Celebrating Women’s History Month: stories from our Women in Automation community

Every career path is shaped by experiences, inspirations, and the people we meet along the way. In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting four incredible women from our Women in Automation global people unity council. We spoke with Andra Buică, Principal AI Solution Engineer based in the UK; Chantel Yap, Customer Success Manager in Singapore; Michaela Rosenmayer, Program Manager for the Academic Alliance in the U.S.; and Subhashree (Subha) Mohan, Head of HR in India.

Together, they bring stories shaped by different roles, regions, and life journeys—spanning AI, education, customer experience, and human resources. As working moms, caregivers, career switchers, and lifelong learners, each of them carries a unique perspective on what it means to grow, lead, and thrive in tech—all while staying deeply connected to the people and communities they care for. Their shared passion? Building inclusive, empowering workplaces where everyone can belong.

What inspired you to pursue a career in tech/AI and automation? Was there a defining moment or person that influenced you?

Andra: I believe my path towards AI and automation began long before I understood the terms. As a child, I was better in school at math and science, and fascinated by data in general—it seemed that with the right amount of data you could find the right answers to about anything. I recall, for instance, around 7-8 years old, while watching television contests, I would document participant performance, essentially performing rudimentary data analysis to predict eliminations before the commercial breaks (and funnily enough, I had a pretty good accuracy).

Honestly, I've always had a strong aversion to repetitive, boring tasks. I'm someone who thrives on problem-solving and finding more efficient ways to do things (even if that takes longer than actually doing the work 😀). That really came to hand in my first role as a Data Analyst. I found myself doing the same couple of steps weekly within a report, and after the fifth week, I just thought, “We can be smarter about this.” With an incredibly supportive manager, I took on the task of trying to automate the process. It took about three weeks of focused effort, but it was incredibly rewarding. Not only did it free up my time, but it also allowed our entire team to shift our focus to more strategic and exciting projects, expanding our team’s scope. That experience really solidified my passion for automation. It was a clear sign that this was the field where I belonged.

Chantel: My first experience in the tech industry came from using an audience engagement platform at an event. I was amazed by how such a simple, intuitive tool could drive meaningful interaction—especially in Asia, where people may be less outspoken in large settings. Whether in schools or corporate town halls, the platform encouraged participation in a way that felt natural and inclusive. That sparked my curiosity about the impact of tech in shaping human engagement, and I knew I wanted to be part of that space. I’ve always enjoyed working directly with people, and being in a Customer Success role lets me do that while championing products I truly believe in—like here at UiPath!

Michaela: I came into tech through a complete career switch. I earned my master’s degree in Atmospheric Science from State University of New York System (SUNY)—Albany and began my career as a private flight planner and meteorologist. After a few years in that role, I was ready for something different and a new challenge. I reconnected with a UiPath employee I had met during a college internship, who encouraged me to take the Introduction to Automation course on the Academy platform. Once I completed this course, I saw immense value in UiPath and continued my learning journey. This experience ultimately led me to a role as a Junior Program Manager with the Academic Alliance.

Subha: Honestly, if you ask me—I wanted to be a computer engineer after watching one of the popular Indian movies, Roja, where the hero was a computer engineer and helped the country. As I grew up, I ended up becoming an Electronics & Instrumentation Engineer and landed a networking job through a campus placement with HCL. Later, I felt I could do better in a career involving people associated with technology. So, I pursued my post-graduation in HR and labor laws, which finally led me to my HR profession. It’s been almost 19 years now of pursuing my passion of working alongside tech and automation folks. I realized very early on during my graduation that technology is the best thing for people who look for convenience and comfort in every aspect of life. One needs to use it wisely—and I’ve always looked for ways to automate things early in my career. So far, I have followed that mindset. It’s important for me to make both my work and personal life easier.

What unique contributions do women make in the workplace that deserve more recognition and appreciation?

Andra: I believe women bring a unique blend of collaborative communication and meticulous attention to detail, which is incredibly valuable—especially in AI and automation. We excel at fostering team cohesion, ensuring clear communication, and navigating the ethical complexities of these technologies. This combination of skills is essential for building responsible and impactful AI solutions, and it deserves far more recognition.

Chantel: It's the ability to foster psychologically safe environments, where people feel heard, supported, and encouraged to speak up. I believe women often lead with a strong sense of empathy and balance strategic thinking with a human-centered approach. That combination helps manage relationships effectively and creates space for others to grow, contribute, and feel seen. It’s how we bring others along on the journey.

Michaela: In my experience, women bring a strong sense of collaboration to teams, fostering an environment where every voice is heard and valued. I have observed that women often take a thoughtful approach to leadership—actively listening to team members and integrating diverse perspectives into decision making. While these qualities are not exclusive to women, they are frequently demonstrated by female leaders, contributing to stronger teams and more effective problem-solving by incorporating a broader range of insights.

