Sean Thomas-Breitfeld is a program officer on Ford’s Civic Engagement and Government team. His work focuses on the foundation’s Building the Bigger We Portfolio.
Prior to joining Ford, Sean co-directed the Building Movement Project, a national organization that develops insightful research, practical resources, and pathways for transformative relationships that support nonprofits, networks, and movements. During his eleven-year tenure at BMP, Sean wrote or co-authored a wide range of reports and was a frequent presenter on organizing, movement infrastructure, and race and leadership in the nonprofit sector. Sean also spent a decade working in various roles at Community Change, where he developed training programs for grassroots leaders, coordinated online and grassroots advocacy efforts, and lobbied on a range of issues, including immigration reform, transportation equity, and anti-poverty programs. Sean started his career as a policy analyst at UnidosUS, where he did research and advocacy on employment and income security issues.
Sean holds a master’s in public administration from NYU’s Wagner School of Public Service, and a bachelor’s in social work and multicultural studies from St. Olaf College in Minnesota.