How the culture at BigPanda supports working parents
Being a parent in the workplace comes with unique challenges, joys, and lessons. At BigPanda, we recognize that parenthood is a journey that shapes how you approach life and work. We’re excited to share the stories and experiences of our incredible Panda Parents and highlight how they balance raising families and thriving in their careers.
These individuals reflect our company’s core values of hunger, extreme ownership, active transparency, relentless customer focus, and one team (HEART). From flexible schedules to a supportive culture, discover how BigPanda empowers parents to succeed at home and in the workplace.
Corina Payne, Senior Director of Customer Education and Enablement
I’ve been with the company for about two and a half years, leading the strategy for BigPanda University, our customer community, and technical documentation. My team focuses on equipping customers with the education and resources they need to be successful.
I’ve been married for 12 years to my husband, who is on active duty in the U.S. Army. We live in Pinehurst, North Carolina, with our two boys, two dogs, and a horse. Since we’re about five to six hours away from family, and with my husband’s demanding role, I take on many day-to-day home responsibilities. That’s one of many reasons I value the flexibility and support I’ve found at BigPanda.
I had my youngest while working here, and I’ve experienced firsthand how BigPanda empowers me to balance my family and career. That support means so much to me, and it’s part of why I’m so passionate about building resources and programs that help others succeed.
How do you manage your work schedule to accommodate your professional and parental duties?
I usually start my mornings at 5:00 am by catching up on Slack messages and emails from the previous day while the house is quiet. By the time I officially begin work at 8:30, after our nanny arrives, I use the first work hours to focus on content creation or strategy work—anything that requires deep thinking. Once meetings begin, my day tends to be pretty full, so I make the most of those quiet morning moments.
One key to balancing everything is our family Google calendar. I block off specific times in my workday to prioritize family; for example, I always take 2:30 to 3:30 off to pick up my four-year-old from school. Since I don’t take a lunch break, this time becomes my midday pause, and I catch up on any meetings once I’m back.
Evenings are family-focused—I typically don’t work between 5 and 7:30 while the kids are awake. After bedtime, if I still have work, I’ll settle in to finish it, usually with the TV on and my husband working beside me. This late-night session lets me tie up loose ends and plan for the next day.
What advice would you give new parents navigating career and parental responsibilities for the first time?
My biggest advice is to recognize that life will never be the same after having kids—and that’s okay! In the beginning, you’re not sleeping, and suddenly, you have responsibilities you couldn’t have imagined. Your child depends on you for everything, which changes your world.
It’s unrealistic to expect yourself to jump back into work and operate the same way you did before. That’s not good for your mental health or your overall well-being. New parents are adjusting to a new normal, and that takes time. It doesn’t mean you’re not good enough or capable—you are. You’ll stretch and adapt in ways you never thought possible. Even when you thought your schedule was full, you’ll find room for new responsibilities, but it won’t happen overnight.
Be patient with yourself, especially if you’re a high achiever. At BigPanda, we have so many high performers, and I know how hard it can be to feel like you’re not hitting the same level as before. Maybe you were doing a thousand things in a day, and now it feels like you can only do 900. That’s not failure—it’s transition. You’ll get there, but it takes time and kindness toward yourself.
Be honest with your team about what you’re struggling with and ask for help when you need it, even if you’re someone who’s not used to asking for help. Your team will understand, especially those who are parents themselves. They’ll support you, and you’ll find your rhythm again in time.
Ben Neumann, Group Manager, DevOps
I’m Ben, Katya’s husband and proud dad to Dean (2 years old) and Emma (9 months old). I’ve been with BigPanda for three years, leading the DevOps group within the research and development organization. My team is spread across the globe, handling everything from cloud infrastructure and cloud budgets (FinOps) to CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure security.
Two years ago, my life changed forever when I became a dad. Honestly, I was both excited and terrified about it, but it has become the most rewarding adventure. I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
Can you describe your experience with parental leave at BigPanda?
BigPanda has been incredibly supportive of parental leave. The company allowed me to completely disconnect from work to bond with my newborns and support my wife during her recovery. This was a key contributing factor to the amazing connection I now have with my kids.
That dedicated time was invaluable. I got to be there for those early sleepless nights and early milestones. It made a huge difference for my family and me as a parent.
How do you manage your work schedule to accommodate your professional and parental duties?
Balancing work and family life is no walk in the park, but I’ve found a rhythm that works (most days, anyway!)
For me, it all comes down to one thing: my calendar! I put everything in my calendar and block out family time, so I’m fully present when the kids come home from preschool. Once they’re asleep, I often put in a few extra work hours.
My calendar is sacred. It’s the ultimate tool for keeping things organized. I also use AI-powered tools (like personal assistants) to help me manage my routines and optimize my schedule.
Michael McCall, Adoption Engineer
I live in Dallas, Texas, with my wife Maddi and our three kids, Monroe, Jones, and Judd. Outside work, I enjoy basketball, listening to music, and keeping up with my family.
I’ve been an Adoption Engineer at BigPanda for over two years. I help our customers meet their goals by assisting them in adopting additional features or optimizing those they already employ. Every day, I interact with customers, dive deeper into their goals, help create adoption plans, and support them through implementation.
How has BigPanda supported you as a parent through policies or flexibility in managing your personal and professional life?
BigPanda offers extraordinary flexibility. Unless I have an 8 am meeting, I usually start the day 15-30 minutes past eight and don’t take a lunch break. Along with the ability to work from home, this flexibility allows me to be a part of my family’s morning routine. I can do more, even if it’s just a little, than say good morning and run out the door. I can prioritize those important family moments when I need to, like going to my kid’s Christmas program.
BigPanda offers unlimited PTO and a generous parental leave policy. Whether planned or unplanned, I’ve always felt supported in prioritizing my family when needed.
What advice would you give new BigPanda parents navigating their career and parental responsibilities for the first time?
As a new parent, it was hard to accept that I couldn’t go the extra mile in many areas of my life, including work. My kids go to bed around 7:30, so time after 5 pm matters more than it used to, and that time belongs to my family.
My advice would be to remember what matters most. Even when BigPanda and my boss are willing to give me flexibility, sometimes I forget to take it and get wrapped up in something work-related. There’s always the evening if it’s urgent, but usually, these things can wait. So my advice to working parents is to try and accept that you just can’t do everything you used to, at least for a while.
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