Senior Leadership Team

James Kozik

Divisional Chief Executive Officer

A highly experienced payments and technology executive with a demonstrated ability to drive transformative change and scale businesses. His leadership spans multiple disciplines, encompassing COO, CTO, and strategic product development roles.  James has a proven track record of rebuilding and scaling technology businesses in senior roles with businesses such as Clearbox, Yarra Valley Water and SecurePay. A results-driven innovator, James excels at aligning technology with business needs.

Prasan Fernando

Chief Technology Officer

Prasan, CTO at Zai, brings over two decades of technology leadership across payments, fintech and enterprise technology. His extensive experience spans digital transformation, IT strategy, cybersecurity and the development of secure, scalable platforms within complex, regulated environments. With a proven track record of developing patented payment innovations, including PayXCrypto at Novatti Group, and delivering award-winning fraud prevention and payment systems, Prasan combines strategic vision with hands-on execution. His expertise across compliance frameworks, including ISO 27001 and PCI DSS, is instrumental in strengthening Zai’s technology platform and its commitment to trust, security and reliability.

Taylan Bozkurt

Head of Enterprise Risk 

Taylan Bozkurt is a highly experienced risk leader with a decade of expertise across payments, superannuation and funds management. As Head of Enterprise Risk at Zai, he specialises in delivering comprehensive risk transformation programs and embedding robust risk frameworks across complex regulated environments. Taylan’s extensive career includes key risk management and governance positions at leading financial organisations Northern Trust, Australian Retirement Trust and QIC. A strategic thinker with a comprehensive background in law and finance, he is focused on driving a mature risk culture that aligns regulatory compliance with strategic business growth.

Srinandhini (Sri) Mahendran

People and Culture Manager

Srinandhini (Sri) brings experience across people strategy, organisational development, talent acquisition and employee relations to her role as People and Culture Manager at Zai. She partners with senior leaders to build a high-performing, engaged and inclusive organisation, aligning people practices with business priorities while strengthening culture, leadership capability and organisational effectiveness. With experience spanning technology, PropTech, migration and education consulting, and the not-for-profit sector, Sri combines commercial thinking with a people-first approach. Holding qualifications in Human Resources Management and Computer Science, she is focused on developing scalable people practices, enhancing organisational capability and creating an exceptional employee experience that supports Zai's continued growth.