Since joining Ashoka in 2004, Stephanie Schmidt has served across four continents, beginning at the global headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, and continuing through Mexico City, Paris, Johannesburg. Her recent roles include launching Ashoka in the DRC, and guiding leadership transitions in Southern Africa and Mexico. Throughout her tenure, she has designed and led multi‑country partnerships with foundations, corporations, and individual philanthropists to advance social entrepreneurship and changemaking. She was part of the design team for Ashoka’s Changemaker Companies initiative, building on years of work bridging the business and social sectors through Ashoka’s Full Economic Citizenship program. Stephanie also serves as a second‑opinion interviewer and panel chair for the selection of new Ashoka Fellows. She is currently Chairwoman of the Board of Ashoka Belgium and a Board Member of Ashoka Netherlands. She has authored several publications on systems change, social innovation, and social‑business co‑creation. 

Stephanie began her career began in banking in the City of London, followed by management consulting with Deloitte in Paris and Boston. She later transitioned to international development as Director of Programs for World Relief in Rwanda, where she helped launch Ikirezi, a social enterprise producing essential oils in partnership with small‑scale farmers and widows of the genocide, led by Ashoka Fellow Nicholas Hitimana. Born and raised in France and now living in Mexico City, Stephanie holds an MBA from ESSEC Business School. She is the proud mother of three teenagers.