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. 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.

As a Senior Product Manager, I’m fortunate to be at the crossroads of technology, leadership, and strategy. My focus is on harnessing the power of AI-driven solutions to transform business spend management. This journey is about more than just implementing cutting-edge technology — it’s about creating meaningful solutions that make a real difference for businesses and their people. Throughout my career, I’ve discovered that the key to true innovation is a deep understanding of business needs and user experiences. AI is revolutionizing business spend management, and its potential is immense — not just in its technology but in how it’s strategically applied with leadership, collaboration, and real-world impact. AI: A Game Changer for Business Spend Management AI has the ability to revolutionize how businesses approach financial management. It goes beyond automating repetitive tasks — it empowers organizations to make smarter, more data-driven decisions that align with their strategic goals. By analyzing vast amounts of data in real-time, AI uncovers valuable spending patterns, predicts future trends, and provides actionable insights that can shape success. What excites me most is that AI doesn’t just help businesses save money — it enables them to strategically invest their resources for greater impact. AI creates opportunities for businesses to allocate spend with purpose, whether for innovation, optimization, or securing a brighter future. This transformation is what fuels my passion — helping organizations become more efficient and focused on long-term success. Bridging Engineering and Business Management In my role, I have the privilege of bridging the technical brilliance of engineering with the strategic vision of business management. I work closely with engineering teams to transform complex technical concepts into intuitive, user-friendly solutions that solve real-world business challenges. This collaboration requires a deep understanding of both technology and user needs, and I take pride in making that connection seamless. Equally important is working alongside business leaders to ensure our AI solutions are perfectly aligned with the organization’s overarching goals. The challenge is to blend technical excellence with business relevance, and I’m driven by the rewarding task of turning ideas into solutions that deliver measurable results. Leadership with Empathy: Fostering Innovation I truly believe that technology alone is only part of the equation — leadership is what drives true, sustainable innovation. I lead with empathy, fostering an environment where collaboration thrives, and every team member feels heard, valued, and empowered. Compassionate leadership isn’t just about managing — it’s about inspiring teams to bring their best ideas forward and trust in a shared vision. By creating a culture of open communication, I’m able to draw out the best in every team member. Encouraging collaboration and creativity allows us to innovate together and deliver solutions that exceed expectations. This approach doesn’t just lead to successful products — it creates a vibrant atmosphere where everyone feels motivated and empowered to contribute. Looking Ahead: The Future of AI in Business Spend Management The future of AI in business spend management is filled with immense promise. As AI continues to evolve, so will its ability to predict trends, automate processes, and provide deeper, more insightful data. The real opportunity lies in applying AI in ways that support the broader objectives of the organization. Our mission is powerful: to develop AI solutions that are not just cutting-edge but deeply user-centric, driving transformative business outcomes and fueling long-term growth. The future of business spend management is about pushing the boundaries of technology while staying deeply connected to the human needs behind it. Conclusion AI is transforming the landscape of business spend management in exciting and positive ways, and I’m thrilled to be part of this transformation. Through purposeful product management, compassionate leadership, and a strong commitment to collaboration, I’m dedicated to developing AI-driven solutions that not only increase efficiency but also empower organizations to make smarter, more strategic decisions. Looking ahead, I’m filled with excitement and optimism, knowing that the work we’re doing today is setting the stage for lasting change tomorrow. It’s a mission that motivates me each and every day — to help organizations unlock the full potential of AI to drive success, innovation, and sustainable growth.

Coupa recently refreshed its core values to reflect the new chapter of Coupa, which includes its branding, vision, mission, and new leadership team. Two learning consultants with Coupa for nearly four years shed some light on what these refreshed values mean to them. Matt Daack, Sr. Manager of Learning & Development, is based out of Missouri and is a member of our veterans employee resource group, Encourage. Before Coupa, he spent 25 years in the Air Force as a pilot and organizational leader. Kristi Gay, Sr. Manager of Education & Training, is a member of Empower, Coupa’s women’s employee resource group and is based out of Wisconsin. Before Coupa she spent 20 years as an engineering manager and programmer at a scale manufacturing company.

