Rachid Zahidi is President of Sentinel Data Retrieval, LLC, and founder of Sentinel Background Checks. He is the author of The Business Immunity System: The Pitfalls & Side Effects of Data Handling, Privacy Issues, & Background Checks. He also co-authored Desire, Discipline and Determination-Lessons from Bold Thought Leaders and author and creator of the EmoGym journal. He previously served as Learning Chair, Finance Chair, and Integration Chair for EO Tampa. Rachid also founded Bandloc.com and hosts the Resilience Across Borders Podcast. Expert appearances and contributions include being featured on CLTV Chicago, Fox Baltimore, Inc.com, Florida Trend, The Background Buzz, Octane Magazine, ESPN Radio, and many other programs and publications discussing entrepreneurship and life lessons, hiring, due diligence and information security, navigating the ups and downs and roller coaster of entrepreneurship and business ownership, among other topics.
Throughout his career, he has worked in many different industries, including international business, risk management, background checks, and anti-money laundering investigations. Rachid Zahidi has vast experience leading a team of AML investigators to high achievements and awards at Citigroup, serving customers with Bank of America, recruiting nurses for a BSN program for Jacksonville University, and hospitality management, among others.
On a personal level, he has navigated many journeys and challenges, including emigrating to the United States at an early age by himself with only a couple of hundred dollars borrowed. He worked his way through different jobs and eventually careers and managed to put himself through business school while working two jobs. He has peacefully navigated through a divorce after a twenty-year marriage with two beautiful kids, emerging with a great co-parenting relationship and a desirable outcome for all involved, considering how these types of separations can wreak havoc on people’s lives.
He has also overcome an addiction to nicotine after twenty years of being a smoker. He has learned multiple languages and learned to play the guitar with no formal training or instruction.
As he achieved more and became successful by most definitions, he has helped many family members and siblings emotionally and financially, including through many setbacks, using all lessons learned and wisdom gained from navigating past failures, challenges, and obstacles. He has helped them and his employees throughout the years to achieve their educational and career goals to improve their overall quality of life through coaching and perspective.
A strong desire to be of service and drive to create a life of integrity describes Rachid and his work perfectly.
“I know what it is to be poor and deprived. I know how easy it is to make a mistake. I also have a sense of personal responsibility, and I believe that working hard and staying focused gets you somewhere. “
Rachid enjoys spending time with his family, playing guitar, enjoying live music, exercising, watching hockey games or soccer, attending, and supporting entrepreneurship events and initiatives and enjoying live music among other interests.
