This is my Zipstory: Q&A with Azeezat

Interested in learning how Zip focuses on identifying, managing, and mitigating risk events? Step forward Azeezat Atanda, Issues and Risk Events Management Officer from Team US.

Tell us who you are, what you do at Zip and a little bit more about your Zipstory

Hi, I’m Azeezat Atanda and I’m the Issues and Risk Events Management Officer at Zip. My role focuses on identifying, managing, and mitigating risk events, ensuring that we learn from incidents to build a stronger and more resilient business.

I joined Zip two years ago, drawn to the company’s dynamic environment and commitment to innovation in risk management. Over time, I’ve worked closely with cross-functional teams to enhance incident response processes, improve governance structures, and strengthen our risk culture. Every day presents a new challenge, which keeps me engaged and always learning.

You’ve been a Zipster for two years now. What has enabled you to accelerate your career fastest during your time here?

The biggest accelerator for my career at Zip has been the trust and ownership given to me from day one. In risk management, things move fast, and I’ve had the opportunity to take initiative, drive key projects, and collaborate with senior leaders early on.

Zip’s culture encourages problem-solving, adaptability, and proactive risk management, which has allowed me to gain exposure to critical business decisions, regulatory challenges, and crisis management scenarios that have expanded my skill set significantly.

In your experience, what are some of the opportunities you get working in the Risk team at Zip that you wouldn’t get working elsewhere?

Working in Risk at Zip means we’re often at the crossroads of strategy, compliance, and operations, which in my experience is a rare and exciting mix. Unlike traditional financial institutions where risk teams can feel siloed, I feel like our team is plugged into every part of the business, responsible for shaping decisions in real-time.

Some other aspects of life at Zip that I feel are unique include the direct access we get to leaders. It’s a real pull knowing that our insights and recommendations are actively shaping company strategy at an exciting time in Zip’s growth story.

We also get to work on a diverse range of real-world incidents in a really ‘hands-on’ way; from one day to the next my work could see me tackling cybersecurity threats or managing operational risk.

And underlying that work is a real culture of innovation at Zip. As a team we’re constantly improving processes and controls rather than following a rigid checklist, which makes my work feel more strategic and impactful than I may have experienced in other organizations. Our often very agile work environment has pushed me to level up in ways I probably wouldn’t have in a more traditional risk role.

Thinking about the way you get your best work done, how does Zip support your wellbeing?

Firstly, having the right support makes a big difference in a company like ours that operates in such a dynamic way. At Zip, I honestly feel as if my wellbeing is genuinely valued, not just talked about.

There’s a strong culture of trust and open communication here, which means I can raise concerns or make decisions under pressure without fear of blame. Also, the processes we have in place are solid, which in my experience can help reduce unnecessary stress when things do go wrong, and I know I have the backing of my team and leaders when I need it.

Furthermore, the flexibility Zip offers, whether it’s around working hours or feeling like I can switch off outside of work hours, really helps me maintain my work-life balance.

At Zip, I’ve found the blend of both structure and support for me wellbeing enables me to handle some of the more intense work moments without fear of burn out.

What excites you most about writing the next chapter of your career story at Zip?

What excites me most is Zip’s evolution and growth in risk management. As we expand and face new challenges, I see an incredible opportunity to build and refine what could end up being industry-leading risk frameworks that don’t just react to everyday issues, but also proactively strengthen our future as a company.

I’m also keen to continue fostering cross-functional collaboration and improving our company-wide appreciation and adoption of our enterprise risk management strategies, ensuring Zip remains a leader in balancing innovation with resilience.