Meet the incredible people behind ECE! Our "Meet the Team" blog series gives you a glimpse into the talented individuals who make ECE shine. Learn more about the faces behind our success!
Meet Zak.
Meet Zak Holochwost, Market Research Manager and ECE® Aid Lead at ECE. With nearly two decades at ECE, Zak combines data-driven insights with a passion for supporting refugees and international students through meaningful partnerships. Outside of work, he’s a lifelong drummer, music lover, and road trip enthusiast who enjoys exploring cultures through travel and vegetarian cuisine. Curious to learn more? Let’s dive into his Q&A!
Q & A Session.
Q: What do you do at ECE? What excites you most about your position and/or your team.
As the lead for ECE® Aid, I'm able to work with a large variety of diverse organizations and schools building partnerships and collaborative efforts together. I've met so many great people doing inspiring work through refugee resettlement and other areas dealing with international education and support services.
Additionally, all of the ECE Aid recipients we serve have been an inspiration to me, showing the incredible lengths people go through in their journeys toward education, work, and contributing to their communities.
As Market Research Manager, I get to look into our competitive environment and also research topics that relate to our services and more broadly to international education. It allows me to utilize my educational background and is really interesting for me to research and recommend improved ways to provide ECE services. It makes me feel like I have a small influence on the direction of our organization.
Q: What do you like most about working at ECE?
I've been at ECE for almost two decades and what has kept me around is the immense diversity of people we work with, the many colleagues I've met through the years that I consider close friends, and the always changing, ever interesting world of international education. ECE also provides a lot of flexibility in our work life that I've not had in previous jobs.
Q: What’s one of your favorite activities when you’re not working? Tell us something that others might find surprising.
I love music. All kinds of music. One of my favorite things to do is to go to concerts and listen to bands play live. I've also had the pleasure of finally being able to bring my kids to shows to see their favorite bands. And to go along with watching and listening to music, I also enjoy performing live with my own bands as I've been a drummer for over 35 years. My involvement in music has not only provided a creative outlet for me, it has also been a driving factor in the majority of my friendships with folks outside of my professional life.
Q: Where have you traveled inside or outside of the U.S.? Do you have a favorite country, city, or region that you like to visit?
I've had the privilege of traveling all over the U.S. (I think there are only four or five states I haven't been to) and I absolutely love road trips. I think road trips allow for more engagement with local culture and experiences. Outside of the U.S., I've traveled to Canada, Vietnam, Japan, England, France, Brazil, India, South Korea, and Germany.
I don't have a favorite because every country offers so many unique experiences, but I have particularly enjoyed my trips to Japan, Germany, and Brazil for various reasons related to music and friendships in those countries.
Q: Do you have a favorite cuisine? If yes, a particular dish you love?
I've been vegetarian for almost 30 years and that lifestyle has introduced me to many different cultures and food. Some of my favorite cultural cuisines are Ethiopian, Persian, Indian, Japanese, and Polish foods. I'll try just about anything once (as long as it's vegetarian). I really enjoy experiencing cultures through food, and with my sweet tooth I absolutely love trying candy and beverages from other countries.
Lightning Round!
Q. Vacation or Staycation?
Vacation - I always want to see and experience new things, so I'll always suggest vacations. However, I do love a nice cozy night in my home as well.
Q. Night or morning?
Night - I wish I were a morning person, but I'm most engaged and creative at night.
Q: Passenger or driver?
Driver - Maybe I have trust issues?
Q: Cooking or being cooked for?
Cooking - I love cooking. Though I won't say no to someone cooking for me!
Q: Attend a party or host a party?
Host a party - If I host a party, then I can't flake out. And I also like the comfort of my own home.
Q. Fiction or nonfiction?
Nonfiction - I've been reading more fiction recently, but I love a good non-fiction book that will teach me something about the world.
Q. Hot or iced coffee?
Iced coffee - I start the day with a hot coffee, but then I always move on to iced coffee (year-round). To me, iced coffee is less acidic, more refreshing, and if brewed properly, has more caffeine in it (which I absolutely need throughout the day)!
Q. Reality shows or documentaries?
Documentaries - I watch a few reality shows, but as a genre I've never really gotten into many reality shows.
Our "Meet the Team" blog series showcased the incredible people behind ECE, highlighting the talents and passions that shaped our culture and fueled our success. Thank you for joining us on this journey!