May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to recognize the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander communities around the world. At PayPal, it’s also a time for employees to reflect on how their heritage shapes the way they work, lead, and connect across teams. We spoke with members of PayPal’s Rise Employee Resource group whose mission is to empower PayPal's Pan-Asian employees to elevate to their full potential.
Meet Han Z. She leads product management for Venmo Credit Card under the Venmo Consumer Financial Services (V-CFS) team.
After graduating from Harvard with a master's degree, she started her career as a product manager in an IoT (Internet of Things) startup, creating smart kitchen solutions that “make cooking easy and fun for everyone.” She then transitioned to TikTok, working on its monetization business, building a marketplace that connects advertisers and creative agencies and leading its expansion from North America to all global markets.
Han joined PayPal and the Venmo team in 2024. In celebration of Rise Heritage Month, we spoke with her to learn more about her career journey at PayPal, her volunteer work with the Rise Employee Resource Group, and why AAPI Heritage Month is important to her.
Tell us a bit about your career journey. How long have you worked at PayPal?
“I joined PayPal in July last year and it has been a very exciting ride for me so far. I have so much passion and love for the credit card domain that I own under Venmo, one of the fastest growing business lines within PayPal and I genuinely believe in its vast potential.”
"I'm honored to be part of RISE ERG, where I've met inspiring colleagues who volunteer their time to uplift the community. They've set an example that motivates me to keep giving back."
How has your cultural background shaped your career journey, and how do you work to restore or preserve your heritage in your daily life or workplace?
“I spent the first 22 years of my life growing up in Beijing, China, and my cultural heritage has profoundly shaped who I am today. Its emphasis on hard work and perseverance instilled in me the value of diligence and lifelong learning—principles that continue to guide both my personal and professional growth. Rooted in the cultural ideal of harmony, I also developed a strong ability to navigate group dynamics and mediate conflict—an essential skill in my role as a product manager, where effective communication and collaboration are key.
Today, I’m proud to serve as a co-lead for the Business Development pillar of the Rise ERG at PayPal, where I focus on elevating awareness of the Pan-Asian community both internally and within the broader small business ecosystem. As part of our AAPI Month initiatives, I helped organize this year's leadership panel featuring several exceptional Asian leaders at PayPal, who generously shared their career journeys and insights.”
What advice would you give to other colleagues looking to build community, grow their careers, or get involved through employee resource groups like Rise?
"Getting involved in an ERG has really helped me feel a stronger sense of belonging in the workplace. There are so many ways for everyone to get involved. You can start by simply attending the many events we host—they’re open to all employees. And if you’re looking to be more engaged, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities within each ERG where you can give back to the community and explore your creativity."
Click here to learn more about Belonging at PayPal