Influential Women spotlights Optro executive Vanessa Serrano-Bernal

Influential Women is recognizing Vanessa Serrano-Bernal, vice president of global renewals at Optro, for her leadership in enterprise growth, people development and community impact. The profile highlights her rise from customer support to managing a $350 million book of business, plus her work founding the Lovee Foundation for underserved youth.

Why it matters: - Vanessa Serrano-Bernal’s career shows how revenue leadership, team development and customer strategy can scale together in enterprise software. - Her profile also connects corporate leadership with mentorship, education and community work, which reflects a broader push for leaders who create impact beyond the office. - The recognition from Influential Women puts a spotlight on women in technology and sales, where representation and access remain important issues.

What happened: - Influential Women recognized Vanessa Serrano-Bernal, vice president of global renewals at Optro, for purpose-driven leadership in people, growth and technology. - Serrano-Bernal built her career over more than 14 years in enterprise software and SaaS. - She began at a five-person Bay Area startup as a customer support agent. - She later advanced into leadership roles across the technology sector. - She helped launch a new Customer Success department at Mavenlink. - She joined AuditBoard, now rebranded as Optro, during a period of rapid expansion. - She now oversees a $350 million book of business and leads 15 renewal managers across North America, Japan and the United Kingdom.

The details: - Serrano-Bernal helped scale the business from $1 million to $250 million in revenue while the workforce grew from about 20 employees to 600. - More than 60% of the Fortune 500 are represented in the customer base her team serves in governance, risk and compliance. - Her AuditBoard tenure included back-to-back President’s Club honors in 2021 and 2022. - She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from San José State University. - She completed a Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at the University of Southern California. - She is pursuing a Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership at USC from January 2026 through May 2028. - Her professional training includes Coaching Skills for Leaders and Managers, Human Resources Fundamentals, Strategic Human Resources and New Manager Fundamentals. - She credits mentors including Chief Customer Officer Chris D. and direct VP Eugene K. for shaping her approach. - Eugene K. emphasized a priorities framework of health, family and work, in that order. - She said that perspective was reinforced by a chief customer officer who battled cancer three times, including twice while continuing to lead the organization.

Between the lines: - Serrano-Bernal’s path reflects a leadership style built on operations and empathy, not just sales metrics. - Her focus on women in technology suggests she sees leadership as both a business function and a pipeline issue. - Her emphasis on health, family and work signals a management philosophy that pushes back on the idea that career success should come at any cost. - Her story also shows how remote work in tech can create flexibility for working parents while supporting long-term career growth.

What's next: - Serrano-Bernal is continuing her doctoral studies while leading global renewals at Optro. - Through the Lovee Foundation, she plans to keep expanding support for underserved youth with resume coaching, interview preparation, scholarships and academic resources. - She will also continue her advocacy through Latinas in Tech and support for the American Heart Association. - Her stated goal is to keep building opportunity for employees, customers, students and emerging professionals.

The bottom line: - Serrano-Bernal’s profile frames leadership as a mix of performance, mentorship and service, with success measured by the opportunities created for others. - In 2024, she founded the Lovee Foundation to empower underserved youth with practical educational and career resources. - More information is available in Vanessa Serrano-Bernal's Influential Women profile.