Wendy Schmidt is a philanthropist and investor who has spent nearly two decades creating innovative non-profit organizations to work with communities around the world for clean, renewable energy, healthy food systems, healthy oceans and the protection of human rights. The critical interconnections between human activity, the land we live on and the ocean we depend upon are the central drivers of Wendy’s philanthropic work. Through their philanthropy, Wendy and her husband Eric are working toward a healthy, resilient, secure world for all.

Wendy is president of the Schmidt Family Foundation, which she and Eric founded in 2006. She leads the foundation’s grant-making and investment programs—the 11th Hour Project, which works to create a just world where all people have access to renewable energy, clean air and water and healthy food, and Schmidt Marine Technology Partners, which supports scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs in developing technologies that restore ocean health.

Wendy also serves as president of Schmidt Ocean Institute, which she and Eric founded in 2009 to advance oceanographic research by offering scientists access to the world’s first year-round philanthropic research vessel in exchange for making their findings publicly available. After operating the ship Falkor for a decade, hosting more than 1,000 scientists, discovering scores of new marine species and underwater formations and mapping more than half a million square miles of the seafloor, Wendy and Eric began developing a larger research vessel, Falkor (too), in late 2021. The new ship, equipped with the latest technology and robotics that will broaden the capacity and capability of conducting science at sea, began expeditions in March 2023.

Early in her philanthropy, Wendy partnered with The XPrize Foundation to sponsor two multimillion-dollar competitions to improve cleanup of surface oil spills and to create a new generation of accurate and affordable ocean acidification sensors.

A competitive sailor, Wendy has extended her oceans-focused work to the sporting world through 11th Hour Racing, an organization she co-founded in 2010 to work with the sailing community and maritime industry to advance solutions and sustainability practices that protect and restore ocean health. Wendy also founded Remain to strengthen the economic, social and environmental vitality of downtown Nantucket and to encourage innovation and resilience across the island. Its Envision Resilience Challenge calls on professionals and students to develop innovative, interdisciplinary solutions for coastal communities facing sea level rise.

In 2024, Eric and Wendy founded Schmidt Sciences, a nonprofit organization working to advance science and technology that deepens human understanding of the natural world and develops solutions to global issues.

Most recently, Wendy co-founded Agog: The Immersive Media Institute, a groundbreaking initiative at the intersection of technology, communications and social impact. Agog will help creators and nonprofit leaders harness the power of extended reality (XR) technologies to spur positive social transformation, opening new avenues for empathy, understanding and activism.

A journalist early in her career, Wendy developed a deep appreciation for clear, concise communication that has extended into her philanthropy, as she works to strengthen community-based, environmental, science and investigative journalism. She has provided startup funding for media organization Climate Central, and her grantmaking has supported fellowships at UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism and the Missouri School of Journalism. Recognizing the power of effective storytelling, Wendy has supported a number of documentaries and served as executive producer of the award-winning films Gather and The Human Element.

Wendy has a master’s degree in journalism from the University of California at Berkeley, and she graduated magna cum laude from Smith College with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology. After working briefly as a journalist, she worked in marketing communications in Silicon Valley, studied design and ran an interior design business for 16 years before turning her focus to philanthropy in 2006.

Cecil moved to Nantucket in 1996 and worked for a number of the island’s preeminent nonprofits before assuming the role of Remain’s executive director in 2018. She focuses on developing Remain’s mission-related activities and long-term commitment to environmental sustainability, economic development and community engagement. Previously, she worked for the Artists Association of Nantucket, the Nantucket New School and the Nantucket Historical Association.

Some of Remain’s signature initiatives launched during Cecil’s tenure include Nantucket Footprints, More Nantucket and the Envision Resilience Challenge. In addition, under her leadership the organization has focused on food systems, food insecurity, affordable housing, architectural salvage reuse and nature-based solutions to climate challenges. Cecil has expertise in publications and public relations, community development, educational programming, fundraising and strategic planning and currently serves as a member of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Cecil is a graduate of Middlebury College, with a bachelor’s degree in English.

Claire first came to Nantucket as a child, part of a decades-long family tradition of summer trips, and has called the island home full-time since 2020. She joined the Remain team as its first communications manager in the fall of 2024, where she leads strategic communications, public relations and social media across the organization. Claire oversees and shapes the digital voice for both Remain and The Hive, bringing a thoughtful, creative approach to how stories are told and shared.

Before joining Remain, Claire worked in marketing and communications on island and built her own digital marketing and consulting firm, EspressoMedia, specializing in photography, design and freelance writing. Prior to island life, she lived in Orlando, Florida, where she worked for The Walt Disney Company.

A proud Indiana Hoosier, Claire earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and communications from Indiana University and is currently pursuing her master’s in journalism through the University of Florida.

Tom grew up in a rural community in England and was introduced at a young age to the benefits of eating local food, homemade and shared with family and friends. He apprenticed at The Star Inn in Harome and settled on a career in the culinary arts.

After moving to the United States in 2005 to work at The Fearrington House in North Carolina, he landed on Nantucket in 2011 and began working as the Executive Sous Chef at Topper’s Restaurant at The Wauwinet Hotel. In 2014, Tom became the Executive Chef at The White Elephant Hotel and worked there for eight years. After taking a break to focus on family life, Tom accepted the Culinary Operation Manager position at The Hive on Amelia Drive. In this role, Tom works closely with all the chefs and makers in The Hive to ensure that they are successful in the workspace, helping to develop relationships with local farmers to create value-added products and working with makers to grow their businesses. Tom graduated from Scarborough Technical College with a Culinary Arts qualification and has an advanced certification in the art and science of cheesemaking from Pennsylvania State University.

Kimmy Freudenreich has spent more than three decades building a culinary career that has taken her across kitchens, coastlines and continents. A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu, she has worked as a Private Chef, Executive Chef, Yacht Chef, Banquet Chef and Personal Concierge—developing a versatile skill set rooted in both precision and creativity.

In her role as Assistant Manager of The Hive, Kimmy brings that depth of experience into a collaborative, community-driven space. At The Hive, she supports daily operations while contributing her culinary expertise and artistic eye to everything from menu development to the design of events, tablescapes and overall guest experience.

Whether she’s supporting a Maker, shaping an event or refining the look and feel of a gathering, Kimmy brings a balance of culinary expertise and creative vision, helping to create experiences that feel both seamless and memorable.

William joined The Hive in 2026 as General Assistant, supporting the day-to-day operations of the facility and working closely with the Hive Makers, staff and visitors. In his role, William assists with everything from inventory management and facility maintenance to operational support, helping ensure The Hive remains a welcoming, functional and productive environment for Nantucket’s food entrepreneurs.

William brings a diverse background spanning hospitality, visual arts, brand development and marketing. His experience includes leadership roles in hospitality operations and beverage programming, as well as work in brand design, content creation and product development. He has expertise in branding, creative direction, customer experience, product development and marketing strategy, and serves as a resource to Hive Makers seeking guidance on everything from packaging and merchandise to website development and bringing products to market.

William holds degrees in visual arts and previously taught painting and philosophy at the University of Texas. He and his wife, Holly, live on Nantucket full-time with their son, Rhodes.