Our Clients

  • St. Paul's School (Concord, NH)

  • Middlesex School (Concord, MA)

  • Saint Ann's School (Brooklyn, NY)

  • Woodberry Forest School (Woodberry, VA)

  • Hawken School (Cleveland, OH)

  • Grace Church School (New York, NY)

  • Hockaday School (Dallas, TX)

  • The Peck School (Morristown, NJ)

  • Episcopal Day School (San Mateo, CA)

  • Chandler School (Los Angeles, CA)

  • Harbor School (Vashon Island, WA)

Heads of School

“Zakaria created a safe space for exploration where I could fully process and explore my fears and challenges as a leader without judgment. The work we did together bolstered my confidence and I’m heading into next school year with renewed energy and a positive outlook on my ability to handle whatever comes my way. ”
— Teri Rutledge, Head of School (Harbor School, WA)

Division Heads

“Working with Zakaria was transformative! He is incisive and empathetic, and he helped me get to a place of stability and confidence in my leadership role. I am more effective and enjoy my job more because of our work together. I can’t recommend him highly enough!”
— Katie McDougall, Director of Lower School (Episcopal Day School, CA)
“In my first year as a division director, I found my coaching with Zakaria to be invaluable. He has a masterful way of asking the right questions to help me clarify my own thinking and focus on what really matters. My capacity as a reflective, decisive leader grew over the course of my work with him. I felt well-equipped to navigate challenging situations guided by my core values. ”
— Laura Reardon, Lower School Director (Chandler School, CA)

DEI Directors

“Working with First Rodeo Coaching has been a clarifying, affirming, and life-giving experience! The regular, empowering conversations with my coach pushed me out of my comfort zone to become the most adaptable leader possible. I learned that during this mid-career season, I can still stretch and do hard things, all while staying true to myself and my core values.”
— Bethany Dickerson Wynder, Director of DEIJ Initiatives (St. Paul's School, NH)
“The coaching came at the perfect time and helped me to thrive in my first year as a senior-level administrator. Zakaria’s genuine concern for my personal and professional wellbeing were felt during each session and I have been changed for the best since working with him. He sees my inner light and makes sure to affirm it even when I don’t always see it for myself.”
— Darnell Epps, Director of DEI (Hawken School, OH)

Middle Leaders

“Zakaria is a master at asking questions that induce deep reflection. He also adeptly builds confidence. Working with him was invaluable as I navigated a new role.”
— Scott Bowman, Assistant Head of Upper School (The Hockaday School, TX)
“Coming into a new school in a leadership role has been a steep learning curve and it was so valuable to have this confidential processing space. Zakaria is a great listener and is genuinely open to feedback, which made the experience that much more productive and authentic.”
— Caitlin Hickerson, Class Dean (Grace Church School, NY)
“The value of my coaching experience with Zakaria cannot be measured or quantified. I feel more confident and more poised when facing adversity, and I am better versed as an action-oriented leader. In a year that has taken some twists and turns, Zakaria’s responsiveness, flexibility, and willingness to make some pivots as needed were true gifts in my life.”
— Jenn Harrison, Interim Lower School Assistant Director (Hawken School, OH)