Wendy Schmidt — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Co-founder and President of the Schmidt Family Foundation, holding over $2 billion in philanthropic assets.
Co-founder and President of Schmidt Ocean Institute.
Directs grantmaking and impact investing for climate change initiatives, renewable energy, and ocean health.
Acquired a controlling interest in Jigsaw Productions in 2025.
Initiated the Wendy Schmidt Oil Cleanup X Challenge and the Wendy Schmidt Ocean Health XPRIZE.
Graduated from Smith College and earned a master's degree in journalism from University of California, Berkeley.

Biography

Wendy Susan Schmidt is an American philanthropist and investor. She is the president and co-founder of the Schmidt Family Foundation, which holds over $2 billion in philanthropic assets, and the Schmidt Ocean Institute. Schmidt is married to Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google.

Schmidt is recognized for her philanthropic work, which spans clean energy, regenerative agriculture, ocean health, human rights, and scientific research.