All articles

Celebrating our Zipsterversaries: November - January

Author:

Multiple contributors

Published:

January 29, 2023

Celebrating our Zipsterversaries: November - January

In this reflection, we celebrate three-mendous years for Archana Kanakamedala (Associate Engineering Manager, AU) and foursome years for Robert Reid (Manager, Training & Quality, US) and Adam Schmidt (Principal Engineer, AU).

Archana Kanakamedala (Associate Engineering Manager, AU) - Third Zipsterversary, November 22

Congratulations to one of our rising Technology stars, Archana, who marks three-mendous years as a Zipster this month! Throughout her time with us, Archana puts the growth of her career down to two main things; ownership and support.

“The amount of opportunities we have to shape our careers amazes me. The recent addition of the Associate Engineer Manager role is a good example of how I’ve been backed to grow new skills. I’ve also valued having the freedom to choose streams of work that interest me.”

“One of our core values is ‘Own it’ and that sums up my journey so far. In the same way people say, ‘To err is human’, I believe that ‘to solve it is an Engineer’. At Zip we get the chance to own challenges and come up with solutions.

“A good example is the team’s work around enhancing customer security at login. We shipped an additional step of multi-factor authentication on login at Zip speed. It was rewarding to see our work positively impact so many customers that quickly.”

Thank you Archana for everything you do - and here’s to many more years as a Zipster!

Robert Reid (Manager, Training & Quality, US) - Fourth Zipsterversary, December 22

We’re delighted to round out the year by celebrating Robert Reid’s fourth #Zipsterversary in December! A true OG in our US Customer Experience (CX) team, Rob is proud of his team’s achievements and the impact he’s made working remotely from his home base in Colorado.

“Looking back over my time here, I am very happy with where the team is and how much we have accomplished together.

When I first started, I was one of three CX agents. Seeing how we have grown, being able to give agents a good foundation to start their Zip journey, with a library of information to use is my general happiest moment.

I also love the freedom I have in my position and how we’ve embraced the remote work model. As a team, we know exactly what we need to accomplish and we’re trusted to achieve our goals.

Being a remote worker gives me the opportunity to have that work-life balance which is so important to me. That being said, I have such good relationships with my co-workers even though I haven’t met all of them in person. We still take the time to get to know, and grow, with each other as we continue our journey with Zip.”

Thank you for all you’ve brought to the ZipFam Rob - here’s to another great year ahead for you and the team in 2023!

Adam Schmidt (Principal Engineer, AU) - Fourth Zipsterversary, January 23

What better way to mark the end of a productive first month back on the tools, than by celebrating bona fide Zip legend Adam Schmidt’s foursome years as a Zipster? Adam, a Principal Engineer in our Technology team, believes there are two things that set Zip apart.

“For me, it’s about the reach and impact you can have here, and the leadership that supports you in doing it. I’ve worked in plenty of places where you’re made to know that you’re a small cog in a big machine. It’s awesome to be in a place like Zip that encourages you to do more.

Some of my happiest times have been at our end-of-year celebrations. It’s a yearly reminder of what we’ve accomplished, how far we’ve come, and how great it is to work with the team that we have.

It’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day, but I take it as an opportunity to remind myself that our hard work really does add up to something, and really makes a difference in our customers’ lives. Zip also knows how to party, so you’re guaranteed to have a good time.”

We’re with you Schmidty! Love your work and can’t wait to see what more you and the team deliver in 2023!

Thanks Archana, Rob and Adam for all of your fearless contributions during your time as Zipsters - here's to many more years to come!

Like what you've read?

Check out these other articles

Zipping it forward - our partnership with The DV Collective

Author: Anna Wei and Ying Zhang

Meet two of our fearless Product Managers, Anna Wei and Ying Zhang, and learn how they used their Volunteering Leave to support The DV Collective, a national domestic violence initiative

March 27, 2023

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Inspiring our next generation of female sales leaders

Author: Karen Farrar

In this article, Senior Director, Commercial Karen Farrar reflects on this year's International Women's Day theme and how it resonates given her experiences as a Zipster.

March 16, 2023

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
How we celebrated IWD 2023

Author: Multiple contributors

Learn all about how we recognised International Women's Day 2023 and what a gender equal future looks in the eyes of four of our fearless Zipsters
Sustainability UnZipped: Q&A with Oli

Author: Oli Nelson

We recently sat down with Zip’s Sustainability Associate Oli Nelson to hear what the team have been up to in support of our global Social Impact and Sustainability initiatives.

February 16, 2023

Data, Analytics & Risk
Building a fit-for-purpose modern data stack, part 2.

Author: Moss Pauly

In this second part of a multi-piece article, Moss Pauly, Senior Manager, Data Products, deep dives into the key decisions the team tackled when modernising Zip’s data stack

February 13, 2023

Data, Analytics & Risk
Building a fit-for-purpose modern data stack, part 1.

Author: Moss Pauly

In the first instalment of a multi-part blog post, Sydney-based Zipster Moss Pauly introduces our ANZ data platform and the team’s journey over the last 18 months.

February 15, 2023

Data, Analytics & Risk
Risk UnZipped: Q&A with Mohamed

Author: Mohamed Afifi

Meet Mohamed, based out of our NYC office, who's leading our Enterprise Risk Management strategy at an exciting point in the journey for Zip in the US.
All Things Product: Mel Hambarsoomian

Author: Mel Hambarsoomian

Our Director of Product Design, Melanie, recently sat down to reveal her career highlights, sharing what she looks for in talent, her insights on design maturity, product thinking and design leadership

January 30, 2023

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Flying the flag for men's health

Author: Alan Dick

Enterprise Sales team member Alan Dick shares how his experience of our Parental Leave policy benefited him and his family

January 26, 2023

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
How our Zipsters celebrated Lunar New Year

Author: Multiple contributors

Hear about the significance of Lunar New Year to Jess and Clement, and learn how they celebrate
Making use of our Volunteering Leave

Author: Multiple contributors

Every year Zipsters get 2 days of paid Volunteering Leave. Here's how a couple of the team used theirs...
Engineering UnZipped: Q&A with Nitin

Author: Nitin Khanchandani

Meet ANZ Senior Engineering Manager, Nitin Khanchandani, and get a deep dive into how Zip approaches Quality Engineering
Engineering UnZipped: Q&A with Philip

Author: Philip Laureano

Meet ANZ Engineering Manager, Philip Laureano, and learn about the technology that decides which Zip customers are approved for credit
Engineering Unzipped: Q&A with Autumn

Author: Autumn Ragland

US-based Engineer Autumn shares her experiences as a Zipster
Atomic change and the future of Technology at Zip

Author: George Gorman

ANZ CTO George Gorman gives a glimpse into the opportunities that lie ahead for the team

November 11, 2022

Data, Analytics & Risk
Moving at Zip speed while building data that stands the test of time

Author: Tal Bergman

ANZ Director Data Tal Bergman offers insight into life in the Data & Analytics team
Engineering UnZipped: Q&A with Kalpana

Author: Kalpana Chandrasekar

Meet ANZ Engineering Manager, Kalpana Chandrasekar, from our Shop & Rewards team

November 11, 2022

Data, Analytics & Risk
Master these three skills to grow your data and analytics career

Author: Will Walker

Looking to grow your data and analytics career? ANZ Senior Manager, Analytics Will Walker shares his top tips
View all articles