Around the world, mothers are showing up—and showing out. Over half of all women participate in the global labor force, and in developed economies, 54% of mothers are balancing careers alongside the full richness of family life. The skills forged in parenthood are the same ones that move organizations forward: multitasking, emotional intelligence, adaptability, crisis management, problem-solving under pressure. Not soft skills. Superpowers.
At SentinelOne, we believe motherhood isn’t a detour from a career—it’s a catalyst for new perspective and purpose. We recognize that the high-growth pace of cybersecurity is best met by teams who feel empowered and balanced in every chapter of their lives. From unparalleled multitasking to innovative problem-solving, the skills mothers bring to our organization are invaluable to our success.
“Being a working parent is a constant act of balance, and that balance is only possible when you feel trusted and supported,” says Divya Ghatak, Chief People, Places, and Corporate Engagement Officer. “At SentinelOne, we want every mother to know she is valued. When people feel that level of trust, they do their best work and live their fullest lives.”
That commitment isn’t just a value—it’s a policy. Every Sentinel who welcomes a new child into their family receives 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave, regardless of gender or how they came to parenthood, followed by two weeks of flexible work arrangements to ease the transition back to work. Those early weeks with a new child are irreplaceable: equal parts wonder and overwhelm, joy and exhaustion. We believe that time deserves to be lived fully, without the weight of career uncertainty hanging over it. Parental leave done right is a statement of trust—and at SentinelOne, that trust is extended to every parent, from day one.
This Mother’s Day, we’re taking a closer look at the real triumphs of mothers navigating the worlds of work and family. We’re proud to share the stories of Sentinels who are building careers, raising families, and demonstrating that home life and career growth can thrive in the same space.
Karen Chong, Area Vice President, Asia
For Karen Chong, a mother of two daughters, ages 15 and 17, motherhood is more than a personal journey—it has been the blueprint for how she leads as Area Vice President of Asia.
Karen is quick to challenge the assumption that being a mother somehow dilutes professional capability or drive. In her view, the stakes of parenthood actually sharpen a professional’s edge. “Motherhood naturally demands a higher level of responsibility and accountability,” she explains. “We gain an unparalleled ability to manage complexity and juggle multiple high-stakes priorities simultaneously.”
As her daughters have grown into their teenage years, Karen’s dynamic with them has shifted from hands-on care to mutual support.
“With teenagers, the relationship is different,” she notes. “They have their own lives and their own sense of responsibility, but they also have a strong understanding of what I do. Knowing they support my ambition allows me to bring my best, most focused self to this role.”
Leading with Radical Empathy
If multitasking is the engine of Karen’s career, empathy is the steering wheel. Motherhood has deeply influenced her leadership style, particularly in how she builds psychological safety within her high-performing team.
“It is about empathy,” she explains. “It helps you understand how people are juggling work and life. I want my team to feel comfortable coming to me when something goes wrong. Sometimes people are afraid to share bad news, like losing a deal, but I want them to know I am there to help them.”
For Karen, leadership—much like parenting—is about empowering others to find their own way.
“How they get there is less important than the result. You guide them, you support them, and you help them succeed.”
The Currency of Trust
In the competitive landscape of cybersecurity, Karen believes that technical specs matter, but relationships win. She treats her customers with the same level of accountability she brings to her family.
“When customers decide who to work with, it comes down to the people. They want to know that when they need help, someone will respond.”
Maintaining this level of intensity across the APJ region requires a demanding travel schedule, making her “Daily Reset” non-negotiable. “My morning coffee moment is very important. I need that quiet time to think. It helps me stay grounded before the day begins.”
A Culture of Action
Having spent years in the corporate world, Karen has grown weary of “culture” being used as a buzzword. At SentinelOne, she found the reality finally matched the rhetoric.
“I have been in organizations where people talk a lot about support, but there are no actions behind it,” she says. “At SentinelOne, I can really feel the family culture. It is not something you have to question—you can feel it in the way we treat each other. I am truly thankful to be here.”
Alina Basova, Senior Software Engineer, Czech Republic
For Alina Basova, a Senior Software Engineer originally from Ukraine, motherhood meant navigating a cultural tug-of-war.
“I feel like I’m between two worlds,” she explains. “In one, it’s expected that a woman will leave her career to focus on her child. In the other, there’s pressure to return almost immediately. I don’t think either reflects reality.”
Alina joined SentinelOne just months before becoming pregnant. Like many expectant mothers, she initially felt a flash of uncertainty. However, the transition she feared was met with genuine celebration. Beyond the 16 weeks of fully paid leave, it was the company’s culture that gave her the most confidence.
