Zakir McKenzie-Parpia

Director of programs

Zakir McKenzie Parpia (Zak) found his way to youth development and nonprofit work via the youth athletics world, coaching kindergarten t-ball and 4th grade boys’ lacrosse as a college student. While teaching preschool Pee-Wee Sports and Movement, his first assignment as a full-time Youth Athletics Coordinator, Zak discovered his love and talent for putting youth development theory into practice, whether on the field or in the classroom. His love of youth development has evolved into an unwavering commitment to support and develop high quality youth development professionals, programs and resources. As the Director of Programs at California School-Age Consortium (CalSAC), Zak supports various training and capacity building programming and oversees the Alameda County Quality Counts partnerships.

Zak grew up in the rainy Pacific Northwest and landed in the Bay Area in 2001 to study sociology, gender & sexuality, and business at the University of San Francisco. Zak has spent his career honing best practices for cultivating learning environments, for youth and adults alike, that center self-reflection, deepen self-awareness and ultimately elevate a critical consciousness. His lived experience as a man of trans experience and a person of color informs how he moves in the world and his commitment to a compassionate, intersectional analysis of youth development, leadership practices and anti-oppression efforts. Zak is passionate about designing and supporting educational opportunities in which youth and adults are challenged intellectually and loved unconditionally. He is an alum of the Surge Institute fellowship for leaders of color in education, a Certified Professional Coach through the Blooming Willow Healing-Centered Coaching program, and an endorsed trainer with Basic Rights Oregon and TransPonder.

He moved to Portland, Oregon in May 2020 with his wife (Jenny), dog (Athena) and cat (Owl), to be closer to family. In November 2020, they welcomed their first human child, Maya Anjali, into the world. When he’s not catching up on sleep, you can find Zak with a good book, on a biking adventure, walking to the park, or listening to podcasts while organizing, cleaning, or building the latest toddler contraption.