Zachery Holder (he/him/his) serves as Director, Talent & Creative Strategies with FirstGen Forward.

Zachery joined FirstGen Forward in December 2021. Since then, Zachery has supported the recruitment and operations of the FirstGen Forward Network in various roles and now leads the organization’s Talent and Creative Strategy. Prior to joining FirstGen Forward, Zachery worked with the BadgersVote Coalition at the University of Wisconsin—Madison as the voter engagement and civic learning coordinator. He worked to increase student participation in the democratic process and helped the institution address racial disparities in voting through mobilization efforts and civic education.

Zachery’s background also includes University Housing, where he worked with learning communities focused on liberal arts, cultural awareness, and civic engagement at UW—Madison and Florida Gulf Coast University. A proud first-generation college graduate, Zachery earned his B.F.A. in film from the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee and his M.S. in student affairs in higher education from Missouri State University. Outside of his role at FirstGen Forward, Zachery is an avid artist who enjoys bringing creativity and innovation to all his endeavors.