Subha: The diversity of opinions and perspectives that women bring may be very different from what their male counterparts contribute. We seldom appreciate the many aspects and roles women play in their personal lives while balancing work life as well. And trust me—most of them don’t complain about it.

What advice would you give to women looking to grow in their careers? Based on your experience, what’s helped you the most?

Andra: The biggest piece of advice I could give anyone—especially women—and what helped me the most, was simply to believe in yourself. Don't let anyone tell you what you can or can't achieve. If you set your mind to something, you’re already halfway there, regardless of whether you've seen someone like you do it before.

In fields like AI and automation, where innovation is key, that self-belief is crucial. Beyond that, I'd emphasize the importance of continuous learning. The tech world is constantly evolving, so staying curious and always seeking new knowledge is essential. Find mentors who inspire you and build a strong network of supportive peers. Don’t be afraid to take risks and step outside your comfort zone. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and remember that every setback is a chance to learn and come back stronger. Most importantly, find your voice. Don’t be afraid to share your ideas and advocate for yourself. Your unique perspective is valuable, and it deserves to be heard.

Chantel: Be curious, ask questions, and never underestimate the value of showing up consistently. Building confidence takes time, but it starts with speaking up—even when you feel unsure. I’ve learned not to wait for the “perfect” moment to go after something. It’s still a work-in progress for me, but reminding myself to just try has made all the difference.

Michaela: Be a lifelong learner. I know this might sound like something from a fortune cookie or an inspirational poster, but I genuinely believe it has played a key role in my career transition and in enhancing my performance in my current role.

It starts with self-reflection—recognizing areas where new skills could enhance my performance—and then committing to learning and growing. Whether it’s developing technical knowledge in automation and HTML, honing marketing and communication skills for event planning and marketing, or strengthening soft skills like problem-solving and teamwork, a mindset of continuous learning has empowered me to take on new challenges with confidence.

Subha: Speak up and make your voices heard at the right time and in the right place. As women, this doesn’t always come naturally—it takes some practice. Another important thing is to be well-networked within the company and the broader community. This will definitely help us in the long run. Always stay informed about what’s happening in the industry.

Being part of #women-in-automation people unity council at UiPath, what’s your experience like? How does being part of this community at UiPath make a difference?

Andra: What’s best about the group is that it feels like a genuine community. What I've found most valuable is the sense of belonging and the safe space it creates. It's a place where we feel comfortable sharing our personal experiences—both the triumphs and the challenges—in a way that I wouldn't necessarily feel comfortable doing in other professional settings. This level of openness and vulnerability is incredibly powerful. It allows us to learn from each other's journeys, to find support and encouragement, and to realize that we're not alone in navigating the unique aspects of being a woman in this field, especially dealing with subtle biases that can sometimes arise. Moreover, the community fosters a strong sense of empowerment. I spent my first year at UiPath with huge impostor syndrome—just to find out every single woman (and not only) I admired felt the same way. It's inspiring to see so many talented women supporting each other, sharing knowledge, and advocating for greater representation in AI and automation. It's a reminder that we're part of a larger movement, and that together, we’re making a real difference in shaping the future of this industry.

Chantel: This community at UiPath is a space where we can share stories, celebrate each other’s wins, and support one another through challenges—both personal and professional. It’s a reminder that we’re not alone, and that diversity in thought and experience is what truly drives innovation.

Michaela: Joining communities like this can be incredibly valuable for building meaningful connections within a company—especially with colleagues you might not have crossed paths with otherwise. These groups create a space for networking, knowledge-sharing, and mentorship, helping to foster both personal and professional growth.

I have truly enjoyed engaging with the other women in the group, exchanging experiences, and learning from their unique perspectives. Beyond networking, these communities also provide opportunities to give back—whether through volunteering, mentorship, or inspiring more women to pursue careers in tech. Being part of this group has not only strengthened my sense of belonging but has also reinforced the importance of supporting and uplifting one another in the industry.

Subha: I’ve been part of this community for some time now. I see it as a brilliant opportunity to learn from peers and colleagues across different regions and cultures. Interestingly, the challenges are similar in most places, but the ways people choose to respond to them are what define their careers—and who they are. I believe this experience has enhanced my growth as a human being overall. I truly look forward to these interactions.

Women bring creativity, empathy, insight, and strength to every role they take on—and this month, we’re proud to celebrate that loudly. To Andra, Chantel, Michaela, Subha, and all the incredible women across our teams: thank you for the impact you’re making in our company and across the AI and automation space. Happy Women’s History Month from all of us at UiPath!