Ever wonder what really happens behind the scenes of a Coupa hire? In Episode 4 of our Shaping What’s Next series, we're pulling back the curtain on the full hiring experience, from initial first outreach to first day on the job. In this episode, we give you three perspectives in the process: first a recently hired Coupanian, the recruiter who discovered her, and the hiring manager who made the final call. Together, they share the process from each of their vantage points. You’ll hear how curiosity, collaboration, and Coupa’s Core Values show up in every step, from a warm first conversation to that moment when it just “clicks.” If you’ve ever thought about joining Coupa, or if you're just curious how we approach finding and growing great talent, take a peek at this inside look. Watch Episode 4: The End-to-End Hiring Journey and see how we’re shaping what’s next, one hire at a time.

Recently, Coupa India welcomed Chief Human Resources Officer Susan Tohyama and Chief Product & Technology Officer Salvatore (“Salva”) Lombardo for an unforgettable week of connection, collaboration, and culture in full force. They engaged with teams across offices including over 120 employees who have joined Coupa in the Product and Technology organization. From lively Town Halls in Pune and Hyderabad, to innovation workshops and high-energy demo sessions, the visit celebrated what makes Coupa India a vital part of our global success story: a shared drive to innovate, build, and shape what’s next — together.

Coupanians around the world unite to give back during Global Impact Week 2025. At Coupa, we believe that business is a force for good — and our greatest impact comes from the people behind our technology. During Global Impact Week 2025, employees across the world came together to give back to their local communities, embodying our sustainability and impact commitments and showing what it means to be a purpose-driven, people-first company. A week of purpose in action From river clean-up in Tokyo to blood drives in Pune, food bank volunteering in Denver to animal shelter projects in Boston, supporting cancer patients in Dublin, every act of service reflected the same belief: when we care for our communities, we help create a more sustainable, connected world. Highlights from around the globe:: The Americas Atlanta, GA and Denver, CO: Volunteers cooked breakfasts at the Ronald McDonald House and supported local food banks, bringing warmth and nourishment to families in need. Boston, MA: Teams created care packages for shelter animals, combining creativity and kindness. Minneapolis, MN: Employees volunteered at a women’s shelter, cooking, cleaning, and serving meals to 28 women and children. Philadelphia, PA: More than 50 bins of clothing for children in need were sorted and packaged by Coupanians with Cradles to Crayons. San Diego, CA: Volunteers got their hands dirty at the Solana Environmental Center, weeding gardens, planting lavender, and testing rain barrels in support of sustainability. Bogotá and Medellín, Colombia: Our teams made a powerful impact — from packing essential food kits for local foundations supporting seniors and people with disabilities, to hosting a Life Purpose Talk with Fundación Alma Perruna on compassion and community. APAC Tokyo, Japan: Teams joined the Arakawa River Cleanup, removing hazardous waste and protecting their local environment. Singapore : Volunteers supported Willing Hearts, a soup kitchen, by providing meals to those in need, including the elderly, low-income families, people with disabilities, and migrant workers.

At Coupa, we’re proud to celebrate Stella Yen-Chiao Lee, recently named a 2025 Women in Supply Chain Award recipient by Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive . Recognized in the Trailblazers category, Stella was honored for her leadership, mentorship, and impact in shaping the future of supply chain. Her story is also a glimpse into life at Coupa and shaping your career — where your ideas, expertise, and passion can spark real change. We asked Stella to share her thoughts on this amazing recognition. What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? It’s humbling to have my work recognized in a field I care deeply about. Personally, it’s inspiring to be celebrated alongside so many talented women who are shaping the future of supply chain. Professionally, it’s a reminder of how far I’ve come and the impact I can make. It motivates me to keep growing, learning, and supporting other women in the supply chain community. Looking back, what experiences or mentors shaped your leadership journey? When I joined Coupa (formerly LLamasoft) in 2011, we were still a small company growing quickly. I was asked to step into a project lead role before I felt ready. That challenge pushed me to stretch beyond my comfort zone, learn fast, and build confidence. I was also lucky to have leaders who trusted, mentored and encouraged me to speak up. That early trust gave me confidence in my perspective and shaped how I lead today: I believe in staying curious, empowering my team, and embracing growth through new challenges. What advice would you share with women early in their careers? Say yes to opportunities, even if they’re out of your comfort zone. Stay curious and ask questions. And remember that supply chain touches everything — the more you connect with people across teams and functions, the stronger you’ll become as a leader. What excites you most about the future of supply chain? The pace of change. With AI, real-time data, and optimization tools like Coupa’s Supply Chain Guru, we’re not just reacting — we’re predicting and planning. That creates opportunities to be more efficient, more resilient, and more sustainable. It’s an exciting time to be part of this industry. How do you see your role — and Coupa — driving the future of supply chain? For me, “building tomorrow together” is about teamwork. At Coupa, we’re constantly learning from our customers and each other. My role is to stay close to the real-world challenges our customers face and make sure those insights flow back into our products. That feedback loop means we’re always improving — and that together, we’re shaping what’s next for supply chain. Why it matters? Stella’s recognition comes on the heels of Coupa being named #16 on Fast Company’s 2025 Best Workplaces for Innovators . Both honors highlight a common denominator: our people. Coupanians are at the heart of what makes our company a great place to work. From supply chain innovation to employee-led initiatives, we’re helping shape what’s next. Ready to shape what’s next in your career? Explore opportunities at Coupa Careers and join our Talent Community to stay connected.

