Sean Schmidt holds a Master of Arts in Policy Studies from University of Washington (UW) Bothell. Schmidt’s graduate work focused on sustainable development and specialized in financing models for international wildlife conservation projects. Prior to graduate school, Schmidt earned two Bachelor of Science degrees at the UW Seattle in psychology (with a focus on behavioral ecology) and environmental studies (with a focus on conservation biology). 

Schmidt has led undergraduate seminars on future studies and sustainability at UW Seattle since 2017, in addition to holding a variety of management and leadership positions in research, healthcare, and higher education administration at UW. Prior to working at UW, Schmidt worked at Seattle-based fashion specialty retailer Nordstrom for over 13 years. His positions included sales, corporate IT, and corporate HR, and he designed and implemented the company’s initial Sustainable Business & Development program in 2001. Schmidt left Nordstrom in 2003 to cofound the Sustainable Style Foundation (SSF) and then spent two years as Lifestyle Ambassador and Executive Director with SSF prior to accepting a position at UW Medicine. 

Schmidt launched two sustainability efforts in UW Medicine that continue to thrive today: Sustainability and Medicine (SAM) and Multidisciplinary Efforts for Sustainability in Healthcare (MESH). After his time at UW Medicine, Schmidt worked in UW Sustainability for three years prior to taking on his current leadership role in Student Planning & Administration at UW Tacoma.