, expand their career, or take a leap into a new environment, Maki’s story offers valuable insight and encouragement.

Collaborating with the CEO of maintenance partner Heston MRO

A Life-Changing Childhood Experience Abroad

A pivotal moment in Maki’s life came when she lived in Hong Kong for two and a half years during junior high school. Her father was posted overseas, and the family relocated to Hong Kong. Despite not speaking English at the time, Maki chose to attend a British local school instead of the Japanese school.

“I just wanted to try it. My English level was literally ‘I have a pen’ and that was it, but I thought, why not just dive in?”

Though she could barely hold a conversation at first, she studied hard and gradually acquired English. The experience of building a life in a different culture, facing language barriers, became a defining part of her early years.

“Looking back, those two and a half years were incredibly intense. That experience truly changed my life, and I’m glad I jumped in.”

From this early experience, she gained the courage to take initiative. That same mindset would later support her during major transitions—studying abroad, pursuing graduate school, and accepting an overseas assignment.

Choosing an unfamiliar environment and growing within it rather than following a predetermined path—Maki’s approach to life began with this formative Hong Kong experience.

Her formative years: Taking a leap into local school life in Hong Kong.

Starting a Career in an Era with No Female Managers — and Pursuing Promotion as a Working Mother

Maki joined ANA in the late 1980s, shortly after Japan’s Equal Employment Opportunity Law came into effect. But in practice, the mindset that “women = clerical staff, men = management track” remained widespread. Out of 80 hires in her year, only four were women on the management track. Maki herself joined as clerical staff.

However, she entered with a strong intention to transfer to the management track later. Her supervisors supported her ambition, and ANA eventually introduced a formal transfer system. At age 30, she successfully made the switch.

Just as her career seemed poised to accelerate, she reached another turning point: motherhood. At 33, she gave birth to her first child. With no reduced-hour systems at the time, she returned to full-time work after maternity leave. At 41, she had her second child and returned to work on shorter hours. Despite continuing to work hard, the path to promotion was not smooth.

“Even though I felt I was doing as much as my full-time colleagues,The door to the management exam just wouldn't open for me.”

Faced with frustration, Maki made a bold decision: she returned to full-time work while her second child was still in daycare. After a year of proving herself again, she was finally allowed to take the exam.

“I was scared, honestly. There were so few mothers in management roles, and I doubted myself. But as I approach 50, I thought, ‘I can’t end it like this.’”

That step changed everything. She passed the exam and became a senior manager. Two years later, she was promoted to director at an ANA group company—and then came the opportunity for an overseas posting.

“It was like my life suddenly leapt forward all at once.”

She reflects, “If there’s no role model, I’ll be one myself. That’s why I chose to be the first.”

With her eldest son studying abroad and her younger son still small—a career walked hand-in-hand with her family.

The COVID Crisis and MBA Pursuit: Juggling Four Roles at Once

In 2020, the global outbreak of COVID-19 severely impacted the aviation and travel industries. At the time, Maki Matsuzaki was seconded to one of ANA’s group companies, which provided reservation systems for travel agencies.

As bookings plummeted close to zero, so too did the company’s revenue. In her role as Head of Sales and Marketing, Maki found herself leading from the front lines, yet powerless to reverse the situation.

“I was supposed to be in a position to generate revenue, but there was nothing I could do. I felt frustrated and helpless.”

Amid this frustration, she made a bold decision—to deepen her understanding of business and management. That same year, she enrolled in the MBA program at Nagoya University of Commerce & Business (Tokyo campus).

Her life quickly turned into a whirlwind. Saturdays and Sundays were spent in classes from morning to evening. Weekdays were filled with work and assignments, while at home she continued her responsibilities as a mother.

It was a life of juggling four roles: work, study, housework, and childcare.

“Weekdays were nonstop with assignments and reports. Weekends were filled with in-person classes from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. But because I was working from home during the pandemic, I saved time on commuting. In a way, COVID gave me the opportunity to study.”

When she was later posted to Sydney, continuing her studies became even more challenging. Still, she didn’t give up. Maki began flying back to Japan on short, intense trips: taking a Friday night flight from Sydney to Tokyo, attending class fresh off the plane, sometimes traveling further by bullet train to the Nagoya campus. After weekend classes, she’d fly straight back to Sydney on Sunday night.

After several such trips, she finally graduated in March 2025.

“Why didn’t I quit? Honestly, it was sheer willpower. I didn’t want all the time and effort I put in to go to waste. I started this of my own volition—so I wanted to see it through.”

Maki’s determination to break through her own limits has made her journey a beacon for others. Her actions during the crisis—seeking what could be done in the moment—are a powerful form of leadership, beyond any title or position.

Moreover, the business insights she gained during her MBA became a critical foundation for her role as General Manager in Sydney.

In the end, it all comes down to one thing: whether you choose to act or not. This story reminds us that age and circumstances should never be barriers to new challenges.

