Spotlighting Women Leaders: Marina Bay Sands Shona Lowe Outlines Key Learnings and Defines Success

During Women’s History Month 2026, Sands is featuring the women who help drive the company’s success and exemplify its culture of advancement and leadership. Shona Lowe joined Sands in 2004 as a pit manager in Macao and now serves as executive director, casino training and game development at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

Over the years, Lowe has held roles in casino management, training and operations. She discusses her career progress, outlines how she works to create impactful and supportive programs for Team Members, and defines what success means for her.

Describe your role and experience at Marina Bay Sands.

“I joined the company in 2004 as a pit manager during Sands China’s pre-opening days in Macao and progressed to shift manager, then training manager. I moved to Singapore to join Marina Bay Sands as training manager during its pre-opening days in 2009. For the past 16 years, I’ve held various roles within casino operations. I currently have responsibility for casino training, game development, the Team Member experience and casino liaison for Marina Bay Sands.

“Each of these roles come with their unique challenges, and Team Member liaison and Team Member experience are the most time-consuming aspects of my role. With around 3,000 Team Members to support, there are never enough hours in the day, but we do our best to address every situation that affects Team Members and find solutions.

“I have worked for many companies, but Marina Bay Sands is without doubt the best company that I have ever experienced. While I’m not sure that there’s a perfect company, I highly appreciate Marina Bay Sands’ efforts to continuously implement enhancements over the years. I also value being able to contribute to such a fast-paced and innovative department. To be a part of that positive change in such a dynamic environment is very rewarding for me.”

What resources, philosophies and experiences helped you build a successful career?

“I believe that one key to success is that we should not forget where we came from. I started in this business as a dealer. I still remember how it felt to do every role that led me to where I am today. I remember the things that made each role challenging, and the things that made each role easier. Now, I can use that knowledge and experience to look for ways to make our workplace better for everyone.

“I don’t put a great deal of emphasis on titles. Everyone has their part to play, and everyone has to start somewhere. I think one thing that helped me to succeed is understanding that we don’t become different or better people as our titles increase. We just have more opportunities to do damage or to do good. I think it’s important to choose to do good and do the right thing, and not just choose the easiest thing.

“I am quite proud of many of our initiatives, such as our lactation rooms for new mothers, our part-time program, various Team Member reward and recognition programs, and our ‘We Care’ approach to Team Member support. It’s really rewarding to have a positive impact and be able to help Team Members navigate life’s ups and downs.

“The ‘We Care’ approach means actually caring about Team Members’ issues. For example, when a resignation comes through the system, we don’t just process it. We speak to the Team Member. Sometimes we can retain them, either full-time or part-time, depending on what they need. We take the same approach for Team Members with poor attendance, as another example. We find out why, rather than just dismissing the issue and meting out disciplinary actions. Often there are reasons we can help with. On top of that, we find it’s the little things like the lactation room or the Team Member self-serve locker system that make a difference to our Team Members, especially those on shifts.

“I’ve been lucky to have the chance to implement hiring practices for people with disabilities (PWD). That’s been very rewarding for me. My training team has been integral in this program and has really gone “Above Beyond” to integrate PWDs into the workforce. I hope that inclusive hiring will increase on a broader scale over the next few years. Everyone is entitled to be given chances, and the dignity of working and providing for one’s family should not be underestimated.

“I think it’s almost impossible to achieve anything alone. I’m privileged to work with a core team of nine people, without whom I couldn’t accomplish most initiatives. From large-scale implementations to the simplest tasks, they are my support and my safety net. I hope that most see me as a mentor, but I have to say that I’ve learned so much from them that it’s probably an equal exchange.

“In addition, I’m fortunate to work within a management team that is incredibly supportive. Everyone pulls together. We may have different roles but we ultimately share the same goals. Despite the somewhat stressful nature of our business, there’s a lot of laughter in our office. Working with generous individuals is one of the biggest advantages to have in a workplace. Of course, this includes my direct managers who have shown me guidance, shared their knowledge and, most importantly, trusted me to do what is best and given me the flexibility and freedom to innovate without fear of failure.”

What are your ideas for empowering women in their careers?

“I think it’s important to know yourself and understand what you really want out of your career and your life. Chasing titles hoping the next level of the hierarchy will make you happy can be a mistake. I don’t think that separating work life from home life is easy. Therefore, if you are not happy at work, it is much more difficult to lead a fulfilling life overall.

“Often success is a word related only to title and salary. I don’t believe success brings happiness. I believe happiness is success. If a contented and happy life is not the end goal, then what is? If you’re happy, regardless of your title or your place in the hierarchy, you’re succeeding in life.

“It’s okay to have a very focused goal and work toward it. It’s also okay to see where life takes you. Everyone is different. There is no right or wrong. If you are not happy, then try to make a change. Ask for help and look for ways to learn so that you can improve your position. If you’re happy, don’t feel pressured to continually progress up the ladder, just for the sake of it.

“Never compromise your integrity. Find people who you can trust and help each other. Take enough time at each step of your career to gain full confidence. If you find mentors who help you to succeed, pay it forward. Forgive yourself for errors and move on to better things. If you manage people, allow room for mistakes and provide them a safety net to try new things without fear of repercussions.

“In short, understand what you want, surround yourself with good people, be a good person to work with and work hard. Appreciate what you have and share your time and knowledge. If you can achieve these things, I believe that success is inevitable.”