Embracing Vulnerability as a Tech Leader

Rebekka Beels, Head of Engineering at Zalando, joins Janine Matos for a wide-ranging conversation covering leadership, vulnerability, and what’s required to build inclusive, high-performing teams in tech.Rebekka shares her perspective on what it takes to lead engineering at scale; aligning technical strategy with company goals while fostering a culture of personal ownership and team support. The conversation explores the tech platforms that Zalando uses to deliver customer needs, what leadership looks like in 2025,  and why showing vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness.Rebekka’s three “Pieces of Me” highlight the evolving tech landscape, especially for women in engineering, the influence of her family and the power of understanding one’s own unique strengths.To learn more about careers like Rebekka’s at Zalando, visit jobs.zalando.com