“The fact that the policy exists means they are my kind of people,” she says. “It gave me the confidence to make this step.”
A Renewed Drive
Time away from work brought something unexpected for Alina. After more than a decade in front-end development, her maternity leave acted as a powerful “reset.”
“I felt a bit burnt out before, but when I came back, I had this drive again to learn and build. I felt like a junior again—not in skill, but in that ‘fresh blood’ energy. It reminded me why I enjoy what I do.”
Her return has been gradual and flexible, allowing her to stay connected to her team while working part-time. For Alina, the ability to close her laptop at 3:00 PM and head to the playground without stress “means everything.” This balance has also sharpened her soft skills; the patience required to negotiate with a toddler has translated directly into her interactions with colleagues. “You learn to slow down and meet people where they are,” she notes.
Validation Through Growth
Many women fear a career plateau after having children, and Alina admits she wasn’t immune to those nerves. For a while, she struggled with the internal assumption that working part-time might mean pausing her professional trajectory.
“I was worried that because I was part-time, I wouldn’t be seen as ‘worthy’ of growth or advancement,” she admits. However, the feedback from her leadership told a different story. Since returning, Alina has seen her contributions consistently recognized and rewarded—a tangible reflection of her performance that validated her place in the company.
“It was so encouraging to see that my work and my impact were what mattered, regardless of my schedule. It shifted my own perspective on what’s possible while balancing a young family.”
Setting the Example
Looking ahead, Alina’s ambition is fueled by the example she wants to set at home.
“I want my daughter to see that if she finds the right environment and the right people, she can be ambitious and happy at the same time. She doesn’t have to sacrifice one for the other.”
Aisha Rathborne, Sr. Solutions Engineer, United States
Aisha Rathborne’s journey with SentinelOne began with a leap of faith that most expecting mothers only dream of. She was hired while seven months pregnant—a stage where many professionals feel the need to “brace for impact” regarding their career security.
“SentinelOne hired me knowing I was seven months pregnant and gave me full benefits, which is unheard of,” Aisha recalls. “I have never felt support like that from an employer in my entire life. Being told, ‘We still want you,’ set the tone for the beginning of motherhood for me.”
Aisha is particularly passionate about letting future parents know that the transition into motherhood doesn’t have to be a source of professional fear.
“I want expecting moms to know it doesn’t have to be as scary as they think. At SentinelOne, I found a community where almost everyone on my team is also a parent. Getting to be around other adults who understand the day-to-day of both cybersecurity and parenting creates a sense of community that goes deeper than a standard friend group.”
Perspective as a Professional Edge
That foundation of trust allowed Aisha to return to work with a sharpened sense of purpose. Since joining the company, she has successfully transitioned her career path, earned multiple recognitions, includingPresident’s Club honors in 2025. She credits this “standout year” to the efficiency she gained after becoming a mom.
“It’s made me more efficient and helped me focus on what actually matters,” she says. “You start to understand what people need a lot faster because your view of the world has grown.”
This shift in perspective has even led to deeper connections with her customers. On one occasion, while home with her daughter on a sick day, a customer reached out with an urgent issue. When Aisha explained the situation, the response was unexpected: “That’s okay, just join our call with the baby.”
“We did a full troubleshooting session with my daughter there. We got everything resolved, and they still check in and ask about her. It turned into a really meaningful connection.”
The Daily Reset
Despite the high-speed nature of pre-sales, Aisha has found small rituals to maintain her sense of self. Her transition into the “Sentinel” mindset begins the moment she leaves the daycare parking lot. “I listen to music as loud as humanly possible on the drive home,” she laughs. “That’s my reset before the workday starts.”
For Aisha, the past year has been a testament to what is possible when a company views its employees as people first.
“I felt supported through one of the biggest changes in my life. I’m really proud of what I’ve accomplished, and I’ll always value having a support system like this one.”
Happy Mother’s Day from All of Us at SentinelOne
These experiences shared by Sentinel mothers reflect the resilience, adaptability, and leadership that mothers contribute to the cybersecurity industry every day. Their stories remind us that when we support parents, we aren’t just doing “the right thing”—we are building stronger, more empathetic, and more effective teams.
At SentinelOne, we remain committed to fostering an environment where mothers, and all caregivers, can flourish both personally and professionally. We are proud to stand alongside these incredible women as they protect our digital world while nurturing the next generation.
Happy Mother’s Day to our Sentinel mothers and all the mothers around the globe!