Wendy Schmidt is President of The Schmidt Family Foundation, where she works to advance the development of renewable energy and the wiser use of natural resources. The Foundation houses its grant-making operation in The 11th Hour Project, supporting more than 150 non-profit organizations around the world in program areas including clean energy, healthy food systems and human rights. The Foundation also includes Schmidt Marine Technology Partners, which uses a venture philanthropy model to support the development of ocean technologies with compelling conservation and research applications as well as strong commercialization potential.
In 2010, Wendy co-founded 11th Hour Racing, to promote sustainability in the sailing and maritime industries, harnessing the power of sport through engagement with grantees, partners and ambassadors.
11th Hour Racing was the Exclusive Sustainability Partner for Land Rover BAR, the British team that competed in the 35th America’s Cup in Bermuda. It is also a co-title sponsor with Vestas for the team currently competing in the 2017-18 Volvo Ocean Race, and serves as the Sustainability Founding Principal Partner of the Volvo Ocean Race.
In 2009, Wendy Schmidt and her husband, Eric, created the Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI), and in 2012 launched the research vessel, Falkor, as a mobile platform to advance ocean exploration, discovery, and knowledge, and catalyze the sharing of information about the oceans. Since 2012, Falkor has hosted more than 500 scientists from 29 countries, has mapped nearly a quarter of a million miles of ocean floor in high resolution, and has hosted the discovery of new ocean features, ecosystems and species.
In 2010 and 2012, Wendy partnered with The XPrize Foundation to sponsor two multimillion dollar competitions that generated innovations to greatly improve surface oil spill clean up and to create a new generation of accurate and affordable ocean acidification sensors.
In the fall of 2017, Wendy and Eric Schmidt launched the Schmidt Science Fellows program, a post-doctoral fellowship that provides the next generation of leaders and innovators with the tools and opportunities to drive world-changing advances across the sciences and society. With an initial commitment of at least $25M for the first three years, the effort is the beginning of a broader $100M commitment to promote scientific leadership and interdisciplinary research.
Wendy Schmidt is the lead philanthropic partner for The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Initiative (NPEC), which brings together a broad group of global companies, cities, philanthropists, policymakers, academics, students, NGOs, and citizens to rethink and redesign the future of plastics, beginning with packaging.
Wendy Schmidt earned an M.J. in Journalism from The University of California at Berkeley, and a B.A. magna cum laude from Smith College.
Wendy Schmidt is President of The Schmidt Family Foundation, where she works to advance the development of renewable energy and the wiser use of natural resources. The Foundation houses its grant-making operation in The 11th Hour Project, supporting more than 150 non-profit organizations around the world in program areas including clean energy, healthy food systems and human rights. The Foundation also includes Schmidt Marine Technology Partners, which uses a venture philanthropy model to support the development of ocean technologies with compelling conservation and research applications as well as strong commercialization potential.
In 2010, Wendy co-founded 11th Hour Racing, to promote sustainability in the sailing and maritime industries, harnessing the power of sport through engagement with grantees, partners and ambassadors.
11th Hour Racing was the Exclusive Sustainability Partner for Land Rover BAR, the British team that competed in the 35th America’s Cup in Bermuda. It is also a co-title sponsor with Vestas for the team currently competing in the 2017-18 Volvo Ocean Race, and serves as the Sustainability Founding Principal Partner of the Volvo Ocean Race.
In 2009, Wendy Schmidt and her husband, Eric, created the Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI), and in 2012 launched the research vessel, Falkor, as a mobile platform to advance ocean exploration, discovery, and knowledge, and catalyze the sharing of information about the oceans. Since 2012, Falkor has hosted more than 500 scientists from 29 countries, has mapped nearly a quarter of a million miles of ocean floor in high resolution, and has hosted the discovery of new ocean features, ecosystems and species.
In 2010 and 2012, Wendy partnered with The XPrize Foundation to sponsor two multimillion dollar competitions that generated innovations to greatly improve surface oil spill clean up and to create a new generation of accurate and affordable ocean acidification sensors.
In the fall of 2017, Wendy and Eric Schmidt launched the Schmidt Science Fellows program, a post-doctoral fellowship that provides the next generation of leaders and innovators with the tools and opportunities to drive world-changing advances across the sciences and society. With an initial commitment of at least $25M for the first three years, the effort is the beginning of a broader $100M commitment to promote scientific leadership and interdisciplinary research.
Wendy Schmidt is the lead philanthropic partner for The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Initiative (NPEC), which brings together a broad group of global companies, cities, philanthropists, policymakers, academics, students, NGOs, and citizens to rethink and redesign the future of plastics, beginning with packaging.
Wendy Schmidt earned an M.J. in Journalism from The University of California at Berkeley, and a B.A. magna cum laude from Smith College.
Cecil Barron Jensen moved to Nantucket with her husband in 1996 seeking a small, tightknit community in which to raise their three daughters. In the years since, Cecil worked at the Nantucket Historical Association and Nantucket New School, and, most recently, served as the Executive Director of the Artists Association of Nantucket. Cecil became the Executive Director of ReMain Nantucket and ReMain Ventures in 2018.
