From Taking a Leap of Faith to Stepping into Leadership: My Inspiring Coupa Journey

Written by Bruno Ostan

Nine years ago, I arrived in Ireland with two suitcases, shaky English, and a dream to build a brighter future. Today, as Senior Operations Manager of Coupa’s Global Education Services & Enablement Team, I’ve learned that owning your path and lifting others leads to success.

Future Coupa interns, this blog is for you - to show how resilience and teamwork can shape an incredible career. I’ll share my journey from Technical Support Engineer to leadership, the lessons that drive me, and why Coupa’s values make it a place where you can grow and belong.

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Chasing Dreams with Grit

In Brazil, I dreamed of football, then banking, but financial hardships forced me to pivot. At 16, I worked as a messenger, studied nights, and walked 10km to afford college. In 2016, my wife and I moved to Ireland, where we knew no one and barely spoke English. Job rejections piled up due to my language skills and visa issues, but I owned my results, studying relentlessly and applying for roles. Seven months in, with savings gone, Coupa offered me a Technical Support Engineer role in 2017 - just as we prepared to leave. That moment showed me that when you keep pushing, you build tomorrow together with those who believe in you.

My advice: Interns, your challenges are opportunities - own them boldly.

Thriving Through Belonging at Coupa

Starting at Coupa, I struggled with English and learning our products but leaned into every task. My biggest hurdle was securing a work visa - rejections threatened my role. Yet, my team stepped up, exploring solutions until my visa was approved in September 2017. Their support made me feel I belonged, embodying Coupa’s value of cultivating belonging. From there, I grew - becoming a Manager in 2019, earning recognition for driving results, and recently stepping into a senior leadership role in 2025. Each step reinforced that success comes from collaboration.

My advice: Interns, you’ll find a community that lifts you - embrace it to shine.

Driving Success for Others

My visa sponsorship transformed my life, so I committed to driving success for all of us. As a Manager, I advocated for candidates needing visas, ensuring they had a fair shot. Sponsoring my first team member in 2019 was more rewarding than any personal milestone - watching them thrive fueled my purpose.

In 2023, I became an Irish citizen, a proud moment, but what matters most is helping others build their futures.

My advice: Interns, you can impact Coupa by supporting those around you - every small act builds a stronger tomorrow.

Conclusion

My Coupa journey—from a nervous newcomer to a leader—shows that owning your results, cultivating belonging, and driving success create growth. Future interns, your time at Coupa is a chance to take risks, connect, and shape the future. Live our values, stay resilient, and know that every step builds your story. I can’t wait to see how you’ll drive success for all of us.