At Coupa, belonging isn’t an initiative—it’s a value we live every day in our personal and professional lives. One of our key Coupa Core Values–Cultivating Belonging–reflects a fundamental truth: when people feel seen and supported, they exude confidence, clarity, and the courage to grow. That’s not just good for our people—it’s good for innovation, business, and the communities we serve. As our Coupa CEO Leagh Turner puts it: “Cultivating Belonging is about creating the space where growth is possible for every person. That’s how we build a better company—and a better experience for everyone in it.” This values-based approach drives our Coupa Empower Employee Resource Group, dedicated to unlocking the impact of women in business. One of its most transformative initiatives? A powerful partnership with MEvolution, a science-based energy management program designed to help individuals reclaim their wellbeing, purpose, and power. From Burnt out to Breakthrough - MEvolution When “Pam,” a Coupa employee, joined the MEvolution Energy Booster program, she was overwhelmed—balancing remote work, motherhood, and caregiving during the COVID pandemic. Through MEvolution’s eight-week guided experience, she learned to identify energy leaks, set boundaries, and prioritize her needs. The result? A smiling, re-energized woman who said, “Taking care of myself helped me take better care of everyone else—and thrive in my career.” Inspired by this impact, the program was extended to 20 women across time zones and functions. These participants didn’t just learn to manage their energy—they transformed how they show up at work and in life. They reported better focus, reduced anxiety, stronger boundaries, and greater happiness and fulfillment. One key ingredient? A commitment to give back, paired with the program’s completion. Together, these women served over 185 families, packed 14,000 lbs of food, gifted 1,000 Christmas presents, and more—proving that personal energy and purpose-driven impact go hand in hand. Programs like MEvolution truly humble you to see the needs out there—and inspire you to serve more regularly. As we explore other ways to give back, the energy and impact that MEvolution sparked continues to resonate. It showed us what’s possible when individuals are empowered to care for themselves and others. At Coupa, we carry that spirit forward—supporting initiatives that help our people grow, give back, and shape what’s next with purpose and compassion. Women Leading With Wisdom Beyond great initiatives such as MEvolution, our Coupa women are breaking barriers and shaping what’s next—in engineering, legal, product, technology, and beyond. Their voices are helping redefine success and leadership with authenticity, resilience, and strength. Amy Sweeney, CIO: “You don’t have to have the perfect background. You set your mind, work hard, and do it your way.” Michelle Bonam, VP Talent Strategy: “You get sponsors by cultivating relationships, and you develop these relationships through the little things you do”. Priya Gopinath, VP Engineering: “Your uniqueness is your strength, and your confidence is your superpower.”  These women are a testament that leadership comes in many forms—and that when we create space for authenticity, we unlock powerful results. What’s Next? Coupa’s commitment to empowering women isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about building a culture where everyone can rise. We’re continuing to expand programs like MEvolution, investing in ERGs like Empower, and fostering environments where feedback, sponsorship, and leadership development are part of the everyday experience. If you’re looking for a workplace that champions growth, equity, and purpose—not just for women, but for everyone—we invite you to learn more about life at Coupa. Because when women thrive, we all rise. Want to learn more? Check out Coupa Careers and join our vibrant Talent Community.

