Sean Schmidt, Director of New Initiatives & Acting Executive Director
Sean Schmidt re-joined Sustainable Seattle in September of 2008. Sean was previously a Sustainable Seattle Board Member from 2001 to 2003 when he was the Sustainable Business & Development Coordinator at Seattle-based fashion retailer, Nordstrom, Inc. In 2003, Sean stepped down from the board to co-founded the Sustainable Style Foundation, an organization for which Sustainable Seattle served as initial fiscal sponsor. Sean went on to work at Harborview and UW Medical Center where, in addition to his Human Resource job duies, he helped two sustainability initiatives including Sustainability and Medicine (SAM) and the Multidisciplinary Efforts for Sustainability in Healthcare (MESH). Sean is now working towards his Master of Arts in Policy Studies from UW Bothell focusing on human health and environment policy. Learn more about Sean on his website Sustainable Sean.
Dr. Viki Sonntag, B-Sustainable Lead
Viki Sonntag is a researcher and practitioner in developing healthy local economies. She joined Sustainable Seattle in June 2005 to head up a project researching local multipliers as a measure of community sustainability. She also works with small businesses and community-based organizations in implementing change practices based on sustainable resource use. From 1997 to 2003, Viki did research in the Netherlands, working with the leading practitioners and theoreticians of a policy approach to structural/system change adopted by the Dutch Ministry of Environment to guide their sustainability initiatives. In 2003, she received a PhD in economics for her research on sustainability and the role of strategy in adapting to change. Before this, Viki led the planning and start-up of two extension centers that have helped hundreds of small companies and community-based organizations achieve their goals. One of these centers – the Recycling Technology Assistance Partnership – became the national source for recycling technology related tools and information under her guidance.
Megan Horst, Communities Count Action Agenda Coordinator
Megan recently joined Sustainable Seattle as the Action Agenda Coordinator, the result of a promising new partnership between Communities Count and Sustainable Seattle. In this role, Megan will be promoting coordinated action among various community members to address local indicator trends. With bachelor's degrees in Environmental Studies and Human Development, and a master's degree in Urban Planning and Design from the University of Washington, Megan is committed to a connected and integrated vision of sustainability. Prior to moving to Seattle in 2006, she led guided cave tours and gave campfire talks while working as a National Park Service Ranger at Lava Beds National Monument in northern California. Before that, Megan served for two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Protected Areas Management in western Honduras. She is now at home in Seattle and enjoys exploring its many neighborhoods on foot or on bike and supporting the region's small farmers and businesses.
Paul Andersson, Education Coordinator
As the Education Coordinator, Paul brings a variety of teaching experiences to Sustainable Seattle. From an international school in Stockholm, Sweden, to a therapeutic wilderness school in Georgetown, Colorado, Paul is a natural leader and instructor. He is passionate about the earth and its resources, concerned about the growing disconnect between humans and nature, and intent on changing the way societies consume. Paul graduated from Iowa State University with a BA in English Literature in 2003. In constant pursuit of enlightening wilderness and cultural experiences, Paul has lived in several countries around the world. He holds a Certificate in Sustainable Business from Bainbridge Graduate Institute and is involved in an array of sustainability efforts throughout Seattle.
Jackie White, Masthead Gallery Curator
Jackie White is the Environmental Steward for Seattle Art Museum, based at the Olympic Sculpture Park. In this role Jackie works with the SAM Goes Green Team on internal sustainability initiatives, coordinates environmental education programs, manages environmental partnerships, supports volunteer programs, and assists in site monitoring at the park. A University of Washington alumna, Jackie holds degrees in Environmental Studies and Biology. Before joining SAM she worked at the Pacific Science Center, including teaching at the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center in Bellevue. In her free time, Jackie enjoys walking, biking, travel, and writing. Jackie serves on our Advisory Council and we are also pleased and honored to have Jackie as Curator of our Masthead Gallery.
