Born and raised in working-class south Minneapolis, Zakcq hails from a family with a rich heritage in the building trades. Growing up amidst construction sites, he developed a keen interest in the rules and regulations that shape our communities. Despite embarking on a diverse career journey that involved teaching English as a foreign language, promoting concerts, and managing a bookstore, Zakcq was fortunate to rediscover his early passion. To his delight, he discovered that urban planning was a field of study, and he found a university in his current city that catered to older, non-traditional students like himself. At the age of 27, Zakcq earned a Bachelor of Science in urban affairs from Boston University's Metropolitan College. He furthered his education at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design, obtaining a Masters in Urban Planning in 2010.

In 2011, Zakcq joined Asakura Robinson in Houston and established the company's planning practice, ultimately leading its growth. He played a pivotal role in expanding the company by establishing offices in Austin in 2014 and Minneapolis in 2017. Under his guidance, the practice thrived, boasting twenty employees across five offices. His team engaged in diverse projects focused on small area planning, mobility planning, economic development, and housing, as well as urban ecology, collaborating with clients nationwide. Zakcq possesses a passion for comprehending the bigger picture and understanding how complex systems shape people's lives. He strongly believes in the power of cohesive policies, programs, and physical projects to create lasting positive impacts within communities. Zakcq derives immense satisfaction from working alongside low- and middle-income working-class communities as they navigate urban change, striving to increase access to resources and opportunities for themselves and future generations. In 2022, Zakcq co-founded Mend Collaborative to further these goals.

Zakcq's dedication to his field extends beyond his professional endeavors. He has served as an Adjunct Professor in the Urban Planning Department of Texas Southern University, a distinguished Historically Black College and University with an accredited planning program. In 2014, Zakcq was recognized as a Next City Vanguard, an honor bestowed upon 40 urban leaders under the age of 40. He has contributed his expertise to numerous boards and committees and has been invited to speak at state, national, and international conferences. Deeply committed to mentorship and promoting diversity in design careers, Zakcq actively supports individuals from underrepresented communities. His projects have been the recipients of more than 30 state American Planning Association and American Society for Landscape Architecture awards, as well as three national APA awards. Although Zakcq has lived in Berlin, Boston, Houston, Ho Chi Minh City, and Austin, he is grateful to have returned to his roots in south Minneapolis. He currently resides there with his wife and son.