From coffee cups to code: My journey to Digital at Z

My career didn’t begin with a long-term plan or a defined destination - it started behind the coffee machine at Z Taranaki Street in Wellington. In those early mornings, among the clatter of cups and familiar faces, I learned the true value of service, connection, and presence.

Driven by that passion, I moved into a Store Manager role, then proudly represented my region at the Z Retail Barista Competition—later being named Overall Z Hero for the Lower North Island. Each step taught me leadership, resilience, and the importance of people-first service.

My journey continued at Z’s head office café—the Z Shed—where I entered the corporate world and was honoured with a Z Hero Award for “Having the Passion.” That role became a bridge to something unexpected: technology.

Curious and ready for a challenge, I stepped into the world of digital as a Junior Test Analyst. It was unfamiliar territory -but my experience in hospitality had already equipped me with adaptability, curiosity, and empathy.

Today, I am a Digital Experience Specialist for TDD. In this role, I bring together everything I’ve learned: the empathy and people-focus from hospitality, the adaptability of leadership, and the curiosity and problem-solving mindset I developed in digital. My work is not just about systems or technology—it’s about creating seamless, intuitive, and human-centred experiences.