Rebecca Port
Chief People Officer, Okta
đź“ŤSan Francisco, California (USA)
What qualities do you think leaders need to have in today’s world?
Curiosity and adaptability. The world is changing, and as we lead through that change, empathy and keeping an open mind will be more critical than ever before.
If you had to describe your leadership style in one word, what would it be and why?
Catalytic. As a catalytic leader, I think in systems and endeavor to create momentum, raise ambition, and make others better.
How does your company’s Pledge 1% program help shape the kind of workplace culture you believe in?
Giving back is woven into the fabric of Okta’s culture, championed by our leadership from day one. Since our founders took the 1% Pledge, our employees have actively participated in Okta for Good through dedicated giving and volunteering, all driven by a shared vision: building a more secure world where everyone can belong and thrive. In an era of complex, global challenges, coming together to support our communities doesn’t just make an impact—it builds a stronger, more collaborative, and more resilient workplace culture.
This year marks the 7th year of Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead campaign. How can companies champion and support female leadership?
To champion women in leadership, formal mentorship, sponsorship, and transparent promotion pathways are the bedrock, but they are just the starting point. Holistic support requires an acknowledgment that ‘female leadership’ isn’t a monolith.
As a working mother, my career journey looks different from someone who isn’t a caregiver; likewise, a woman of color will have a very different experience in the corporate workforce than I do. Our job is to proactively reduce structural barriers, ensuring that when a woman earns her seat at the table, she isn’t the only one there.
Finally, we must celebrate authenticity and create a culture of belonging where leaders don’t have to conform to be perceived as capable. We don’t want more of the same—we want the unique perspectives that drive true innovation.
If you could write a note to your younger self on her first day of work, what would it say?
Dear Younger Me,
You don’t have to work so hard to deserve your place. I know how much you want to prove yourself. I know how often you question whether you belong. You think if you achieve enough, prepare enough, push enough, the doubt will finally disappear. It won’t. Belonging doesn’t come from proving. It comes from accepting that you are already enough.
Be ambitious — that fire in you is real and good. It will carry you further than you can imagine. But please learn this sooner: you do not have to be harsh with yourself to be excellent. Self-compassion is not lowering the bar. It is giving yourself the steadiness to clear it. Speak to yourself with the same kindness you so easily offer others. And when you walk into rooms that feel intimidating, choose gratitude instead of fear. Instead of asking, “Do I deserve to be here?” Ask, “How lucky am I to be here — and how can I make this space better?” Gratitude will soften your edges. It will replace defensiveness with generosity. It will allow you to contribute instead of compete. And that energy — warmth, steadiness, belief — will quietly change every room you enter.
Do not forget where you came from. The girl from Hull. The moves across countries. The moments of feeling new, unsure, different. Those experiences are not something to outgrow — they are the roots of your empathy. They will make you a leader who understands people, not just performance. Hold tightly to your relationships. The mentors, the friends, the family who ground you.
Success is not a solo sport and having people around you, who you love and love you will help will matter infinitely more than any title. Be kind. To yourself. To others. Especially when it’s hard. And when you climb — reach back. Lift as you climb. Notice who is just behind you and offer a hand. Create space at the table. Use your voice to widen the path. The measure of your success will not only be what you build, but who you help rise.
Slow down enough to feel your life as it unfolds. The laughter. The chaos. The ordinary, beautiful moments. Presence is not a distraction from achievement — it is the point of it. Be bold. Be grateful. Be kind. May you climb high, stay grounded, and always use your strength to lift others.
Love, me
