Part two of our International Women’s Day series exploring leadership.
In our previous blog, we looked at what “Give to Gain” means to women across Zepz, and the role mentorship and advocacy play in lifting others up. Support is only one part of the story though, leadership also plays a critical role in shaping environments where people feel empowered to contribute, grow and thrive.
At Zepz, leadership isn’t only about delivering results – it’s about creating a culture where people feel valued and able to make an impact. For Charity Shah, Vice President of Product, leadership is about creating an environment where people feel seen, supported and empowered to make a difference. “I hope my team feels heard. I hope they feel they’re being set up for success, and the work they do is important. I hope they feel empowered to make a change when things are not working. The work we do at Zepz gives us a great opportunity to make a difference. Our mission is to create prosperity and break down barriers for cross-border communities, no matter what their gender. So, having empowered teams that deliver solutions against that mission will have a positive impact on women everywhere Zepz operates.”
That purpose-led approach is echoed by Alice Zang, Senior Product Manager, who believes leadership should be grounded in empathy and values. “I hope I’m able to show that leadership can be empathetic, inclusive and not ego-driven. I hope that we can create a culture that is more sustainable and value-driven.”
Inclusive leadership also depends on male allies who help build fairer environments for everyone. As Arnab Roychowdhury, Head of Compliance, highlights: “I hope I’m modelling leadership that displays fair treatment for my co-workers regardless of their sex.”
– Charity Shah, Vice President of Product
While many leaders are working to create more inclusive workplaces, there is still progress to be made – particularly when it comes to representation and recognition. Nika Naghavi, Director of Strategic Partnerships, reflects on the subtle but persistent challenges many women continue to experience in the workplace and her hopes for the future. “I’d like for the next generation of women not to have to work harder just to be considered equally credible. Many of us have experienced it – subtle moments where you’re interrupted, where your analysis is re-explained back to you, or where the same point seems to land differently when repeated by a male colleague. It’s rarely dramatic. It’s just embedded.”
For her, real progress will come when credibility is no longer shaped by gender. “The change I want to see is simple: credibility that isn’t gendered. An environment where expertise is assumed based on capability, not filtered through bias. Where women can spend their energy shaping strategy and building systems – not managing perception. If the next generation can focus on impact instead of constantly establishing legitimacy, that will be real progress.”
The idea of representation is also a critical factor in driving change forward. As Product Director, Kerri Shilts, explains, the higher you look in many organisations, the fewer women you see. “The most glaring gap remains at the top. As we look further up the corporate ladder, female representation thins out, and that is a systemic problem. When we lack women in senior leadership, we lose out on the diversity of opinion and perspective that drives real innovation.”
Closing that gap requires deliberate action. “Progress requires a concentrated, intentional effort to hire and promote women into executive roles. We need to ensure the leadership table actually reflects the world we live in.”
For Freda Groenewald, Director of Corporate Development, building that future also means changing how we think about career paths – particularly for mothers.“I want future generations of women – especially in fast-paced and (currently) male-dominated industries – to see leadership roles filled with women who are also mothers, without it being framed as extraordinary.”
Policies such as equal parental leave can play a powerful role in normalising caregiving responsibilities. “When caregiving is shared equally by all parents, women are no longer disproportionately impacted. I also hope leadership representation continues to evolve. Not just more women in the room, but more diverse women in the room. Representation changes ambition – when you can see someone who looks like you at the table, you believe you belong there too.”
Justine Dinter, Chief People Officer, sees encouraging progress in organisations that are actively confronting these challenges. “I hope we have made a difference at Zepz through value creation, culture development and I truly think we’re out there in terms of having such naturally diverse, mission driven teams. However, it’s typically true that the percentage representation of female leaders decreases as roles become more senior in a company’s structure. Progress is being made but I hope to see much more of this.”
Alongside representation and policy changes, many of our female leaders also emphasised the importance of confidence, authenticity and community – especially for women starting out in their careers.
For Charity, leadership begins with honesty and vulnerability. “If I could talk to my younger self I’d tell myself that it’s okay to show vulnerability, to be honest, and to ask for help. Do not try to adhere to the traditional mold of leadership. I’m most comfortable when I’m able to show emotions, admit mistakes, say when I don’t know everything and that I need help.”
Kerri highlights the importance of community and supporting one another. “There will always be noise – don’t let it distract you from your value. Be unapologetically true to yourself. Beyond that, don’t try to go it alone. Identify a strong group of friends and seek out female role models who have paved the way. Most importantly: always support other women. Our collective power is much greater than our individual hustle.”
Arnab also encourages confidence, “my advice is to have confidence in your own knowledge and beliefs and to let that confidence come through in what you say and how you act.” A belief shared by Justine who also reminds us that sometimes the most valuable contribution is the one that challenges the room. “Have confidence in being yourself. Be proud of your skills, personality and opinions – if those opinions are different to every other person in the room, that doesn’t make them any less valid. Sometimes the most valuable thought in the room is the different view.”