SentinelOne has been named #9 on the Great Place to Work® Best Workplaces in the Caribbean & Central America list, a meaningful recognition that speaks to the culture our team in Costa Rica has built together since opening the office in 2023.
It is also a reflection of how culture drives performance—enabling teams to collaborate seamlessly, move quickly, and deliver for customers in an increasingly complex threat landscape. In Costa Rica, that culture is often described through the spirit of Pura Vida, a mindset rooted in optimism, connection, and community.
In just two years, the Costa Rica office has grown from a small group to nearly 100 Sentinels across a wide range of teams and functions, including Technical Support, Customer Success, Technical Account Management, Threat Detection and Response, Incident Response, Professional Services, Renewals, Finance, Marketing, Compliance, Product Design, and R&D. What sets the office apart is not just its growth, but the culture that has shaped it.
For Alex Hanlon, VP of Customer Success and executive sponsor of the Costa Rica site, that impact starts with how the team shows up for customers.
“When I think about our Costa Rica team, the first thing that stands out is how deeply they care about our customers, our partners, and about each other,” Alex said. “That shows up in very real ways across the entire customer journey, from onboarding and adoption to ongoing support and long-term partnership.”
That consistency across teams is what makes the experience stand out.
“There’s no separation between functions, just a shared commitment to doing what’s right for customers and partners,” Alex said. “People step in without hesitation, collaborate across roles, and take real ownership of outcomes.”
The way that work comes to life is equally distinctive. Across teams and roles, there is a shared sense of pride, positivity, and what many describe as Tico Hospitality—a uniquely Costa Rican expression of warmth, attentiveness, and genuine care for others. It’s something customers feel in every interaction and teammates rely on every day.
A supportive, inclusive culture is foundational to how SentinelOne innovates and delivers for customers. Being recognized on the Great Place to Work® list reflects the environment our teams have built, where people feel welcomed, valued, and empowered to grow.
“For our Costa Rica team, this recognition reflects what they’ve built together,” said Divya Ghatak, Chief People, Places and Corporate Engagement Officer. “During my recent visit, I experienced firsthand the warmth, pride, and sense of community that make this team so special. It’s a powerful reminder that culture is a force multiplier.
Ask the people who work there what makes the Costa Rica site special, and the answer is consistent: a culture defined by connection, collaboration, and the shared belief that they are building something meaningful together.
Built Together from the Beginning
For Johan Tijerino, Sr. Manager, Technical Support, who helped open the Costa Rica office, that sense of shared ownership has been there from the very beginning.
“When we started, it really felt like everyone was building this together,” Johan said. “That shaped the culture. There was collaboration, friendship, and a willingness to jump in and make something great together.”
What began as a small operation expected to support around 30 people has grown into a dynamic, cross-functional team supporting customers and internal partners across the United States, EMEA, and beyond.
“What I’m most proud of is the talent here in Costa Rica,” he said. “The people are what made this office grow the way it has.”
That people-first foundation has translated into something notable in a high-growth environment: a level of retention that reflects how connected employees feel to their work, their teams, and the broader mission.
A Culture You Can Feel
Andrea Mesen, Manager, FP&A, joined SentinelOne six months ago and quickly saw why the Costa Rica office has built such a strong employee experience.
“I remember on my first day, people just introduced themselves without anyone asking them to,” Andrea said. “We are known for being warm people. There is a very happy and welcoming environment here, and I think everyone who comes into the office can feel that.”
That warmth extends beyond social connection. Andrea also noticed how intentionally the office was designed to support employees as whole people.
“All the spaces have been thought through with care,” she said. “Not just for work needs, but for personal needs too. You can tell the company wants to make sure we’re taken care of not only as employees, but as people.”
Delivering Value at Every Stage
As the Costa Rica team has grown, so has its impact across the customer lifecycle. For Yelena Hernandez, Director of Renewals, that impact is grounded in building trust and long-term relationships.
“We make sure every customer feels supported, bringing the same level of care, attention, and follow-through to every interaction,” Yelena said. “Retention and growth start with relationships, and we build those relationships one conversation at a time, knowing that even small moments can drive meaningful impact over time.”
This focus on consistency and connection across the customer base reinforces long-term value, ensuring customers feel heard and supported at every stage.
Giving Back with Purpose
The culture in Costa Rica extends beyond the workplace and into the community through S1 Cares initiatives led by local teams.
Earlier this year, Sentinels partnered with Voluntariados Corporativos Namaterra for a day focused on environmental sustainability—planting trees, learning about local ecosystems, and contributing to long-term climate impact. The effort combined hands-on action with education, reinforcing a shared responsibility to protect the environment and invest in the future.
Community impact also includes expanding access to education. In partnership with Fundación Lifting Hands, Sentinels provided school supplies to more than 100 children, helping ensure they have the tools needed for the year ahead and reinforcing the importance of access and opportunity.
“Opening opportunities through education and technology fuels our purpose and connects our team with something bigger than ourselves,” Johan said.
That commitment continues with the upcoming launch of the “SentinelOne Class,” scheduled to open later this year in San José. Developed in partnership with Fundación Lifting Hands, the space will serve as a dedicated community learning hub offering technology training, mentorship, and resources for students. Sentinels have played an active role in bringing this initiative to life—supporting planning efforts, contributing to back-to-school programs, and helping expand access to essential resources, including food security support.
A Reflection of What’s Been Built
Being named one of the Best Workplaces in the Caribbean and Central America is especially meaningful because it reflects what employees themselves are saying about their experience—and what they have built together.
“I think this recognition makes public how people are already feeling,” Andrea said. “We are happy here, and this makes it official.”
SentinelOne Costa Rica is a place where teammates support one another, where growth is encouraged, and where every individual is valued from the start. Being ranked #9 is a meaningful milestone—but the real impact is seen in how this team operates every day: building strong relationships, delivering consistently for customers, and creating a culture where people and performance grow together.
“What this team has built here is something special, and it shows in every result they deliver,” Alex said.