#ClouderaLife Employee Spotlight: Meet Orla McCarthy, Cloudera’s Vice President of Professional Services, EMEA
Working together across 31 countries means that teamwork and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do at Cloudera.
The unique corporate culture that makes Cloudera what it is today is due, in part, to leaders like Orla McCarthy – a long-time Clouderan who does what she can to foster development, support growth and encourage opportunities for those she works with, just as she experienced in her own journey.
Her professional background includes years of experience in professional services working with teams around the globe. Most recently, she was with Hortonworks – a company that merged with Cloudera in 2019 – marking a pivotal moment that brought Orla and many of her talented colleagues into the Cloudera family. Today, she’s Cloudera’s Vice President of Professional Services for the EMEA region and has valuable insights to share about the path she took to get here.
Let’s meet Orla McCarthy and learn more about what it’s like growing a career with Cloudera.
Tell us about your career journey at Cloudera. How has the organization supported your growth and development along the way?
When I joined the company nine years ago, I had no idea what kind of rollercoaster I was about to get on. At the time, there wasn’t even an office in Cork, now it’s grown into Cloudera’s European hub.
I started in operations but soon moved over to professional services, not knowing much about the field. Over the eight years since, I’ve had the chance to work with amazing teams across Europe, each role stretching me, challenging me, and giving me new perspective.
Now, I am the Vice President of Professional Services for EMEA and lead an exceptionally talented and lovely team. Together, we help our clients unlock the full value of their data by providing expert services that ensure success throughout their digital transformation journeys.
What got me here was a willingness to be open to change and say yes to opportunities – even if I wasn’t sure I was ready for them. What’s kept me growing: A mix of great mentors, a team that brings out the best in me, and a culture that gives you the space to take risks, make mistakes, learn from them, and keep moving forward. That pattern has continued throughout my journey from leading regional teams to ultimately stepping into the VP role.
Who has inspired you in your career and why?
My former boss and mentor at Hortonworks. Early on, he recognized something in me and decided to bring me into the professional services team. This opportunity was a game-changer, marking the beginning of my journey.
His leadership style emphasized accountability, a relentless focus on customer success and teamwork and I still carry some of his lessons with me.
How would you describe the professional development, working environment, and culture at Cloudera?
Cloudera’s culture has always been one of support, inclusivity and growth. It’s a place where you’re encouraged to take on new challenges.
There’s a big focus on development, whether it’s through the mentorship program, internal stretch opportunities or just having leaders that want to see you succeed. There is also a strong emphasis on wellbeing, with things like unplug days and dedicated give-back days to support our communities.
One of the defining characteristics of Cloudera culture is that success here isn’t just about hitting targets. Don’t get me wrong, they matter, but it’s about the bigger picture: the impact we’re having on our customers, how the team is growing, and how we’re pushing the business forward in EMEA.
When I see my team delivering great results for our customers and developing both personally and professionally, that’s true success.
What excites you most about your work in professional services at Cloudera?
One of the most rewarding parts of working in professional services at Cloudera is seeing how our technology and my team can make a difference in addressing global challenges. It’s wonderful to be part of projects that not only push the boundaries of innovation, but also make a positive impact in communities worldwide.
A great example is our recent collaboration with Mercy Corps, a nonprofit supporting communities affected by crisis, disaster, poverty, and climate change. Through Tech To The Rescue’s AI program, we built an AI-powered tool designed to provide field teams with quick, data-driven insights. The AI tool summarizes, references, and recommends relevant research, best practices, and crisis response strategies, enabling faster, more informed decision-making in critical and time-sensitive situations.
I’ve learned that success truly takes a village. It’s about showing up, listening, adapting, and moving forward together, and projects like this are a real reminder of why we do what we do, and how technology, when used thoughtfully, can be a powerful force for good.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I love spending my free time exploring new places, learning about different cultures and meeting interesting people. I also prioritize quality time with my family, it's important to me to stay connected with them, especially as we live far away from each other.
Closing Thoughts
Orla McCarthy’s journey offers an inspiring example of what’s possible at Cloudera. She’s proof that if you’re willing to collaborate, ask questions, and say “yes” to new challenges, Cloudera is the perfect place to find meaningful camaraderie, new opportunities and grow your career.
Want to keep reading? Click here to learn more about Cloudera Professional Services, or click here to meet another inspiring Clouderan.