Moulay A. Essakalli

Moulay A. Essakalli has a diverse work experience spanning multiple industries and roles. Moulay A. started their career as a French Lecturer at The University of Texas at Austin in 1986 and later worked as a French Lecturer at Boston University from 1989 to 1990.

In 1992, Moulay joined Channel 2 - PBS | Boston as a Designer, where they contributed to the visual design and production of print materials and on-air television graphics for various PBS national series.

Moulay A. then worked as an Art Director at Harvard University from 1994 to 1997, leading the creative development of the University Capital Campaign and designing the first official Harvard Alumni Association website.

From 1997 to 1999, Moulay served as an Art Director at The Interactive Factory, leading or contributing to the design development of web, print, CD-ROMs, and kiosks for clients such as BankBoston, The WhiteHouse Project, and Lego Mindstorm.

In 1999, they became a Principal Experience Designer at Zefer/Niteo, a pioneering internet services and development firm that achieved significant growth and was later acquired by NEC.

Moulay's entrepreneurial journey began in 2003 when they founded Zid Zid Kids, a company that creates home furnishings, toys, and wearables for children, taking inspiration from Moroccan handicrafts and artisans. Zid Zid Kids received recognition from prestigious international shows and publications. Moulay A. led the company until 2016.

In 2016, Moulay co-founded Zid Zid, a language learning platform for preschoolers. The platform has had successful pilots in Cincinnati preschools and empowers teachers and parents to facilitate language learning activities through creative play.

Moulay's involvement in startup accelerators began in 2016 when they joined The Brandery, a seed stage startup accelerator program that focuses on branding, marketing, and design. Moulay A. also participated in UpTech, a nationally ranked tech accelerator program for data-driven startups, from 2017 to 2018.

Overall, Moulay A. Essakalli has a rich and diverse background in education, design, entrepreneurship, and leadership roles in various organizations, showcasing their versatility and expertise across multiple domains.

Moulay A. Essakalli completed a Bachelor and Masters degree in Sociology of Education from the Université Côte d'Azur from 1980 to 1986. Later, from 1990 to 1992, they attended the Rhode Island School of Design and graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design.