Celebrating women leaders at Zip

This International Women's Month, we're turning the spotlight on six women at Zip who are shaping our culture, pushing boundaries, and showing up as their full selves every day. We asked them to reflect on what they've learned, who's inspired them, and what they're building both professionally and personally.

Their answers are a reminder that leadership is demonstrated every day in not only how we work, but how we show up and open pathways for others.

Ali Beres, Senior Solution Engineer

What's something you've had to unlearn as a woman to grow in your career?

I'm a team player by nature and have always liked bringing others into conversations and collaborating. At the same time, I had to unlearn the mindset that asking for help would make me seem less capable or not as knowledgeable. 

There was always a bit of a lingering thought that it could impact how I'm perceived. Over time, I've realized that collaboration actually builds more trust, not less. I've also gotten better about not saying yes to everything so I can focus on doing my best work.

What's a moment at work where you felt really seen, and why did it matter?

A moment where I felt really seen was presenting on the main keynote stage at Zip Forward 2025. As some of my colleagues know, I grew up playing hockey and now officiate at the national, international, and professional levels, where the ultimate goal is working that big game, and that moment felt like the equivalent in my professional career.

The level of preparation, coordination, and attention to detail that went into the event was eye-opening and being trusted to represent that work on stage meant a lot.

Standing there, it felt like recognition not just of individual effort, but of the team's commitment leading up to it. It was a true highlight moment, and one I won't forget.

What are you building right now, not just in your role, but for yourself?

Right now, I'm focused on continuously leveling up,  both in my role and personally. At work, that looks like refining how I show up in demos, building deeper technical expertise, and really investing in understanding new verticals so I can add more value to the team. 

Outside of work, I have a full schedule training for a full-distance Ironman this fall, competing at the Triathlon Age Group World Championships in Spain, and continuing to pursue my long-term goal of officiating at the 2030 Winter Olympics. With all of that, I'm also intentionally working on slowing things down, being more present and making time for family and friends. It's a constant balance, but one I'm committed to getting right.

Diane Neuroth, Sr. Customer Success Manager

Who's a woman that's shaped how you show up at work, and how?

A former leader of mine really shaped how I show up at work, especially in how she balanced setting clear expectations with being genuinely supportive. She never hesitated to give direct, honest feedback, but it always came from a place of wanting you to grow. You never had to guess where you stood, and that clarity created a strong sense of trust. 

That's something I carry with me now: that being direct and being supportive aren't at odds. When done well, they reinforce each other,  and that combination is what creates both strong performance and strong relationships.

What are you building right now, not just in your role, but for yourself?

At work, I'm focused on building stronger, more scalable ways for my team to operate and succeed. 

Personally, I'm building a life that I'm fully present in. I recently made a big move to London, and I'm really intentional about not letting that experience pass me by. It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, but I'm prioritizing being in it; exploring, experiencing, and actually enjoying this chapter while I'm in it.

What's something you wish more women knew earlier in their careers?

You don't need to wait until you feel completely ready. Most of the time, growth comes from stepping into things before you feel fully prepared and figuring it out as you go. Also, take up space. Share your perspective. You're likely more prepared than you think, and your voice carries more weight than you realize.

Heather Tomlinson, Sr. Manager, Global Payroll

What's something you've had to unlearn as a woman to grow in your career?

Over the years I have had to unlearn that I must feel I can meet 100% of a task's criteria before jumping into it. We tend to believe perfection must be achieved before engaging, however we do not need to be experts to get involved. I unlearned doubt and learned to trust my ability to figure it out, and prioritizing learning new things has helped develop me.

Who's a woman that's shaped how you show up at work, and how?

I learned early on in my career from an amazing woman,  a prior leader and mentor, how important positive leadership is. It truly helps shape who we become professionally. 

I learned that having accountability and empathy, while holding high standards for the job, is the best way for me to show up every day for the team and the company. 

The ability to hold the highest standards of yourself while still being the person to offer support if someone needs a little extra help shows you don't have to choose between being a high-achiever and being a kind human. You can be both.

What's something you wish more women knew earlier in their careers?

Perfection and fear are the enemies of momentum. You do not need to have all of the answers before saying yes to the high-visibility project, because  that project may help you master a new skill. 

Believe in yourself enough to take the leap, as this is how you grow and gain that confidence. Never underestimate what you are capable of. You are an asset.

Parul Schroff, Product Management

What's something you've had to unlearn as a woman to grow in your career?

That I should leave my personality at the door. I laugh with my coworkers, troll them occasionally, and bring my whole self to work. If you can't laugh at yourself every now and then, how are you supposed to survive when everything is on fire?

What's a moment at work where you felt really seen, and why did it matter?

When I briefly dabbled in Solutions Engineering, I was one of three female SEs in a 100+ person SE org and covered the Midwest. Picture a 28-year-old who had never worked in the APIs or iPaaS world before, walking into rooms of very experienced, mostly 45+ year old IT folks, mostly men, and explaining how they should design their integrations and APIs. Not exactly a setting where a young, no-name woman gets automatic credibility!

The fact that they listened was a moment. It also gave me a slightly dangerous amount of confidence that I could probably figure anything out if I put in the effort!

What's something you wish more women knew earlier in their careers?

You made it this far. You will figure out the next part too.

Teesta Kaur, Enterprise Account Manager

What's something you've had to unlearn as a woman to grow in your career?

Over-explaining and trying to prove myself in every conversation. I've learned that in enterprise sales, confidence isn't about saying more, but about being clear on what actually matters. I've had to trust my point of view instead of overcompensating.

What's a moment at work where you felt really seen, and why did it matter?

Coming back after medical leave, getting back into real conversations was a process. What meant the most was when someone recognized how I was showing up, not just outcomes, but that I was leaning back in, asking the right questions, and rebuilding my voice in deals. 

That kind of recognition mattered because it acknowledged the progress, not just the result.

What's something you wish more women knew earlier in their careers?

You don't have to wait until you feel fully confident to show up at a high level. If I waited until I felt 100%, I wouldn't be doing half the things I'm doing right now. Confidence builds because you keep showing up, not before. And often, you're doing better than you think.

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Grace Larrea, Solutions Engineer

What's a moment at work where you felt really seen, and why did it matter?

Making the transition from procurement professional into a Solutions Engineer role was a big leap for me, and in my first year at Zip, I supported over $2.2M in closed-won revenue. 

What meant the most, though, was how my team showed up for me along the way. The constant shoutouts in team meetings, the recognition, and the support that made it clear that my work was seen and valued. That kind of environment pushes you to keep going and keep growing.

What are you building right now, not just in your role, but for yourself?

Right now, I'm really focused on not letting imposter syndrome run the show. When it shows up, I actively work on kicking it out of my mind and re-pivoting instead of sitting in it. 

I'm also working on something simple but surprisingly hard: just taking a compliment. Not deflecting or downplaying, but taking the recognition and saying thank you.

What's something you wish more women knew earlier in their careers?

You don't need to feel 100% ready to take on something new. Most people aren't, they're just willing to figure it out as they go. 

One of my favorite pieces of advice that I actually live by is: proceed until apprehended. 

It pushes me to trust myself, take action, and move forward even when I don't have all the answers. And if I don't know something… I'll figure it out fast.

Building a place where leaders like these thrive

At Zip,we're proud to empower our entire team with the opportuntity to lead with authenticity, resilience, and a commitment to lifting each other up. We work hard to model a company where women have no limits to shape what gets built and how.

If you're a leader looking for a place where you can do your best work surrounded by amazing people like Ali, Diane, Heather, Parul, Teesta, and Grace, we'd love to hear from you. Explore our open roles.