Growing at Coupa as an AI Trainer
Hello everyone, My name is Alex Moon, AI Trainer, at AI Center of Excellence in Foster City. I’ve been at Coupa since September 2022. I started my career as a Korean Knowledge Graph Curator, curating Korean language data to train Siri model, then went onto Tesla’s Autopilot team, organizing and annotating 3D image data to train Autopilot Neural Net. As an AI Trainer, the team and I analyze and organize Coupa’s $6T anonymized data to provide spending and saving insight, supplier recommendation, supplier diversity and track emission to meet the ESG goal, and fraudulent charge detection (Spend Guard). We are also working on output testing for LLM implementation to build Coupa’s Chatbot, Coupa Navi and Contract Intelligence platform. What I love the most about Coupa is working with extremely smart PM, Data Scientists, and Engineers to develop Coupa’s AI and GenAI product. I also really enjoy Coupa’s flexibility in working schedule and location as a remote-first company, and Coupa’s diverse team makes me feel at home while having ownership and responsibility of training our AI models.
I also serve as the Vice Chair for Coupa Exceed, Coupa’s Asian Pacific Islander employee resource group, where we host fireside chats, training and workshops, and happy hours to promote cultural enrichment and awareness, empowerment of Coupa’s global API community and encourage growth through mentorship. Coupa Exceed allowed me to create a company-wide impact as an early career professional for our Global audience. Coupa also has 5 other ERGs serving women, Veterans, the African-American community, the teams with disability/abilities, and the LGBTQ+ community, so you can find a group that resonates with you. My goal is to create a safe and brave space for the API community to have open conversations about identity, growth, and leadership and make them feel at home, so we invite you to join Coupa Exceed once you join us!
Coupa’s DEI and Learning and Development (L&D) team actively looks for programs to provide learning opportunities through training programs, certification programs through Udemy, and discussion groups. I am part of McKinsey’s Asian Leadership Essentials program, learning business principles, connecting with external API leaders, and learning Python and SQL through Udemy. My supporting manager even encourages me to block time on my calendar to dedicate to learning. This makes me feel that Coupa is really a place for self-actualization while growing with the company.
Coupa is the first company where senior and C-suite leaders make time to converse and welcome you with open arms! You are only one Slack, email, or knock on the door away from getting mentorship and advice on navigating growth at Coupa and creating a network to support you. Coupa has a #CoupaCafe Slack channel where you will be matched with someone new every week, and through this, I've connected with folks from sales, services, product, and engineering leaders to learn about their journey and career paths. Connecting with diverse Coupanians in global geolocation helped me understand Coupa's structure and functions, which I wouldn't have visibility for otherwise.
In closing, Coupa has opened opportunities to work on AI projects that use both traditional and cutting edge AI technologies with smartest and nicest team, create a safe space for you with 6 ERGs to empower you, provide learning opportunities through certification platforms and training programs, and mentor and coach you to maximize your growth. I hope you join Coupa and we can walk this path together!
Growth happens when the right people connect with meaningful opportunities. In the latest episode of Shaping What’s Next at Coupa , host Len Abbazia sits down with Christian Le Loux, Director of Talent Acquisition for India and APAC, to talk about the future of hiring, the role of storytelling in building trust with candidates, and why this is an exciting moment for talent in the region. Originally from Australia and now based in Singapore, Christian has spent much of his career building global talent teams across industries including technology, consulting, and financial services. What drives him most is helping organizations grow by connecting people to meaningful work. Since joining Coupa, one thing has stood out right away: the culture. “There’s a strong sense of trust here,” Christian shares. “Leaders want ideas, debate, and progress.” That environment creates space for innovation while staying grounded in values, something Christian believes is essential for building strong teams and meaningful careers. The conversation also explores how the future of talent acquisition is evolving with AI and technology. For Christian, those tools are most powerful when they enable people to focus on what matters most. “The future of talent acquisition isn’t less human but even more human, supported by smarter tools.” For candidates considering opportunities in India and APAC, Christian says the timing couldn’t be better. “This is a moment of momentum. People joining now have the opportunity to help shape how teams grow and how the region contributes globally.” Watch Episode 5: Meet the TA Leader - Christian Le Loux.
Three leaders. Three career stages. One shared impact. Supply & Demand Chain Executive’s Pros to Know awards recognize leaders whose work both keeps supply chains moving and reshapes how the industry thinks, plans, and leads. This year, Coupa is proud to celebrate Mark Schenecker, Nari Viswanathan, and Lucas de Brito. These three pros are at different points in their careers but united by a common thread: turning complexity into clarity and impact.
For our Coupa India campus interns, they don’t just observe innovation but get to experience it firsthand. From collaborating with engineers to contributing to real projects, interns gain a deeper understanding of how technology, teamwork, and culture come together to build solutions that matter. We recently asked a group of our Coupa India campus interns a simple question: “What is something you discovered about Coupa while working on your project?” Their responses highlight what makes the Coupa experience unique.