In addition to her experience in leading dynamic organizations to achieve strategic goals, Cecil has a deep understanding of how cultural organizations contribute to the vitality of downtown Nantucket and the enthusiasm to drive ReMain’s mission forward into the future. A past board member of several Nantucket nonprofits, Cecil has recently been appointed to be a member of the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Cecil Barron Jensen moved to Nantucket with her husband in 1996 seeking a small, tightknit community in which to raise their three daughters. In the years since, Cecil worked at the Nantucket Historical Association and Nantucket New School, and, most recently, served as the Executive Director of the Artists Association of Nantucket. Cecil became the Executive Director of ReMain Nantucket and ReMain Ventures in 2018.
In addition to her experience in leading dynamic organizations to achieve strategic goals, Cecil has a deep understanding of how cultural organizations contribute to the vitality of downtown Nantucket and the enthusiasm to drive ReMain’s mission forward into the future. A past board member of several Nantucket nonprofits, Cecil has recently been appointed to be a member of the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Rachel Hobart has been a summer resident of Nantucket since 1968, and moved permanently to the Island in 1987 in order to practice law. She took a break from her practice to raise her three children, and was a partner in the opening of Fahey and Fromagerie, a gourmet wine and food store. In that time, she also served as Vice President of the Nantucket New School. Rachel started with ReMain in May of 2008 as its Project Manager.
Rachel manages ReMain’s public/private partnerships with the Town of Nantucket, particularly focusing on the Island’s transit and transportation systems. Furthermore, Rachel’s 17 years with the Nantucket New School has informed and enhanced her work in encouraging the educational offerings on the Island at ReMain’s 56 Centre Street facility. She also serves on the board of trustees of the Nantucket Dreamland. Rachel graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in English and received her law degree from Northeastern University School of Law.
Rachel Hobart has been a summer resident of Nantucket since 1968, and moved permanently to the Island in 1987 in order to practice law. She took a break from her practice to raise her three children, and was a partner in the opening of Fahey and Fromagerie, a gourmet wine and food store. In that time, she also served as Vice President of the Nantucket New School. Rachel started with ReMain in May of 2008 as its Project Manager.
Rachel manages ReMain’s public/private partnerships with the Town of Nantucket, particularly focusing on the Island’s transit and transportation systems. Furthermore, Rachel’s 17 years with the Nantucket New School has informed and enhanced her work in encouraging the educational offerings on the Island at ReMain’s 56 Centre Street facility. She also serves on the board of trustees of the Nantucket Dreamland. Rachel graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in English and received her law degree from Northeastern University School of Law.
A frequent visitor to Nantucket since 1989, Virna Gonzalez received her B.F.A. from St. John's University. From there, she began her New York City graphic design career in areas of television, software manufacturing, book publishing, and promotional advertising before running her own design firm for several years. Upon moving to the Island in 2002, Virna brought her business, accounting, and graphic design skills to a local real estate firm.
In 2008, Virna joined the ReMain team. As Program Coordinator, she enjoys applying and expanding her skills to support ReMain's colorfully diverse projects and programs that benefit the Nantucket community. She has served on the boards of the Nantucket Arts Council and the Nantucket Education Trust. She currently serves as an Executive Steering Committee Member for the Nantucket Cultural District as their Secretary Officer.
A frequent visitor to Nantucket since 1989, Virna Gonzalez received her B.F.A. from St. John's University. From there, she began her New York City graphic design career in areas of television, software manufacturing, book publishing, and promotional advertising before running her own design firm for several years. Upon moving to the Island in 2002, Virna brought her business, accounting, and graphic design skills to a local real estate firm.
In 2008, Virna joined the ReMain team. As Program Coordinator, she enjoys applying and expanding her skills to support ReMain's colorfully diverse projects and programs that benefit the Nantucket community. She has served on the boards of the Nantucket Arts Council and the Nantucket Education Trust. She currently serves as an Executive Steering Committee Member for the Nantucket Cultural District as their Secretary Officer.
Jenn King first discovered Nantucket through the suggestion of family friends during her time as an undergraduate student at Mount Holyoke College. As soon as she received her B.A. in Biology, she completed her move to the Island.
After 13 years of experience at Nantucket Bank, Jenn now brings her project management and accounting skills to the ReMain Ventures team. She has been instrumental in the planning, supervision, and maintenance of ReMain’s building projects on 22 Federal Street, 35 Centre, and 56 Centre. When she isn’t taking care of her two boys or chasing around her new puppy, Jenn also sits on the board of directors as secretary for Small Friends on Nantucket, the early-education and care group for young children on the island.
Jenn King first discovered Nantucket through the suggestion of family friends during her time as an undergraduate student at Mount Holyoke College. As soon as she received her B.A. in Biology, she completed her move to the Island.
After 13 years of experience at Nantucket Bank, Jenn now brings her project management and accounting skills to the ReMain Ventures team. She has been instrumental in the planning, supervision, and maintenance of ReMain’s building projects on 22 Federal Street, 35 Centre, and 56 Centre. When she isn’t taking care of her two boys or chasing around her new puppy, Jenn also sits on the board of directors as secretary for Small Friends on Nantucket, the early-education and care group for young children on the island.
ReMain Philanthropy Location: 