Pat Mallari, 30, Learning and Development Manager, Lazada Philippines

Our “Humans of Lazada” series takes a look at the professional and personal lives of the more than 9,000 people who work at Lazada. Click here for more stories from this series.

“Growing up, my parents sacrificed a lot for my sibling and me. We had a very modest lifestyle, and my parents always made sure that they were able to provide for all our family needs. When I graduated, I took the first job that I felt allowed me to give back to them in a big way. I became a management trainee at Unilever. Working at a big multinational company right out of college was intimidating. I didn’t know anything or anyone, but that was the start of a journey that made me the person I am today. Over the years, I went from being a salesperson to becoming the company’s country marketing manager, driving digital transformation in the food services business.

As rewarding as marketing was, I wanted to do more – to help others navigate their careers, because I remembered those early days, feeling lost. I got certified as a life coach by two leading organisations and had to learn and unlearn many things as well as make financial trade-offs to sustain my new path. I founded a small coaching firm, Purposeful Careers, to help individuals define their strengths and pursue careers that aligned with their personal goals and passions.

My transitional path eventually led me to my current role at Lazada. Now, as a member of the organisation and talent development team, my own job and personal purpose are aligned! This role has allowed me to empower my fellow Lazadians as I work with them to develop their goals, discover their strengths and what makes them passionate about their work. I’m also happy to say that it’s my turn to spoil my family and give them the things they always wanted and deserve.”

This profile was compiled by Mina Cunanan from the Lazada PR team in the Philippines.