In this episode of Culture Uncovered, Jena Dunay sits down with Patti Mancini, SVP of People Ops at Zest AI, to explore what it's like to build culture at a company using AI to make lending more inclusive and accessible.
Patti shares how she found her way to Zest AI by keeping her professional network warm, and what convinced her to join after meeting a leadership team she describes as leading with genuine "joy." The conversation dives into how the company builds connection across a hybrid team split between its Burbank headquarters and a geographically spread-out workforce, from creative virtual events to a buddy system for new hires.
The episode also covers Zest AI's flexible professional development stipend, its track record of translating employee-driven hackathon ideas into real product features, and a candid look at engagement scores that remain consistently high — alongside the company's ongoing focus on communication as it continues to scale.
What You'll Learn
How Zest AI uses machine learning to help lenders make fairer, more inclusive credit decisions
Why keeping your professional network active can lead directly to future job opportunities
How Zest AI builds connection across a distributed team, from birthday celebration clubs to regional employee meetups
What Zest AI's onboarding "Zest friend" program looks like for new hires
How employee-driven hackathons have led to real, shipped product features
What kind of person thrives in Zest AI's fast-paced, high-autonomy environment
Company Highlights
Industry: AI-powered lending technology for financial institutions
Customer Base: Banks, credit unions, and other lenders looking to modernize underwriting and fraud detection
Company Stage: Founded in 2009, ~175 employees, hybrid with a Burbank, CA headquarters and ~40% of staff local to LA
Culture: People-first, mission-driven, collaborative, and fast-paced
Focus Areas: Financial inclusion, employee wellbeing, professional development, and continued growth in engineering and client-facing roles
Unique Perks & Programs
On-Site Manicures and Pedicures: A standout in-office perk for local employees
$1,000 Annual Professional Development Stipend: Flexible funding employees can direct toward learning interests of their choice
Company Hackathons: Cross-functional innovation events that have led to real, implemented product solutions
"Zest Friend" Onboarding Buddy: A peer guide assigned to every new hire to help them acclimate
Cell Phone & Home Internet Stipends: Ongoing support for remote and hybrid work setups
Regional Employee Meetups: In-person gatherings for geographically clustered remote employees, paired with recurring virtual connection events
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