Welcome to our blog series, DataFlow Voices! In this series, we feature one-on-one interviews with our team members from around the globe. Get to know our team, learn about their experiences and find out what it’s like working at DataFlow.
Meet Michelle Ibarra, our Country Manager for the Philippines. Michelle is based in our Manila office. Michelle gives us insight into a day in her life, personal mantras, responsibilities at the DataFlow Group and something we’d never guess about Michelle!
Hi Michelle! Please tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Michelle Ibarra and I joined DataFlow in 2015. I have over 8 years of experience in background screening, both from an Operations and Client Management orientation. I have been part of the journey of the DataFlow Philippines office from Day 1 – from a group of 3 then to 98 employees doing end-to-end service delivery and support functions today.
In addition to my Country Manager role, I am also part of the Audit Team, whose main responsibility is to review processes and identify areas of improvement, particularly in our engagements with our applicants.
I am a wife and a mother to an 11-year-old daughter. We have 2 dogs.
How would you describe a typical day at work?
A typical day for me starts with email catch-ups, report reviews, and throughout the day, there would be meetings to attend – I’d say the usual hustle and bustle of everyday working. Being that interactions and collaborations get me pumped up, I am fortunate to be with a dynamic team that encourages opportunities to engage with people across the organization at all levels.
What do you value most about the DataFlow Group’s impact on our customers, clients and mission?
I am proud to be part of an organization whose offerings have a huge impact on the lives of many.
The fact that the work we do safeguards communities by ensuring that the professionals serving them have been subject to our extensive screening and are qualified to do the job is not only a testament to the value of our work, but also a reminder that we should always do our best in everything we do.
The ability to improve lives and open doors of opportunity for healthcare professionals via TrueProfile.io’s recruitment programs is also something I take with high regard.
How do you think the DataFlow Group makes the world a better place?
We make the world a better place by ensuring that the professionals serving communities are qualified and competent.
What are your top tips for succeeding in your career?
Be hungry, be open and enjoy every moment of the journey! Be hungry for new things to learn. Be open and absorb the lessons each opportunity will teach you and enjoy the ride!
How do you like to begin your day?
I like to begin my day with gratitude and affirmation. I am grateful for another day just to be alive and the opportunity to serve through the work that I do and affirmation that today, I will be better than yesterday!
What’s your personal mantra and where did it originate from?
Tomorrow is never promised. This was a realization during the pandemic, actually, and it’s true! We often put off things for another day, but the reality is tomorrow is never assured; therefore, we have to live in the moment and do everything we can do TODAY!
What is something you’re particularly proud of that you’ve achieved at DataFlow Group?
I see the full office we have today and recall how our story started almost 8 years ago – with three tables in a leased office space. Growing the Philippines office is an achievement that would not have been possible if not for the many hardworking and dedicated people working with DataFlow Philippines.
What are your key responsibilities?
As Country Manager, I ensure compliance of the Philippines’ operations to the local statutory and regulatory requirements. I also reach out to various agencies and organizations, both in government and the private sector, for possible partnerships and affiliations that can advance our business and promote the great work that we do.
I am also part of the Audit Team, whose main responsibility is to review processes and identify areas of improvement, particularly in how we communicate and support our applicants.
What are your thoughts on mental well-being in the workplace?
I support all advocacies around mental health and well-being because this, I believe, encompasses our core – how we think, how we feel and how we act. Prioritizing mental health is very important as essentially everything we do is dictated by the soundness of our well-being.
How do you achieve a good work-life balance?
I am very passionate about the work that I do for DataFlow, and I love everything about my job. This is why I hardly look at this as “work.” Yes, there are stressful days, but I always remind myself to breathe, detach for a while and go for it again; this way, I remain in control.
As for my “balance” – my family, my reason for doing what I do – I always make it a point to spend “quality” time with them. I am not just present, I am in the moment, and for me, this is what’s truly important.
Finally, something we’d never guess about you?
Years ago, I was part of our high school’s cheerleading squad!
Stay tuned to our DataFlow Voices blog series to hear more from DataFlow colleagues like Rafi Hattar about their career journeys, what it’s really like working at the DataFlow Group, and what they value most about their impact on our organization, customers, clients and mission.
Read about our other team members in the DataFlow Voices series: