Transformations of Coupa Women through MEvolution’s Energy Booster
When one of the women at Coupa, who we’ll call Pam, first met Sarah from MEvolution, she was at her lowest mentally, physically, and emotionally. Pam was depressed, low energy, and feeling alone and desperate. Caring for her small children including homeschooling during the pandemic, plus taking care of her aging mother recently diagnosed with Alzheimers, and learning how to work remotely in a fast-paced technology job became too much. The pandemic was tough on everyone in many ways. But for women in business, many of whom were feeling just like Pam and who Coupa’s Empower Employee Resource Group was created to support and lift up, there was an opportunity to really change people’s lives for the better.
Sarah Deane, Founder of MEvolution, walked with Pam through the eight-week program of learning how to identify and plug up Pam’s energy leaks, identify and remove energy blockers, and really begin to thrive. MEvolution is a science-based personal growth system that measures and systematically increases human capacity by teaching employees how to manage, direct, and optimize their personal energy. When Pam came to the Empower leadership meeting to share her testimonial on the enormous impact and value that the MEvolution program and Sarah personally has had on her life, she literally could not stop smiling. She shared her story of transformation while beaming, saying that by taking care of herself, setting boundaries, and prioritizing her needs, she is better able to take care of everyone around her and is thriving in her career.
Gina Tesla, Coupa’s Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Chairperson of Empower, was inspired and knew she had the corporate responsibility to offer this service to other women at Coupa from all different departments and timezones. Gina’s vision also included the shared commitment with the recipient women of Empower’s + MEvolution’s program: to be accepted into the program was to also commit to giving back through volunteer service for 2-4 hours, kicked off through Coupa’s Global Impact Week. This is a week each December where Coupa will match monetary donations to charities and is meant to encourage employees to use up to 40 hours of Volunteer Time Off while highlighting and hearing from several charity organizations.
From January through March 2023, 20 additional selected Coupa women went through the guided program with Sarah and MEvolution, starting with a detailed and personal Energy Quiz that highlighted where each of the women had energy leaks, blockers, or opportunities. Through a weekly mix of live teachings by Sarah and group sharing of stories or eye-openers, each woman also went through a “choose-your-own-adventure” type of guided modules based on the Energy Quiz with recorded teachings and guided personal reflections to really dive into the root causes of certain beliefs and therefore actions and feelings. At the end of each week the women would fill out the same “Weekly Pulse” to gather data and trends on their energy, feelings, and intensity of those feelings. The results are undeniable! The majority of women were able to better handle challenging situations, felt less negatively, had less anxiety, had increased focus, and set better boundaries! And half of the participants even felt happier, more fulfilled and engaged at work.
These women, happier and more energized, became even MORE fulfilled by also giving back to their communities through their required acts of service. The resounding takeaway from each service write up was “It really makes you appreciate what you have, humbles you at how great the needs are, and inspires you to serve more regularly.” Some numbers on the impact this small group of 20 women made: 14,000 pounds of food packed, 1,000 Christmas gifts given to children in need, 185 families and seniors served boxes of non-perishables, 40 pounds of trash removed from the beach, 120 guests served a Christmas dinner, and many other wins. The women were filled with gratitude for being prompted and encouraged to give back, not only to help and sustain our world and communities, but for their own self-fulfillment and fun they received themselves.
Supporting each other around the world has never been more important. Coupa is proud of the many Employee Resource Groups it supports, including Empower, whose mission is to break down barriers to women’s success by creating a community working together to unleash the impact of women in business. Empower is thrilled to continue partnering with MEvolution and Sarah Deane to change and enrich the lives of women in business and all people around the world.
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.
In the world of product development, success isn’t the result of one hero’s solo mission. It’s about assembling a team of specialists—each with unique superpowers—who unite to tackle challenges, defend against bugs, and deliver experiences that delight users. Think of it as forming your very own Avengers™ team, where Product Management (PM), Development, Quality Engineering (QE), and User Experience ........(UX) team up to save the day
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.
I am Maggie Mae Joy, Senior Director of Product Management, supporting our Source-to-Contract and Spend Analysis product teams. I’ve been at Coupa since August 2013, based in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. I started my career out of college as a consultant supporting the SAP implementation of a global automotive warranty system for one of the big three. Leveraging that consulting experience, I joined Coupa as a Solution Architect, supporting our customers and partners in implementing the Coupa platform before transitioning into a Product Management role. What I enjoy most about working at Coupa is the opportunity to use my time here as a professional and personal growth platform. Coming to Coupa with a background in systems implementation allowed me to hit the ground running in my first position as a Solution Architect. Those skills and a deep passion for improving the user experience helped me take my career in a different direction and join the product team. Through Coupa’s incredibly supportive culture, I found mentors & leadership training that enabled my development in product management. As I’ve transitioned between supporting different product areas over the past eight years, I’ve continued to be challenged to expand my knowledge, learn new skills, and connect with more of the Coupa community.