Meet Zachary Golba | Senior Software Engineer & Creator of Via

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zachary Golba and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zachary, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
The social impact of my work comes down to trust.

Over the last few years, it feels like almost everyone knows someone whose information has been exposed in a data breach, had an account hacked, or dealt with identity theft. My own family has experienced the anxiety that comes with discovering personal information online and having to freeze accounts, monitor credit reports, and worry about what might happen next.

As a software engineer, I’ve spent more than a decade building technology for organizations ranging from startups to nationally recognized nonprofits. Over time, I’ve become increasingly focused on a simple question: how do we make software safer for the people who depend on it every day?

That question led me to start working on Via, an open-source project designed to help engineers build web applications that are secure, reliable, and easier to trust. Most people never think about the software running behind their bank account, healthcare provider, or favorite website until something goes wrong. My goal is to help make those failures less likely by encouraging a stronger foundation from the beginning.

I believe technology should protect people, not create new risks for them. Whether it’s safeguarding personal information, preventing costly mistakes, or helping organizations handle data responsibly, even small improvements in security can have a meaningful impact on people’s lives.

The work can be highly technical, but the motivation is very human. At the end of the day, I’m trying to contribute to a future where people can use technology with greater confidence, knowing their information and privacy are being treated with the care they deserve.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I didn’t take a traditional path into software engineering.

Growing up in New Castle, Pennsylvania, I was always interested in building things and finding ways to earn money. One of my first jobs was collecting trash for people in my neighborhood when I was eight years old. Later, I discovered music and started DJing at twelve. By the time I was fifteen, I was performing at parties, weddings, and events throughout the area. For a long time, I thought music would be my career.

Everything changed when my father and I began working on an idea for an app called Stotle. The goal was to create a platform where people could connect with experts and receive trustworthy answers on a wide range of topics. The project never launched, but it sparked something in me. I became fascinated with software engineering and spent countless days and nights teaching myself how to build software. I read documentation, watched tutorials, studied programming concepts, and learned through trial and error.

What started as a side project eventually became the portfolio that launched my career. Over the past decade, I’ve had the opportunity to work as a software engineer on projects for organizations such as the Obama Foundation, Audubon, and Bookshop.org. Along the way, I’ve learned that technology isn’t just about building products. It’s about solving problems for real people.

What sets me apart is my focus on reliability, simplicity, and security. In a world where data breaches and cyberattacks seem to happen every day, I’ve become increasingly interested in how we can build software that people can trust. That’s one of the reasons I gravitated toward Rust, which has become my favorite programming language because it encourages engineers to write safer and more reliable systems.

Today, much of my attention is focused on Via, an open-source project designed to help engineers build highly reliable web applications. My goal is to make secure software easier to create and more accessible to the people building the technology we all rely on every day.

If there’s one lesson I’ve learned throughout my career, it’s that you don’t need a perfect plan to get started. The project that launched my career never became a business. What mattered was the willingness to learn, keep going, and follow my curiosity. Sometimes the thing you build doesn’t become the success story. Sometimes building it changes you, and that’s what opens the door to everything that comes next.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As a former DJ, I’m probably biased, but I’d start with Miami’s music scene. Some of my favorite memories involve discovering new venues, hearing great electronic music, and experiencing the energy that makes Miami unique.

Beyond the nightlife, I’d want visitors to experience the city’s contrast. One day might involve walking through Wynwood and checking out the street art, local coffee shops, and creative spaces. Another day would be spent near the water, whether that’s South Beach, Key Biscayne, or simply enjoying the views around the city.

I’m also a big believer that some of the best experiences come from wandering rather than following a strict itinerary. Miami is full of interesting neighborhoods, hidden restaurants, and unexpected conversations.

Food would definitely be part of the trip. Miami’s mix of cultures creates an incredible food scene, and some of my favorite memories have come from discovering small local spots rather than famous destinations.

What I appreciate most about Miami is that it attracts people from all over the world. On any given day, you can meet entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, engineers, and people pursuing ambitious ideas. As someone who enjoys both technology and creativity, I’ve always found that combination inspiring.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My biggest shoutout goes to my father.

Years ago, he came to me with an idea for an app called Stotle, a platform that would connect people with experts who could provide trustworthy answers and insights. We spent countless hours working on the project together. Although the app never launched, it ended up changing the direction of my life.

At the time, I didn’t have a background in software engineering. Building Stotle pushed me to learn everything I could. I spent days and nights reading documentation, watching tutorials, studying programming concepts, and solving problems one at a time. The project became my classroom.

While Stotle itself never became a business, it became the portfolio that launched my career. The skills I developed while working on it helped me land my first engineering role and ultimately led to more than a decade of experience building software for organizations ranging from startups to nationally recognized nonprofits.

My father encouraged me to pursue an idea that seemed far beyond my abilities at the time. Looking back, that encouragement made all the difference. Sometimes the most important thing someone can give you is the confidence to try something difficult before you’re sure you’re ready.

Website: https://github.com/zacharygolba

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharygolba

Image Credits
The images belong to me