“Don’t Feel Guilty for Taking Time for Yourself”
Laura Padilla, the Senior VP of Channels and Alliances at Freshworks, says, burnout helps no one, and the more you take care of yourself, the better you’ll be in every other aspect of your life
Can you share your journey into the technology world? What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
I’ve always been drawn to fast-paced, dynamic industries where you can see real impact. My career started in finance and international business, but I quickly realized that technology was where I wanted to be. The ability to build something from the ground up, solve real customer problems, and scale businesses fascinated me.
Over the years, I’ve worked across SaaS, enterprise software, and hardware, helping companies from startups to billion-dollar enterprises to grow and adapt. What keeps me excited is the constant innovation and the opportunity to empower both customers and partners with better solutions.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced as a woman, and how did you overcome them?
Like many women in tech, I’ve had moments where I had to work harder to be taken seriously. Early in my career, I was often the only woman in the room, and that came with its own set of challenges. I had to learn how to advocate for myself, speak up confidently, and prove my value through results.
Over time, I realized that trying to fit into a traditional mold wasn’t necessary, leaning into my own leadership style and building strong relationships helped me gain credibility and drive change. I also made it a point to seek out mentors and a strong support network, which made all the difference.
How do you describe your leadership style, and how has it evolved over time?
I’d say my leadership style is a mix of collaboration and results-driven decision-making. I believe in empowering my team by giving them trust, autonomy, and the right tools to succeed. Over the years, I’ve learned that being a leader isn’t just about making decisions, it’s about listening. The best ideas often come from the people closest to the problem, and great leaders create an environment where those ideas can surface and thrive.
What strategies do you use to motivate and empower your team?
First and foremost, I make time for my team and our partners. Understanding what they need, whether it’s support, resources, or just someone to listen, helps me remove roadblocks and set them up for success. I also believe in setting ambitious but achievable goals and celebrating wins, no matter how small. Motivation comes from clarity, purpose, and recognition, so I always try to ensure my team knows the impact of their work and feels valued for it.
Have you had any mentors or role models who have significantly influenced your career? How did they impact your journey?
Absolutely. Mentorship has been one of the most valuable aspects of my career. I’ve been lucky to learn from leaders who challenged me to think bigger, helped me navigate difficult transitions, and encouraged me to take on new challenges. The best mentors don’t just give advice, they push you to see beyond your comfort zone and help you believe in your own potential. That’s something I try to pass on to others as well. Some of my mentors also gave me “tough love” advice at times that made me improve as a leader.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter the technology world?
Go for it, and don’t second-guess yourself. It’s easy to feel like you need to have everything figured out before taking the next step, but the reality is that no one does. Take risks in your career as well. I always took roles where my scope grew and challenged me to learn new areas of the business.
Sometimes, I was nervous since I was not well versed in it but it helped me gain larger responsibilities and perspectives. Find mentors, build your network, and never stop learning. Technology is an ever-evolving industry, and the most successful people are those who stay curious and adaptable. Also, remember that your perspective is valuable, diversity in thought and experience makes businesses stronger, so don’t be afraid to bring your unique ideas to the table.
Can you highlight some of your proudest achievements in your career so far?
I’ve had the opportunity to help take three companies public and grow them to a $1B+ business: Riverbed, Box, Nutanix and Zoom. I feel I gained a PhD in scaling and growing a high-tech business. I learned so much from those experiences – both good and bad. Many mistakes were made along the way that also inform my decisions now. I have also built several global partner programs from scratch and drove the partner business at Zoom to over $500M.
Navigating a global pandemic, growing a team to over 300 people and maintaining a positive team culture was one of my greatest accomplishments. We are also revamping Freshworks’ channel program and making it more efficient and impactful. As a result, we hit our highest channel bookings in company history in Q4 2024. But beyond the numbers, my biggest achievements are the teams I’ve built and the people I’ve mentored. I love seeing others grow and succeed.
How do you manage work-life balance, and what tips do you have for other women striving to achieve this balance?
I won’t pretend it’s always easy, balance is something I constantly work on. But I’ve learned that being intentional with my time is key. I focus on what truly moves the needle, set boundaries, and delegate when needed. I also make sure to prioritize things that recharge me, whether that’s spending time with family, traveling, or just unplugging for a bit.
My advice? Don’t feel guilty for taking time for yourself. Burnout helps no one, and the more you take care of yourself, the better you’ll be in every other aspect of your life. I also make time to be present for my family and give them my undivided attention. It is the quality of time spent vs the quantity.