There are many great benefits to working at Coupa, and one that truly makes a difference is our robust Volunteer Time Off. While many companies and organizations encourage employees to take time off to volunteer, offering at least 8 hours a year, Coupa provides a generous 40 hours - a whole week. This extended time allows our employees to make a significant impact in their communities, and many Coupanians across the globe are proud of the difference they are making. Here’s why they love this robust benefit and how they give back:

Coupa Engineering has reaped tremendous benefits from integrating automation into the testing strategy, resulting in reduced effort and timelines for delivering a higher-quality product. These advantages stem from Coupa's top-down transformation approach based on the “Three R” pillars of Reliability, Repeatability & Reusability, thereby increasing quality, productivity & cost optimization. The primary benefits of automation, including test reusability, expanded test coverage, and earlier feedback and bug detection, are driving engineers and organizations to shift away from manual efforts. Automation surpasses manual testing by simulating simultaneous users and requests on applications, including calls from various platforms and devices, which is nearly impossible to achieve manually. However, this transition is not an overnight task, as engineers need to overcome numerous challenges, from designing a strategy to acquiring the necessary knowledge, skillsets, and tools. Coupa’s Top-Down Transformation Approach Coupa Quality Engineering took this challenge and evolved a transformation approach based on the “Three R” pillars . As depicted below, with each transformation in our Top-Down Approach, we encapsulate benefits of the previous stage along with additional benefits derived from the transition stage, thereby making it a more and more effective and efficient approach to follow-on.

Steve Taylor, VP of Inclusion and Impact, shares his inspiring journey from program developer to human resources. “It’s been a tapestry of experiences,” he says. Read on. I started my career as a program developer, working closely with our customers. I had the opportunity to collaborate with various clients, including Coupa, which sparked my passion for customer interaction. I enjoyed what I did immensely; however, as time passed, I felt a shift in my journey calling me toward a new challenge—a pivot to the support side of our organization. The turning point in my career came unexpectedly. During a casual encounter, I met Susan Toyhama, our Chief Human Resources Officer, and we started conversing while preparing for an upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Day presentation. That conversation opened up new ideas and perspectives on what inclusion and diversity genuinely mean to me. My passion became clear: connecting with people, understanding different cultures, and championing their stories. Soon after, an opportunity arose for a Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) expert role. My curiosity was piqued, and rather than jumping in headfirst, I sought the counsel of my trusted circle—my wife, friends, family, and mentors. However, a conversation with a general, who has become a dear friend, ultimately shaped my decision. He encouraged me by saying, “This is the perfect job for you. You have a natural ability with people and communication. You can’t pass this opportunity up.” For three months, I weighed the decision, ultimately realizing that it was my duty—my requirement as a human—to help my brothers and sisters grow and learn. The only thing holding me back was the misconception that HR wasn’t for me. I had my doubts, but eventually, I understood that this role was about more than just policies and procedures; it was about connecting with individuals and making a difference in their lives. Although navigating this new terrain felt natural and unnatural at times, it was clear that my purpose aligns with the job: talking to people, listening to their stories, and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. It is an honor and a privilege to have the platform to engage with diverse perspectives and to create a positive impact in our organization. Ultimately, my journey has taught me that embracing opportunity often requires stepping outside your comfort zone. My passion lies in the world of inclusion and impact, and I look forward to the road ahead, filled with meaningful conversations and lasting connections.

What an incredible week we had! Thanks to the passion and dedication of our amazing Coupa family, we celebrated Global Impact Week like never before! With 13 countries participating and 38 local-led events, we exceeded last year’s participation with over 500 employees stepping up to make a positive change. We truly could not have done this without each and every one of you—thank you! Here are some of the highlights that made this week so special:

Q & A from our Sales Team

Most people at Coupa say they love this company because of the great culture and joy of working with “The Village,” a term referring to our global workforce. This year, we are double-clicking on what behaviors make that culture thrive by creating nine “Leadership Competencies,” or ways we want to interact with each other regardless of your title, background, team, or length of time at Coupa.