Weekend flights between Japan and Australia—Maki’s determined path to complete her MBA.

First-Time Overseas Post: Leading as a Woman, With Children

“When I saw that ANA had been selected as a ‘Nadeshiko Brand’* for promoting women’s advancement, I couldn’t help but wonder: Why haven’t we ever had a female expatriate with children?”

(*Editor’s note: A recognition awarded by the Japanese government to companies supporting female empowerment)

That thought stuck with Maki when her children were still young.

Rather than accept the idea that it was “impossible because I have kids,” she wanted to prove that it was possible even with kids. For years, she continued requesting an overseas post.

Eventually, the opportunity came: General Manager of ANA’s Sydney Branch.

It would be her first overseas assignment—taking the leap with her child in tow.

“I was honestly very anxious before the move. Could I really manage both work and family abroad? But once I arrived, I realized, ‘Wow, there really are different ways to live.’”

To her relief, life in Sydney turned out to be smooth in many ways: an easy school transition, a peaceful and safe environment, and above all, supportive people. Australia proved to be an incredibly family-friendly country.

“Looking back now, I think maybe the company had considered me not just as an employee, but also as a mother. That’s how much Sydney welcomed me—as someone balancing both work and parenting.”

As Branch Manager, Maki oversees everything from sales and operations to HR and coordination with local companies and government. It’s a role she describes as being “like the president of a small company.”

“What matters isn’t whether you can do it or not—it’s about taking the first step. Once you do, a whole new view opens up.”

Her career wasn’t built to inspire others—it started simply from believing in herself enough to take that first step.

Starting a new chapter in Sydney with her youngest son by her side.

“How to Engage with People” — Leadership in a Multicultural Team

“As a leader, I want to be out on the ground, talking to people.”

These words from Maki reflect a deep belief in how we should face others—not just as roles or titles, but as individuals.

At ANA’s Sydney branch, the team is made up of Japanese, Australians, and national staff from diverse cultural backgrounds. With members of various nationalities, ages, and professional experiences, Maki has always valued one thing above all: seeing each person as a unique individual—free from bias or labels.

“We don’t need to place meaning on someone’s gender or nationality. All I do is treat person A and person B simply as individuals.”

This approach—listening carefully to others’ perspectives and words without being trapped by stereotypes or cultural assumptions—has become the foundation of her leadership in managing a multicultural team.

Her time in Australia has also influenced her mindset. In Japan, it was often pointed out that being a female manager was “unusual.” But in Australia, this is entirely normal. In fact, it’s not uncommon for international conferences to have more women than men at the table.

“Back in Japan, I felt like I stood out more because I was a woman. But in Sydney, being a woman sometimes creates more opportunities for conversations.”

The way people perceive you changes depending on the country. Embracing those changes positively, Maki continues to build her own leadership style—not as a “female leader,” but as herself.

Whether as a mother, a manager, or a working woman, the more roles she’s taken on, the more she’s returned to the core principle of “how to engage with others as a human being.”

In an environment where diverse values intersect, leading with respect for others—simply as people—offers an invaluable lesson for all of us navigating our own careers.

Visiting the frontlines to listen to staff firsthand is part of Maki’s daily routine.

“Because People Don’t Know, I Want to Share It” — Local Marketing & Recruitment Realities

In Sydney, it’s not unusual for someone to ask, “Which country is ANA from?”

While ANA is a household name in Japan, it’s often completely unknown overseas. This gap in awareness is exactly why Maki’s work in international sales and marketing is so important.

Route networks, complimentary domestic flights, exceptional safety—along with the core values behind ANA’s service—need to be communicated clearly and thoughtfully in the overseas market.

“Whenever I show them the Pikachu Jet, people are so excited!” she laughs.

Different cultures are drawn to different things. Maki embraces this difference and uses her frontline experience to tailor the message accordingly.

That same eye for people is what drives her recruitment philosophy.

“Sincerity, respect, and the ability to listen carefully—those are the qualities I look for in interviews. More than skills or flashy resumes, I look at who they are as a person.”

Rather than focusing on perfect English or impressive credentials, she values a willingness to engage with different perspectives and learn while moving forward. These qualities, she believes, are essential for working in a diverse team.

She tries to read between the lines—the words, the tone, the attitude—to understand each applicant’s essence.

“You don’t have to be perfect. What matters is how you treat others, and how open you are to the unknown. That’s where everything begins.”

Celebrating 10 years of ANA’s journey in Sydney with colleagues and partners.

Even what seems like a small step can transcend borders and roles, eventually leading to remarkable opportunities. The quiet, consistent steps that Maki takes each day become a guiding light for those striving to work across cultures and build meaningful global careers.

We look forward to Maki's next challenge.

Thank you for reading this, and we are always here for you!

Women can fly.

Much love, xxx

Team WCF

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