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Zachary Novak
Founder & CEO of CITI ⬩ Empowering diverse professionals to grow meaningful tech careers ⬩ Eliminating boundaries and barriers ⬩Over 300 success stories
Zachary Novak is the founder and CEO of FML Studios, a community consultancy firm based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.23 His career journey has been quite diverse and interesting:
Professional Background
Zachary started his career in investment banking and corporate development, following what he considered a "linear path" of success.1 However, he eventually questioned whether this was truly the impact he wanted to make in the world.
Career Transition
After some self-reflection, Zachary decided to leave the finance world and transition into technology:
- He took a coding bootcamp
- Worked as a Product Manager
- Progressed to Director of Product at Actionable, a behavior-change technology company15
Community Focus
At Actionable, Zachary was inspired by the power of community-led organizations.1 This experience led him to focus on community building:
- Co-founded Cancer Crusher, a non-profit event-based community raising funds for cancer charities
- Founded Careers in Technology and Innovation, a community helping mid-career professionals transition into tech careers
- Served as Executive Community Director at RevvGo, building the RevV Leaders Network1
FML Studios
Zachary founded FML Studios, which launched on June 15, 2022.14 The company's mission is to support purpose-driven organizations in amplifying their impact through community.1 FML Studios offers community growth services, including:
- Launching new communities
- Evolving existing communities
- Activating and scaling community impact1
Personal Mission
Zachary's personal purpose is to enable others to connect and grow together so they can live fulfilling lives.3 This aligns with FML Studios' mission to help people live a "Fulfilling and Meaningful Life" (the meaning behind the FML acronym).1
Zachary Novak is an active community builder and thought leader in the space, often participating in events and discussions about community building and its impact on businesses and individuals.67