In India, we often use the word “fresher” to describe recent graduates or candidates with minimal work experience. This term can also apply to someone moving into a field where they don’t yet have direct experience. What freshers bring is energy, curiosity, and potential—but guidance and mentoring for this early in career talent helps them make that transition much smoother into a corporate environment. As a recruiter with a Bachelor’s in IT and over five years in talent acquisition, I’ve worked with “fresh” graduates and seasoned professionals. Having sat on both sides of the table myself, I’ve seen how small details can make or break an interview. Here are some lessons I wish every fresher knew—shared from real moments in my recruiting journey. Resume hygiene is non-negotiable 📝  I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen resumes with typos in email IDs (yes, “gamil.com” instead of “gmail.com”), or resumes saved in a format the system couldn’t read. I’ve had to pass on strong candidates simply because their details never came through the ATS. What I tell freshers: Save your resume as Word or PDF, use clean fonts, and always double-check your contact details. Even the file name matters—Richa_Kadam_Resume.pdf looks far more professional than just Resume.pdf. Do your homework 🔍 I once asked a candidate why they wanted to join our company, and the answer was: “I don’t know much about what you do.” Compare that to someone who said, “I was impressed by your recent product launch in AI—it aligns with my final-year project.” Who do you think stood out more? Lesson: A little research on the company’s website, products, and values makes you memorable and shows genuine interest. Projects speak louder than marks💡 Grades matter, but in interviews, your projects and internships tell the real story. I’ve seen resumes that simply list “E-commerce Website” and leave it at that. But one candidate wrote: “Built a responsive e-commerce app using React & MySQL—reduced load time by 30%.” That one line showed me their skills, initiative, and impact. Takeaway: Don’t just say what you did—show the results.

At Coupa, celebrating our people is part of our culture. Whether it’s driving innovation behind the scenes or stepping up in moments that matter, we recognize and reward those who go above and beyond to help us shape what’s next. That’s why the Coupa India Leadership Team created the Extra Mile Award —a quarterly recognition that honors individuals who demonstrate excellence, resilience, and impact. It celebrates those whose contributions drive results, inspire teams, and embody our Coupa Core Values. This quarter, we’re proud to recognize two standout engineers whose dedication helped lead a global rollout to success: Sourabh Jagadale and Sayan Acharjee. Their work on deploying the Pulse Agent for Elasticsearch observability demonstrates what it means to combine deep technical skill with strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration. Joining forces, Sourabh and Sayan helped the Coupa engineering teams get better insights into how the system is performing, detecting issues faster and more proactively.

As the global economy continues to evolve, Coupa is at the forefront—transforming how companies make decisions and trade with one another. From automating workflows to optimizing entire supply networks, we’re building a new intelligent enterprise platform powered by agentic AI. But equally important is having the right people in place to guide this transformation and vision. We recently sat down with Salvatore Lombardo, Coupa’s Chief Product & Technology Officer, to talk about his AI vision, the company’s compelling data advantage, and why now is a career-defining opportunity for engineers to help us build tomorrow together. What drew you to Coupa? Salvatore: After leading product and engineering for global procurement platforms for many years, I saw an inflection point coming—where AI, data, and cloud-native architecture could converge to fundamentally reshape how companies make decisions and operate. I joined Coupa almost a year ago because it was clear this was the place to turn that vision into reality. Coupa had the foundation: a unified platform, deep domain expertise, and a uniquely rich dataset built from real spend transactions across a global network. What we’re building now isn’t incremental—it’s a new operating model for enterprise decision-making. One powered by agentic AI, fueled by trusted data, and designed to help businesses move faster, collaborate smarter, and create lasting value. This is the most exciting time to be a part of Coupa. We’re scaling fast and seeking talent that wants to shape not just a product but build a platform and lead the industry.

At Coupa, building a great career means more than just doing your job well—it’s about being seen, celebrated, and supported along the way. Whether you're driving impact on a major project or stepping up to help a teammate, we believe every meaningful contribution deserves recognition. That’s why our Coupa India Leadership Team introduced its Standout Performer Award. This award spotlights those who consistently go above and beyond—delivering results, living our Coupa Core Values, and helping shape what’s next for the company. We recently awarded Standout Performer Awards to 4 inspiring Coupanians: Krati Bansal, Sanket Golar, Bhavesh Soni and Surendra Cheedella.