Meet our 2025 ANZ ZipSTAR Award winners

Drum roll please....Announcing our annual ANZ ZipSTAR award winners for 2025! Each of the winning Zipsters have set the standard across their teams and the company, making game-changing contributions in their work over the last 12 months.

These individuals represent many different teams, functional and locations across Australia and New Zealand, and were voted for by their fellow Zipsters across a number of award categories, representing Zip's values.

Please join us in celebrating these game-changing Zipsters and take a read of just some of the testimonials their colleagues gave when voting for them :)

🏆 ZipSTAR of the Year: Renamed last year to the Diamond Award, this award recognises an exceptional Zipster whose impact has made a significant difference across the company. This individual leads with a customer-first mindset, takes ownership, drives collaboration, and consistently delivers results that move Zip forward.

Winner: Tolga Akin, Director, Engineering

✨”What truly distinguishes Tolga is the way he leads through challenges. Despite the scale of effort required he consistently shows up for his team and fellow Zipsters with respect, positivity, and calm — setting the standard for leadership when it matters most.”

🏆 Change the Game Award: Celebrates a Zipster who accelerates our strategic priorities by adapting quickly, experimenting boldly, and raising the bar for themselves and the team. Their commitment to excellence helps modernise and strengthen Zip.

Winner: Shitiz Garg, Staff Software Engineer

✨“Shitiz has been instrumental in single-handedly transforming how Zip works with AI and how we deliver information across the company. A true pioneer and leader, his foresight and willingness to push boundaries have fundamentally changed how we learn, explore ideas, and solve problems across the business - truly exemplifying what it means to #ChangeTheGame.”

🏆 Own It Award for Rookie of the Year: Celebrates a new Zipster who made an immediate impact through smart prioritisation, fast delivery, and strong ownership. They balance risk and reward, step up to solve problems, and consistently drive scalable, innovative outcomes.

Winner: Rosie Bradley, Associate Director, Strategy ANZ

✨”Always willing to support the business in whatever way is needed, incredibly generous with her time, a critical thinker and a pleasure to work with, Rosie has been a brilliant addition who has smashed her first year, driving Zip’s 3-year strategy forward and truly embodying all of our values.”

🏆 Customer First Award: Honours a Zipster who champions customer needs, seeks their voices, and delivers smarter, faster outcomes. They act with care and advocate confidently through deep product understanding.

Winner: Ethan Larsson-Cain, Customer Experience Specialist I

✨ “Ethan constantly receives praise for his friendly service and empathetic tone, going above and beyond to ensure customer needs are addressed and following up directly to make sure they’re satisfied or need additional help. He truly values customer satisfaction and champions the customer at every opportunity.”

🏆 Stronger Together Award for Team of the Year: Recognises a team that unites around collaboration and respect, working efficiently to deliver stronger results. They enable each other’s success and elevate outcomes through candid feedback.

Winner: Customer Experience (CX)

✨“With an impressive number of votes, the CX team has taken change in their stride, sitting on the front line of every launch, comms, fee change and remediation, and consistently acting as the backbone and heartbeat of the organisation. Renowned for their supportive culture, adaptability and Customer-First mindset, CX continues to drive innovation, insight and impact across Zip.”

🏆 Zipsters’ Zipster Award: Honours our ultimate culture ambassador. Someone approachable, dependable, and passionate about making Zip an incredible place to work.

Winner: Julio Osias, Customer Experience Specialist II

✨“Julio is a true ambassador of the Zip spirit, always dropping everything to help, going above and beyond for teammates and customers alike. Incredibly kind, knowledgeable and selfless, he guides and supports others without judgement, lifts new starters, and genuinely cares about team wellbeing.”

Congratulations to all our 2025 winners, and to the many other Zipsters who were shortlisted. Thank you all for your efforts!