Kayla Parker, Creator Manager at Zalando, joins Janine Matos to explore the innovative and fast-evolving world of creator live-streams in fashion and lifestyle e-commerce.

Kayla shares how live streaming is a marketing space full of opportunity, and she unpacks successful formats, important metrics and data, and new ways to engage audiences. 
From finding the right creators with strong storytelling skills, to navigating the technical realities of live production, she explains why preparation, on-the-spot decision making, and team collaboration are key to success.

While live-streaming is all about experimentation, teamwork, and the excitement of building something new, Kayla’s three Pieces of Me reflect the power of cultural connection; from literature, to fashion to French Toast Casserole.

For more information on jobs like Kayla’s go to jobs.zalando.de

Katja Schmökel, Team Lead in Partner Communication at Zalando, joins Janine Matos to explore what it takes to help Zalando’s partners thrive in a fast-moving but highly regulated industry.

Katja explains how partner communication sits at the heart of the fashion and lifestyle ecosystem; ensuring brands and retailers can navigate the Zalando platform and understand the often complex regulations involved.

The conversation also explains that while AI is beginning to reshape communication strategies, Katja’s people-first outlook is what give purpose to her career.

Katja’s “Pieces of Me” reflect that outlook. They include keepsakes from the Christmas party and a bunch of flowers that have an important and enduring message about how team culture really works.

To find out more about careers like Katja’s go to jobs.zalando.de

Lilli Ferreira, Global Social Media Manager at Zalando, joins Janine Matos to unpack what it takes for brands to build community on social media.

Lilli explains Zalando’s social team social strategy and execution, how they react in real time to big pop culture moments, and stays “chronically online” to keep pace with fast-moving trends. 
The conversation explores why different platforms demand different approaches, and how total trust within the team is essential to enable instant decision-making.
Lilli’s “Pieces of Me” represent the music dreams of her childhood, her delight in being a “Swiftie”, and staying connected to culture.

Find out more about careers like Lilli’s at jobs.zalando.de

Carlos Cardenas, Principal Analyst at Zalando Data Foundation, joins Janine Matos to explore how data becomes truly valuable when teams know how to use it.

Carlos explains the role of the Zalando Data Foundation and how his team supports colleagues across the business to use date effectively. The conversation covers the importance of the right tools, and the difference between “big data” and “great data”,  and improving data literacy through the Zalando Data Hub.

Beyond data best practice, Carlos shares the experiences that have helped form his approach to work. Tattoos, dogs and marathon training all play a part in shaping Carlos’ self-discipline and personal growth.

Find out more about careers in fashion and lifestyle e-commerce at jobs.zalando.de

In this special episode, Janine Matos looks back on the interviews and conversations of Pieces of Me in 2025, to bring you the standout advice and insights shared by guests.

From reflections on Zalando’s OFMs (Our Founding Mindsets) to career guidance from experts in team culture, tech innovation, social impact and economics, this episode brings together voices from across the business, including Christoph Gädeke, Pia Ahlgren, Dunja-Maria Bischof, Lara Gesche and Gregory Crawford. 

This is a chance to hear what we can all do to grow, find purpose and build happiness at work.

If you’re interested in a career in fashion and lifestyle e-commerce, visit jobs.zalando.de

In this episode of Pieces of Me, Janine Matos sits down with Alice Marshall, Director of Pre-Owned at Zalando, to explore the boom in pre-owned fashion.

Alice talks us through the creative and operational engine behind Zalando’s recommerce operation. She explains how customers can trade in their as-new or gently worn items, and what it takes to build a trusted, high-quality secondhand experience at scale. The conversation covers how Zalando is grabbing the growing opportunity in kids’ pre-owned clothes and how her team is redefining what circular fashion can look like.

Alice’s three “Pieces of Me” represent her personal connection to fashion, the important milestones in her life, and the collaborative, creative process that has shaped her career. 

If you’re interested in a career in fashion and lifestyle e-commerce, visit jobs.zalando.de

In this episode of Pieces of Me, Janine Matos is joined by Lara Gesche, Principal of Social Impact at Zalando, for a conversation about giving back to society, contributing to community, and the role businesses can play beyond commercial success.

Lara breaks down our three core pillars: volunteering, humanitarian aid, and Zalando’s key strategic Social Impact initiatives: the Circularity Masterclasses and the Design Academy - two educational programmes that enable upcoming designers to support the transition of our industry towards a more sustainable and circular one. She explains the deep thinking behind the pillars and shares how we can get involved in all kinds of sectors.

Lara unpacks the deep thinking behind these pillars and shares how Zalando employees have the opportunity to give back in all kinds of sectors. Lara also explains her excitement about investing in the fashion and lifestyle designers of the future and creating a more responsible fashion industry.

Lara’s “Pieces of Me” highlight the importance of purpose-driven work, collaboration, and using fashion as a vehicle for change.

To learn more about careers at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com

Janine sits down with Xiaoxia Qiu, VP of Zalando’s Tech Hub in Shenzhen China, to discuss an exciting new avenue for fashion and lifestyle sales.

The conversation covers Xiaoxia ’s experience in building the company’s first tech centre in China, the challenges of bridging cultural attitudes toward work between China and Europe, and his team’s innovative approach to improving their English communication skills.

Xiaoxia explains the thinking behind bringing the Chinese approach to social media commerce to Zalando’s European markets; a process that blends his team’s experience of engineering, tech, data modelling with local expertise of the products and culture.

His three pieces of me include a selfie, family, and a drum with a remarkable history as well as significance in todays workplace.

To learn more about careers at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com.

Lucy Stubley, Principal D&I Talent & Leadership at Zalando, and Vanessa Sanyauke join Janine Matos to explore empowerment, diversity, and inclusion in the modern workplace; with a special focus on women in tech.

Vanessa shares her inspiring journey as the founder of Girls Talk and the Black Girls Tech Summit, two initiatives dedicated to encouraging Black women to pursue careers in technology and leadership. Lucy reflects on her role at Zalando and the company’s ongoing commitment to increasing representation and fostering inclusivity.

The conversation highlights the importance of mentorship, community, and taking bold steps toward career growth.

Lucy and Vanessa’s “Pieces of Me” each reflect personal stories that reveal how heritage and resilience have shaped their professional journeys, alongside the importance of community and lifting up others.

To learn more about careers at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com.

Pia Ahlgren and Dunja-Maria Bischof, Site Operations Leads at Zalando, join the podcast to deep-dive into their roles supporting tech operations in Zalando’s international sites.

As the pair explain to Janine, Zalando’s Hubs are vital to the tech innovation that drives success in fashion and lifestyle e-commerce.

The Hubs show that Zalando is a serious employer of tech talent; from using data science and AI to help solve the biggest challenges in the fashion industry, to creating the tech that lies behind delivering customer orders.

Pia Ahlgren and Dunja-Maria also each bring three items to the studio that represent personal milestones and career lessons, from an octopus, to archery’s focus and balance and an important symbol of “inclusivity by design”

To learn more about careers at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com