Dr. Raquel Buckley Empowers Diverse Voices in Innovation at PayPal

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Raquel Buckley’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of embracing diverse perspectives. Growing up in El Paso, Texas, to Mexican parents who came to the US in search of the American dream, Buckley’s journey was full of firsts. It was a challenging journey but one that was made possible by the connections she formed along the way.

As a first-generation Mexican American, she paved her own path and became the first in her family to not only to attend college but also pursue a career in engineering and then later in law.

“Early in life I learned about the power of building strong relationships,” Buckley says. “I learned to lean on my college roommate for support when I left home, I aligned myself with a Hispanic organization to get acclimated and learned from my now husband about a career in engineering and law. Now, I learn and lean on my PayPal colleagues and their expertise. In life, you will have the opportunity to build connections, foster those which can be instrumental in your personal and professional growth.”

Bridging Engineering and Law

Buckley’s diverse background in engineering and law has been a driving force behind her success. After starting her career as a systems research engineer at Motorola and a product engineer at Intel, she was drawn to the world of intellectual property (IP) law, where she could see the full scope of technology’s impact.

“I remember while being part of the R&D group at Motorola, working a complicated algorithm when IP attorneys approached,” she recalls. “Not only did they understand what I was working on but also where the technology was headed. They understood the full scope of technology’s impact, and that is where I wanted to be.”

Empathetic Leadership at PayPal

Today, Buckley serves as senior patent counsel and head of business engagement at PayPal, a multinational financial technology company. There, she helps build a strong IP portfolio that is aligned with the overall business strategy through engagement with key business stakeholders internally and externally. She is also the contact point for outside counsel patent application workflow and provides training and outreach across the company. With a PhD in electrical engineering and a law degree, Buckley effectively communicates across disciplines and understand the needs of her customers which has been instrumental in her role.

“I can engage and speak to engineers in technical terms, talk to our counsel in legal terms, and connect with leadership and our business partners with an understanding of company strategy, understanding where technology is headed and the value proposition it brings,” Buckley says. “With that, we are able to align our priorities as a team to those across the enterprise to ensure we protect our company’s technology—an aspect that comes down to building strong relationships while being empathetic, understanding other’s perspectives and priorities, and adjusting from there.”

Buckley came to the company in 2016 to help build out an internal IP team. Today, she focuses most of her time engaging with key stakeholders across the organization, managing outside counsel, and supporting PayPal’s IP portfolio.

Championing Diversity in Innovation

Buckley is also a driving force behind PayPal’s commitment to increasing diversity in innovation. A report published by the United States Patent Office in 2019 found that women and minorities are underrepresented among inventors named on US-granted patents. As PayPal’s spokesperson for the United States Intellectual Property Alliance’s diversity pledge, she and the other pledging executives meet monthly to discuss best practices and initiatives that may be put in place to increase representation.

“Great ideas come from diverse perspectives. What I bring to the table will be different than what someone with a different background or experience will bring,” Buckley says.

“For this reason, it is imperative that we promote and uplift diverse voices and protect those ideas, as greater strides in the advancement of technology will be possible by introducing innovative solutions.”

Resilience and Adaptability

From juggling law school with four young children to finding creative solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic, Buckley has embraced challenges as opportunities for growth.

“As you find yourself moving forward in life, it is important to lead with empathy, lean on those with different experiences and expertise, and find a positive spin in any situation you may encounter. During COVID, for example, my family of six were trying to manage remote school, work, a pandemic, and the Texas heat,” she says. “To escape, we took to the road with a seven-week road trip, where meetings and class time were held in parks, exercise included hikes, and my PhD defense took place outside a hotel lobby. Learn to be creative, and don’t be afraid to challenge yourself in life and your career.”

A Lasting Legacy

Buckley’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, adaptability, and embracing diverse perspectives. Her commitment to empowering diverse voices in innovation and her empathetic leadership style have made her a trailblazer in the tech industry, paving the way for future generations of leaders.

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