In honor of Women’s History Month at PayPal, we’re excited to highlight individuals who embody this year’s theme, "Give to Gain."
Meet Punitha D, Senior Manager - Compliance Platform Eng - Compliance BackOffice
Tell us about your role, and career journey at PayPal:
I’ve been with PayPal for over 13 years, all within the Compliance space – a journey that has been both challenging and deeply rewarding.
I joined PayPal as a software engineer with a focus on quality engineering. In my early years, I built strong foundations in delivering high-quality solutions in a highly regulated environment. Over time, I transitioned into a lead role, where I had the opportunity to mentor engineers, drive cross-functional initiatives, and influence technical direction beyond individual contributions.
As my passion for people development grew, I made a deliberate shift into a development manager role. Today, I focus not only on building scalable compliance solutions but also on building high-performing teams. My journey has been shaped by continuous learning, stepping outside my comfort zone, and embracing change, whether that meant moving across roles or taking ownership of complex enterprise initiatives.
Creating opportunities isn’t about special treatment. It’s about removing invisible hesitation — and replacing it with visible belief.”
This year's theme for International Women's Month is 'Give to Gain.' What is one moment at PayPal where giving or receiving support made a meaningful difference in your growth?
One of the most transformative moments in my journey at PayPal was stepping into a development manager role. On paper, it looked like a natural progression from lead, but internally, it felt anything but natural. I was confident in my technical expertise, but leading people? That felt bigger, heavier, and more visible. I questioned whether I was ready, how others would see me, and what it would mean to transition into a manager role, especially when leading my own peers.
At that pivotal moment, a senior leader told me, “You’ve already been leading. This role is just recognizing it.” That belief gave me the courage to step forward instead of stepping back.
That experience changed me. It taught me that sometimes confidence is given before it’s felt. Someone chose to give me belief when I needed it most and that changed the trajectory of my career. Today, I lead with that lesson. I intentionally create space for others to step forward, especially when they doubt themselves. Because I’ve learned that when we give encouragement, sponsorship, and opportunity, we don’t lose anything. We gain stronger leaders, stronger teams, and a stronger version of ourselves. For me, “Give to Gain” isn’t just a theme. It’s the story of my growth.
How has your role at PayPal allowed you to create or support opportunities for women?
Through Unity and my own journey, I’ve seen how powerful representation is. When women see someone who looks like them navigating leadership, it quietly expands what feels possible. Creating opportunities isn’t about special treatment. It’s about removing invisible hesitation and replacing it with visible belief.
What advice would you give to women at PayPal (or in general) about giving, growing, and advancing in their careers?
Two things
1) Raise your hand, even if your voice shakes.
2) Stop waiting to feel “ready.”
There will be seasons when life feels messy – motherhood, self-doubt, burnout, reinvention. That doesn’t mean you’re falling behind. It means you’re human. Know when to slow down. Know when to sprint. But always stay in the race. Don’t use being a woman or a mom as a limitation but don’t ignore the complexity either. Learn to juggle. Accept the guilt without letting it control you.
Give generously: mentor, uplift, advocate. But don’t forget to give to yourself: your growth, your confidence, your visibility.
And here’s the bold truth: It’s not enough to go with the flow. Create your flow.