Zach Kahn

Former position at CEP
Senior Research Analyst, Assessment Tools

Length of tenure at CEP
2.5 years

What are you up to these days?
I’m a Product Operations Manager at Lime.

How did your time at CEP prepare you for what you’re doing now?
Although transitioning from nonprofit to for-profit work might seem at odds, the communication, analytical, and presentation skills I developed at CEP were very applicable to my new setting. Reporting on and encouraging engagement in survey results and data was a major part of my role at my subsequent jobs, and in that sense, not too different from much of my work at CEP.

What did you do between your time at CEP and your current role?
After CEP I moved to Chicago to work as an analyst at Groupon. At Groupon, my work focused on taking feedback from merchant partners and getting management/senior leadership to take action to improve the merchant experience. In this setting, I was trying to increase the impact Groupon has on small businesses, which is not entirely different from trying to increase the impact a philanthropic funder can have on nonprofits. Later on, and before business school, I worked as a Kiva Fellow for Kiva.org, placed in both Peru and New York City, working to grow their online microlending platform.

What do you miss most about working at CEP?
Without hesitation I would say the people at CEP. My colleagues were incredible people — smart, fun, and dedicated to the success of the organization. I thrived off of the energy of those I worked with day in and day out. CEP’s people are the lifeblood of the organization, and without the excellent group of individuals that work at CEP, the organization would not be where it is today.

Also, Phil and Kevin singing Rock Band songs on Friday afternoons. They can really bring it.

What advice would you give someone about working at CEP?
Get to know your colleagues. Don’t be afraid to speak up. If you don’t know the answer, it’s okay. If you need help, ask.

Describe your perfect Sunday
Late wake up. Go to brunch. Do laundry. Watch football. Frozen pizza (then cooked) and a beer for dinner.