People

Sorien Schmidt

Director of Strategy & Learning

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Sorien Schmidt is primarily responsible for directing ZSR’s strategies for grantmaking and learning.  

Sorien came to the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation with a broad range of experience in the nonprofit sector, from public policy and data analysis to coalition building on topics ranging from economic security to juvenile justice to health insurance coverage.

Most recently, Sorien served as the North Carolina State Director of Enroll America where she managed staff and volunteers working statewide to hold conversations with more than 200,000 North Carolinians in-person and by phone regarding Affordable Care Act health insurance coverage. Prior to Enroll America, Sorien worked with Prevent Child Abuse, was Senior Vice President for Action for Children North Carolina and was chair of the Covenant with North Carolina’s Children.

Sorien began her career with Legal Services of North Carolina practicing public benefits law and eventually became the lead of the NC Public Benefits Task Force. She then worked 13 years at the North Carolina Justice Center as both a Legislative Director and as a Public Interest Attorney.

Sorien received her Bachelor of Arts in English and Psychology and a Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.