Rooted in AST, Leading with Purpose: A Conversation with Zack Ahmimed

Rooted in the strong community of the American School of Tangier, Zack Ahmimed (Class of 2010) has built a career that blends international experience with local impact. Now Chief Business Officer at OCCO Holding in Tangier, he leads strategy and growth for global brands such as Birkenstock, UGG, and FitFlop, managing a team of around 150 people and helping expand the company’s retail footprint across Morocco.

We caught up with Zack to reflect on his journey—from AST classrooms to executive leadership.

Where are you now?

“I’m currently the Chief Business Officer at OCCO Holding. I oversee multiple international brands and focus on long-term strategy, brand development, and expanding our retail presence across Morocco.”

Tell us about your journey after AST

“After AST, I went to university in Kent in the UK. I started with Finance and Economics but later shifted to International Business. After graduating, I moved to London and worked in the footwear industry for a few years. That experience really shaped my career and eventually led me back to Morocco, where I joined OCCO Holding and grew into a leadership role as the company expanded.”

What stands out from your time at AST?

“It’s not just one moment—it’s everything. The friendships, the atmosphere, even being a bit naughty at times. It was the overall environment and sense of community that made it special.”

How did AST shape you?

“AST helped shape both sides of me—the curious, sometimes mischievous student, and the more focused and disciplined person I became over time. It taught me adaptability, independence, and communication. Most importantly, it taught me balance—working hard but also enjoying the process.”

What advice would you give current AST students?

“It’s okay not to have everything figured out. Explore, make mistakes, and enjoy the journey—but also know when it’s time to take things seriously.”

Zack’s journey reflects the long-term impact of an AST education—one that builds not just academic foundations, but the mindset needed to grow, adapt, and lead.

A quote that continues to resonate with him today captures that perspective:
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

When asked to describe AST in one word, his answer is simple: Foundation.