At Coupa, appreciation is built into the way we work and spend time with friends and family. As organizations around the world recently recognized Employee Appreciation Day, Coupanians across the globe marked the moment in a meaningful way: by stepping away from work to recharge during our Spring Wellness Day. Everything innovation, milestone, and customer win at Coupa is powered by our people. Wellness Days are one way we recognize that truth, giving employees the time and space to rest, reset, and invest in the well-being that makes long-term success possible. Appreciation That Goes Beyond Words For Susan Tohyama, Coupa’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Wellness Days reflect a deeper commitment to putting people first. “Our Wellness Days are more than just a break in the calendar; they are a reflection of our people-first culture. True well-being isn’t just about the absence of work. It’s more about the presence of self-care, family and friends, and the things that refuel your soul and let your brain breathe.” It’s a reminder that appreciation doesn’t always come through big announcements or awards. Sometimes, the most meaningful way to recognize people is to give them the time they need to pause and recharge. Across the Coupa Village, employees used the day in their own ways by reconnecting with family and friends, spending time outdoors, pursuing hobbies, or simply stepping away from the constant pace of work.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month , we’re recognizing the women who help shape Coupa every day, not only through leadership roles, but through mentorship, advocacy, collaboration, and the many contributions that often happen behind the scenes. In this special episode of Shaping What’s Next at Coupa , guest host Kiri Christensen , representing Coupa’s Empower Employee Resource Group , sits down with Cindy Yi, Senior Vice President of Global HR Business Partners , to explore the theme of this year’s celebration: Leading the Change. Their conversation goes beyond titles and career paths to talk about the people and moments that shape leadership. Cindy reflects on the leaders who influenced her journey and shares a perspective that resonates across organizations: when people feel supported, challenged, and connected, businesses perform better. The episode also shines a light on the idea of “Unsung Heroines,” the mentors, problem-solvers, and team builders whose impact may not always be visible but is foundational to a strong culture. As Cindy explains, recognizing those contributions matters because it expands how we define leadership and impact. “Leadership doesn’t always come from titles or visibility. When we celebrate mentorship, collaboration, and quiet leadership, we reinforce the behaviors that make organizations great.” The conversation also explores the importance of thoughtful courage, the willingness to ask important questions and contribute perspectives that move conversations forward, regardless of title or tenure. And at the heart of it all is a simple but powerful truth: when people feel their voices and contributions matter, they’re empowered to do their best work. That’s what helps organizations grow, innovate, and shape what’s next. Watch Episode 6: Women’s History Month: Unsung Heroines.
Meaningful progress is driven by people who take ownership, collaborate deeply, and consistently raise the bar for what’s possible. Each month, Coupa’s India Leadership Team recognizes individuals who exemplify our values through the Standout Performer Award . This recognition celebrates Coupanians whose contributions make a tangible impact on our teams, our customers, and the business while living our values to Drive Success for #AllOfUs, Own Our Results, Cultivate Belonging, and Build Tomorrow Together. We’re proud to spotlight our December 2025 India Standout Performer Award winners, whose work reflects the heart of Coupa’s culture: proactive, innovative, and people-centered. Meet the winners:
At Coupa, we believe that progress happens because of people who go beyond what’s expected to drive impact, support others, and help shape what’s next. That’s why recognition is such an important part of our culture. As part of our continued commitment to celebrating standout contributions across the business, Coupa’s India Leadership Team recognizes employees each quarter through the Extra Mile Award . This award honors individuals who exemplify our values: Drive Success for #AllOfUs, Own Our Results, Cultivate Belonging, and Build Tomorrow Together through meaningful, real-world impact. We’re proud to spotlight our Q4 2025 India Extra Mile Award winners , whose dedication and leadership continue to raise the bar for excellence at Coupa. Meet the winners:
Leading Change Through Everyday Impact As we kick off Women’s History Month , our Coupa Empower employee resource group is honoring the women whose leadership, influence, and care move our teams, culture, and communities forward — often in ways that aren’t always visible. This year’s theme, Leading the Change , recognizes the builders, mentors, problem-solvers and quiet leaders whose impact shapes how we grow and work together. The Unsung Heroines program highlights employees whose journeys, advocacy, and influence create lasting progress — not just for Coupa, but for the people around them. These are the stories that remind us that recognition isn’t a single moment. It's something we build into our culture every day.
As we welcome the Year of the Fire Horse, our global village comes together to celebrate Lunar New Year — a moment for renewal, reflection, and bold forward momentum for #AllOfUs. This year’s celebration is led by our Coupa Exceed Employee Resource Group, whose leadership continues to create space for cultural connection, shared learning, and deeper belonging across our communities. Through its programming and storytelling, Exceed ERG helps turn moments like this into meaningful global experiences for all Coupanians. In the lunar zodiac, the Horse symbolizes energy, progress, and determination. The Fire element brings passion, visibility, and transformation. That spirit comes to life in how Exceed leads this celebration: Moving with purpose Amplifying voices and traditions Bringing our global community closer together From red envelopes and reunion dinners to travel, lanterns, and time with loved ones, Lunar New Year reminds us that while our backgrounds may be different, the values that connect us are shared.
Engineers at Coupa are shaping what’s next, through code, curiosity, impact, and a shared commitment to building better systems for people and businesses. In celebration of Engineers Week 2026, we asked a few of our engineers how they’re transforming the future: their own, Coupa’s, and the communities we serve. Their answers reflect a profession grounded in purpose, growth, and possibility.