Beyond the high-frequency hum of the sales floor, there is another rhythm pulsing through Airwallex. It is the sound of “Mission Control” – the Strategy, Legal, Marketing, Communications and Operations teams who build the invisible frameworks allowing our global business to scale without losing its soul.
In these roles, the International Women’s Day theme Give to Gain takes on a structural meaning. It isn’t about a single deal; it’s about architecting an environment where knowledge is shared, space is protected, and advocacy is the default setting.
We spent the afternoon walking through the office to meet the women moving the needle behind the scenes. And because Airwallex famously started life as a coffee shop, we made sure to catch them over their favourite brews.
The mandate of growth
We start in a quiet, sunlit corner of the Legal pod on the south side of the London office with Marlot Cuppen, Senior Counsel. She’s focused on a complex commercial contract, her Decaf Flat White a steady companion that mirrors the calm, analytical pace of her work. For Marlot, “Give to Gain” is less of a slogan and more of a leadership responsibility.
“Growth comes with an obligation,” Marlot says, looking up from her screen. “As we gain influence, we have to make it easier for others to grow alongside us. I try to create psychological safety – clarity and approachability – so people feel safe to take ownership. Good work rarely speaks for itself in a fast-moving company; we have to be deliberate about calling out contributions and opening doors for each other.”
“Visibility and encouragement can shift someone’s confidence and trajectory more than we realise.” — Marlot Cuppen, Senior Counsel, Commercial Legal, EMEA
The architecture of advocacy
Heading over to the busy Communications desk, we find Stephanie Wasserman (pictured), Senior Manager, clutching a classic Flat White – the no-nonsense fuel for someone whose day revolves around high-stakes messaging. Stephanie is a firm believer that equity requires more than just good intentions – it requires structural change. She was part of the internal group that successfully advocated for increasing maternity leave in the UK to 26 weeks.
“Giving opens the door to a more inclusive environment for everyone,” Stephanie explains. “Whether it’s mentoring or spotlighting a colleague’s work, advocacy benefits the whole organisation. By championing flexibility and ambition openly, we’ve helped normalise conversations that encourage both women and men to support one another more intentionally.”
“Creating equity requires active participation. It’s about giving your time and advocacy to create opportunities for women to shine.” — Stephanie Wasserman, Senior Manager, Communications, EMEA
The currency of trust
In the Paris office, Maha Zerkdi, Manager of Revenue Strategy & Operations, is talking through the year’s roadmap over a Latte (regular milk, no sugar) – an order that, like her strategy work, gets straight to the point. Maha understands the weight of being “trusted in the room.” Her career trajectory was shaped by a manager who handed her full ownership of a cross-regional strategy project before she felt fully ready.
“That level of trust changed how I view my own potential,” Maha says. “Now, I try to be the person I wish I had a few years ago. Mentors give advice, but sponsors actively open doors and put their name behind you. I’m giving more visibility to others this year, because that’s the only way we all grow together.”
“Move beyond mentorship to real sponsorship. Sponsors advocate for you in rooms you’re not even in.” — Maha Zerkdi, Manager, Revenue Strategy & Operations, EMEA
Breaking the silos
We catch Leah Godden (pictured), Senior Manager, Field & Partner Marketing, grabbing a Skinny Latte (a classic Aussie choice) as she moves between event briefings and co-marketing opportunities. For Leah, giving is about transparency; ensuring that no one on the team is forced to reinvent the wheel.
“If you want to go far, go together,” Leah says, citing a team favourite. “I proactively share workarounds or insights from my campaigns so others can learn from my mistakes. Trust is the ultimate gift a colleague can give you; I’ve done my best work when I’ve been trusted to tackle a problem head-on.”
“There’s usually someone else in the company facing a similar problem. Proactively sharing knowledge helps the wider team win.” — Leah Godden, Senior Manager, Field & Partner Marketing
The cycle of courage
Finally, we find Xiran Ma, Associate in Onboarding Operations, fuelled by a Black Coffee – the raw, efficient power required to keep up with the high-volume ops environment. Xiran brings a specific kind of energy to her team, one rooted in the idea of “learning in public.”
“I try to be the first to ‘jump’ into new challenges,” Xiran says. “It creates a cycle of courage. If I step up, it might give someone else the encouragement to voice their ideas. This year, I’m also giving my empathy to my colleagues becoming parents – being that teammate they can trust while their lives are changing.”
“When people see their feedback turn into action, they gain the confidence to keep contributing.” — Xiran Ma, Associate, Onboarding Operations, Enterprise
The Year Ahead: Building Collective Impact
As the afternoon light fades, and the office starts to eye the fridge for the post-work soft drinks (or Meg’s “drinks trolley” if it’s a Thursday), the common thread among these “Architects” is clear: progress at Airwallex isn’t accidental; it’s engineered.
Marlot is heading into the year focused on intentional sponsorship, creating real stretch opportunities for those coming up behind her. Stephanie is doubling down on spotlighting talent to ensure diverse perspectives aren’t just heard, but integrated into the business’s DNA.
Meanwhile, Maha and Leah are trading coaching and visibility, ensuring that the Strategy and Marketing teams are constantly sharing their “secret sauce.” And Xiran is keeping the team grounded, offering the empathy and support needed as her “team family” grows in more ways than one.
At Airwallex, Mission Control only runs smoothly if we’re all willing to put in the time to keep the signals clear.
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