When a plan you never made becomes the path you were meant for, life has a way of surprising you in the most extraordinary ways. For Jerilyn Leyble, that unexpected twist came when a simple job opportunity opened the door to the skies and forever changed the direction of her life.
What began as a stable career in the pharmaceutical industry eventually led her to become a Flight Purser for a leading airline in Dubai, a role she has held for two decades. Today, Jeri—known to many colleagues and friends simply by that name—stands as a seasoned aviation professional, a wife of 19 years, a mother of two boys, and an entrepreneur whose story blends faith, resilience, and purpose.
Finding her place 30,000 feet above the ground
Jeri didn’t originally set out to work abroad, let alone spend 20 years flying across continents. She graduated with a degree in BS Nursing and passed the board exams, but her first real step into the professional world began on the ground—as a Medical Representative for Roche Philippines and later for Novartis Healthcare. For six years, she excelled in that field, earning awards and travel incentives, all while supporting her family as the breadwinner.
Her life took a sharp turn when a Dubai-based medical company came to Manila to recruit employees. “Both my husband—who happened to be my boss at the time—and I were hired,” she recalled. That offer brought them to the UAE in December 2003. It was a chapter she never planned for, yet one that quietly set the stage for something even bigger.
A year later, her longtime dream resurfaced. She applied to one of Dubai’s leading airlines and got accepted. “Today, I work as a Flight Purser, and I’ve been with the company for 20 years now,” she said.
Her rise from a newly hired crew member to a purser stands as her proudest milestone. It wasn’t just about climbing ranks—it was about discovering who she was meant to become. “The highlight of my career has been growing from a newly hired crew member to a purser while traveling the world, meeting people from different cultures, and playing a role in creating memorable journeys for passengers.”
Serving with heart in the skies
Two decades into flying, Jeri’s love for her work has only deepened. For her, the magic of the job isn’t in the destinations, but in the moments when humanity shows itself in quiet, vulnerable ways.
“After 20 years of flying, what I appreciate most about my job as a flight attendant is the privilege of serving people at their most vulnerable moments—far from home, in unfamiliar skies,” she shared. Each flight is a chance to extend kindness, calm a weary traveler, comfort a nervous flyer, or simply offer the kind of warmth Filipinos are known for.
“This career has shaped who I am. It taught me resilience, grace under pressure, and the beauty of connecting with people from all cultures,” she said. The lessons she gathered from years in the cabin prepared her for another role she didn’t foresee: becoming an entrepreneur. Her brand Glowww—rooted in “confidence, compassion, and purpose”—was born from that journey.
“More than a job, flying has been a ministry and a mission,” she added. And it’s a mission she continues to carry out with gratitude.
Building a life abroad while holding on to faith
Leaving home wasn’t something Jeri initially desired, but the move to Dubai became the turning point that reshaped her family’s future. Growing up with a single mother, she understood the weight of responsibility early. Working overseas allowed her to rewrite what life could look like for her loved ones.
“One of the biggest benefits has been financial stability—the ability to support my family back home, build a secure future for my own household, and give my children opportunities I never had,” she said.
But life overseas also came with difficult seasons—loneliness, financial pressure, the demands of raising children far from family, and moments of doubt. Through it all, her husband became her anchor. “My husband has always been my greatest support—my steady voice of encouragement, my partner in every decision,” she shared.
Beyond her immediate family, her spiritual community became a lifeline. “I am deeply grateful for my spiritual family, who became our home away from home. They prayed for us, guided us, strengthened us, and reminded us of God’s faithfulness whenever life felt overwhelming.”
Those struggles, she said, molded her into someone stronger and more grounded. “They taught me resilience, humility, dependence on God, and the power of having a strong support system.”
Looking ahead with purpose
Even after 22 years abroad, Jeri and her family are still rooted in Dubai, a place her children consider home. At the same time, she is preparing for the future with intentionality and prayer.
She has already started building the foundation for life beyond aviation. “I’ve taken a step toward my long-term plans by starting my own skincare brand in the Philippines, and I’m hopeful and prayerful that it will continue to grow and succeed,” she shared.
Their family plans to stay in Dubai for as long as they feel called to be here. “We trust that God’s plan is always greater than ours, so we continue to pray, seek His direction, and entrust our future completely into His hands.”
Her advocacy moving forward is clear: to uplift women, especially Filipinas, in ways that nurture their confidence, identity, and sense of worth—whether through Glowww or through the simple acts of compassion she practices every day, whether on the ground or thousands of feet above it.
Her message to Filipinos chasing dreams abroad
From a woman who never planned to work overseas yet built her life there, Jeri offers words filled with experience and sincerity.
“To every Filipino working overseas, remember that you are stronger than you think,” she said. Being far from home, carrying responsibilities, and striving for a better future will never be easy—but the journey is meaningful.
She urges kababayans to stay anchored. “Stay grounded in faith. When challenges come, hold on to God’s promises. He is your provider, protector, and constant guide in a foreign land.”
She also emphasized financial responsibility, an often hard-earned lesson for many OFWs. “Take care of your finances wisely. Save, invest, and think long-term.”
And just as others have supported her, she encourages building a trustworthy circle. “Surround yourself with a strong support system—friends, spiritual family, or a community that uplifts you emotionally and spiritually. It makes all the difference.”
Above all, she reminds every OFW of their inherent value. “Never forget your worth. You are valued, you are capable, and you carry the strength, resilience, and warmth that Filipinos are known for worldwide.”
In many ways, Jeri’s journey isn’t just about flying. It’s about rising—through challenges, through change, through faith—and letting every twist in the story lead her exactly where she is meant to be.
