Who is Zac?
Zac is a consultant, educator, and advocate dedicated to advancing child welfare and creating safe, supportive learning environments. With extensive experience in crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, and organizational leadership, He partners with schools, agencies, and universities to build systems that prioritize both staff well-being and positive outcomes for children and families.
Zac’s career has spanned direct practice, higher education, program development, and policy advising, giving him a unique ability to bridge research, practice, and implementation. He works alongside community organizations, public school districts, and child welfare agencies to design and evaluate programs that make a measurable impact.
As a consultant, Zac specializes in:
Child welfare and school-based consulting – helping organizations implement trauma-informed practices and other evidence-based systems.
Training & curriculum design – developing engaging, effective professional learning experiences.
Policy & advocacy advising – aligning programs to best practices with an emphasis on amplifying the voices of children and families.
Organizational culture & change management – cultivating learning organizations and ensuring that systems sustain change and deliver lasting results.
At the core of his work is a belief that every child and adult deserves the chance to develop and thrive.
My Journey
I hold a Master’s in Social Work from the University at Buffalo and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Buffalo State College, and certifications in performance leadership and change management from Cornell University. My academic and professional foundation positions me at the intersection of practice, research, and innovation.
I began my career on the frontlines as a direct care worker and clinician in foster care, residential treatment, a prison, and medical settings. These experiences shaped my deep understanding of human behavior, crisis intervention, and trauma-responsive care. Over time, I advanced into leadership and training roles, bringing a systems-level perspective to program development, instructional design, and implementation science.
Currently, I serve as an Extension Associate at Cornell University, where I train, consult, and evaluate agencies across the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe. My work includes:
Designing and evaluating evidence-infomred curricula in crisis intervention and trauma-informed care.
Supporting organizations in conducting fidelity and quality assurance reviews.
Contributing to national and international publications on trauma, adult learning, and coaching.
Partnering with schools and agencies to implement systems based interventions.
Beyond academia, I have a track record of community innovation. I founded the nation’s first Snack Pack Program, a nationally recognized model ensuring children receive meals during extended school breaks. I also serve on boards, committees, and advisory groups, where I advise on policy, child welfare reform, and positive youth development.
Outside of work, I live in Western New York with my wife, daughter, chihuahua, and two zebra finches. A black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and former mixed martial artist, I continue to find discipline, connection, and creativity on the mats—the very place I met and later proposed to my badass wife.
I combine compassion, expertise, and vision to help individuals and organizations unlock their full potential, strengthen systems, and create sustainable transformation.
Zac has worked with organizations such as:
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
Oklahoma Department of Health and Human Services
Rochester City Schools
Four Winds Hospital
Erie1 BOCES
PNW BOCES
Genesee Valley BOCES
New York State Office of Children and Family Services
New York City Department of Education
YorkHills
Hamblen County School District
Schenectady City Schools
New York State School for the Deaf
Children and Family Services of Erie County
Gateway Longview
Oklahoma Children and Youth Coalition
New Directions Youth and Family Services
Baker Victory Services
St. Catherine’s
Wyndham Lawn
House of the Good Sheppard
Children’s Home Association of Illinois