This is my Zipstory: Q&A with Brooke

Brooke Lewis is an FP&A Manager in our ANZ Finance team. Hear what she believes makes working in Finance unique at Zip, and the factors that have supported her wellbeing and career growth during her first three years at Zip.

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

Hi, I’m Brooke, and I’m an FP&A (Financial Planning & Analysis) Manager in the ANZ Finance team. My journey began just shy of three years ago in Sydney when I made the leap from consulting into my first in-house corporate role. I started as a Senior Analyst at the time of joining, which saw me step into a high-growth environment that challenged me in all the right ways, working closely with senior management and our team to deliver the ANZ budget, forecasts, and all the performance reporting and analysis in between.

I graduated from university in Perth, and early in my career, a secondment opportunity in Forensic Accounting brought me to Sydney. What was meant to be a one-year stint turned into five, including two years spent in the Zip Sydney office.

As much as I loved Sydney and the opportunity I had to really take my experience in finance to the next level, the West coast will always be home, so a year ago, I felt the call to return to my roots, and Zip fully supported my move.

Now, I work remotely from a small coastal country town in WA, proving that career growth and lifestyle flexibility can go hand in hand. Zip’s trust and flexibility have allowed me to continue making an impact in my role, no matter where I am.

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

One of the biggest opportunities at Zip is the direct access we have to senior management and leaders. In many companies, FP&A can feel like a back-office function, but here, we’re at the table, influencing decisions and driving commercial outcomes. We’re encouraged to ‘Own It,’ which means we’re not just crunching numbers - we’re actively shaping strategy, providing insights, and having a real impact on the business.

Coming from consulting, I expected lots more structure in an in-house role, but Zip is different. Unlike traditional corporate environments that I’ve experienced where layers of approval and different processes can bog things down, at Zip, we work smarter. I believe that if you see an opportunity, you’re empowered to take it.

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

For me, doing my best work means having the right balance between structure, flexibility… and a little lightheartedness in between! Zip really supported my wellbeing when I made the decision to move home to be with my family, as I didn’t have a support network I needed in Sydney. I swapped the concrete jungle for the bush, and it has been the best move for my nervous system and long-term stability in corporate life.

The trust Zip has in its people is something I don’t take for granted. Being fully remote from my small coastal town in Western Australia, I’ve been empowered to structure my workdays in a way that maximizes both productivity and wellbeing, without the need for micromanagement. The autonomy has been a game-changer.

Beyond flexibility, the culture of support at Zip plays a huge role in wellbeing. Even though I work remotely, I never feel disconnected. There’s a strong emphasis on collaboration, open communication, and making sure everyone feels included, no matter where they’re working from. That level of trust and connection allows me to perform at my best while maintaining a lifestyle that keeps me happy, healthy, and engaged.

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

When I first joined Zip, we were moving at pace in an environment where we didn’t have all of the answers, and there was a focus on delivery. It was a high-energy, high-growth environment where you had to be adaptable, think on your feet, and get things done. That experience shaped me into a manager pretty quickly because at Zip, when you step up, you’re trusted to take ownership and lead.

The ‘Own It’ culture here is real. From day one, I have been encouraged to take initiative, solve problems, and drive impact beyond my immediate role. Rather than waiting to be told what to do, I learned to make decisions, challenge the status quo, and find the best way forward. That level of autonomy has been a huge factor in my career growth.

Which chapter in your Zipstory, that not a lot of people may know about, makes you most proud to be a Zipster?

What excites me most is that the next chapter at Zip is unknown - and that’s what makes it so exciting. Zip is constantly adapting, evolving with the market, and redesigning itself to stay ahead. It’s not a place where things stay static; new roles, opportunities, and challenges are always emerging. The ability to shape my own path and step into spaces that didn’t even exist a year ago is what keeps me engaged and growing.

We are transitioning into a next-gen financial services provider, and it will be incredible to see where this takes us. With new products, strategies, and innovations in motion, the landscape is shifting, and so are the opportunities within the business. Being part of a company that embraces change and reinvention means my career can evolve just as quickly. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next and how I can continue to make an impact in ways I might not even foresee today.