Selena Schmidt

Selena Schmidt

CEO

As its new CEO, Selena Schmidt is spearheading Common Impact through its next phase of growth, innovation and service. As a one of the pioneers in the skills-based volunteerism movement and award winning facilitator of multi-sector community building, Common Impact is witnessing a rapidly growing market demand for its services to enduring value for both nonprofit clients and corporate partners. Over the course of her career, Selena has worked in public, private, and nonprofit sectors, with a keen interest in building bridges and establishing connections to further an organization's mission and service commitment

Selena comes to Common Impact after having led Power of 32, the largest regional visioning initiative of its kind, encompassing 4.2 million people and 32 counties across Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia and covering the public, private, nonprofit and community sectors. The initiative launched 14 region-wide projects implemented by public and multi-sector collaboration including a $100M venture capital fund of funds, multi-state STEAM education curriculum development, regional water management and infrastructure enhancement.

Selena began her career in grassroots advocacy and organizing, working on campaigns in eight states including electing Allegheny County's first African-American woman to county office. Expanding into regional development arenas, Selena acted as Pittsburgh Regional Alliance Champions Business Development Board Chair and was appointed to the Southwest Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) Policy Advisory Committee. She became the Director of Leadership Development at the Coro Center for Civic Leadership, building their Pittsburgh and Cleveland programs.

Later serving as Pittsburgh City Council President's Chief of Staff, Selena crafted significant legislation including funding for the Pittsburgh Promise, new policies and procedures for domestic violence, legislation requiring the city conduct a workforce Gender and Race Pay Equity study and a landmark revision of the Municipal Ethics Code.

Her entrepreneurial ventures have brought Selena recognition as both Rookie and Public Policy Advocate of the Year by the National Association of Women Business Owners, where she was elected Chapter President and National PAC boardmember. Selena also trains and facilitates workshops on leadership, advocacy and strategic planning for corporate, community and nonprofit clients including the City of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation and Carnegie Mellon University.

Selena is a graduate of the Yale Campaign School for Women, has been recognized as a 2009 Woman of Achievement, Pittsburgh Magazine's 40 Under 40, and inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame. She sits on several boards including Global Pittsburgh, Friends of the Riverfront and the Boston Advisory Council of Strong Women Strong Girls.