Leili Manafi

I attribute my success to my ability to step into unfamiliar or uncomfortable spaces with confidence and curiosity, even when I am not initially knowledgeable in a subject area. I make it a priority to stay present, ask thoughtful questions, and engage others in meaningful conversations that help deepen understanding and drive progress. In my current role at Intapp, I have had the opportunity to contribute to some of our largest enterprise accounts and most significant client engagements within my first year, which has been both challenging and rewarding. This experience reflects my commitment to delivering strong work, continuously learning, and showing up with intention. At the core of my approach is a genuine care for what I do and a consistent effort to lead with curiosity, which has been a guiding principle throughout my career.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is to stay curious, authentic, and to trust that the quality of my work will speak for itself. I like to challenge my own and others' ways of thinking to continuously learn, and remain open to perspectives and opportunities outside my comfort zone. At the same time, focusing on delivering high-quality work has helped me build credibility and trust without needing to over-explain or over-prove myself. Together, these principles have shaped how I approach my career by keeping me grounded in growth, accountability, and consistent execution.

My advice to young women entering my industry is to stay curious and trust that the quality of your work will speak for itself. At the same time, focus on doing meaningful, high-quality work rather than feeling pressure to constantly promote yourself, especially in a social media-driven environment. When you prioritize building things you genuinely care about and are proud of, your work naturally stands out.

One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is the external pressure to constantly self-promote, which can sometimes distract from focusing on substantive, high-quality work. There is a tendency to equate visibility with impact, but I’ve found that meaningful results often come from deep focus and execution rather than constant external signaling. At the same time, there are significant opportunities, particularly in the ability to learn quickly in a highly technical and constantly evolving environment. The intersection of technical, design, and people skills is especially powerful, and it opens the door to broader impact and growth into managerial and leadership roles over time.

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are curiosity, authenticity, and empathy, along with a strong commitment to high standards and quality. Curiosity keeps me learning and open to growth, while authenticity ensures that I stay grounded in what feels true to me rather than external pressure. I also care deeply about what I build and the impact it has on others, which is where empathy plays a key role. Together with a focus on doing work to a high standard, these values guide how I approach decisions, relationships, and long-term growth.