Sarah Schmidt named executive director of the Tahoe Prosperity Center

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – The Tahoe Prosperity Center (TPC) has announced the
appointment of Sarah Schmidt as its new executive director. A resident of South Lake Tahoe, Schmidt brings more than 20 years of experience in sustainable community development, workforce resilience, and cross-sector collaboration to the role.

Schmidt began her career as a Peace Corps Community Economic Growth Volunteer in Panama, laying the foundation for two decades of work helping communities around the world build inclusive, resilient economies. Her experience includes managing multimillion-dollar programs for USAID and other international development organizations, with a focus on climate adaptation, organizational effectiveness, and regional planning.

Prior to joining TPC, Schmidt served as a Director at Environmental Incentives, a South Lake Tahoe-based consulting firm, where she led strategy, learning, and organizational performance initiatives for domestic and international clients. Her work there deepened her understanding of the region’s unique environmental and
economic challenges, and the importance of integrated, community-driven solutions.

“This role brings me full circle,” Schmidt said. “After years of supporting communities abroad, I’m honored to now serve the one I call home. I believe deeply in the Tahoe Prosperity Center’s mission of uniting our region to thrive—not just economically, but socially and environmentally.”

As executive director, Schmidt will lead TPC’s efforts to advance economic resiliency in the Tahoe Basin. For the past decade, the organization’s primary focus has included housing advocacy for local residents, expanding broadband and adding Alert Tahoe wildfire cameras to protect local communities. Her priorities include expanding TPC’s Tahoe Inc. entrepreneurship initiative, building a regional talent pipeline in partnership with local schools and organizations, and convening cross-sector partners to reflect on and advance progress from the Envision Tahoe Playbook.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sarah to the Tahoe Prosperity Center,” said Roger Rempfer, Chair of the TPC Board of Directors. “She brings the strategic vision, collaborative spirit, and local commitment we need to lead Tahoe into its next decade of growth.”

Sarah lives in South Lake Tahoe with her husband, two children, and two cats. She enjoys biking, swimming in the lake, and supporting the small businesses that make Tahoe such a vibrant community.