William Schwartz was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. He received his undergraduate degree from Miami University and graduated with a Bachelor of Organizational Communication. After graduation, he worked in both Chicago and Columbus in sales and operations management before selling all his belongings to travel and pursue his passions. During this time, he worked as a scuba diving instructor in various places around the world and met people from different walks of life.

His discovery of a passion to help those most in need and the environment led him to complete a Master of Development Practice at The University of Queensland, focusing on key aspects of community and international development, as well as sustainability. Following graduation, Will moved to South Bend, Indiana, and started a position as an Innovation Fellow with enFocus, a regional non-profit that emphasizes community development across various sectors.

Among others, Will is working on projects revolving around workforce development, sustainability, and climate justice. Through his position and projects, he gained a unique perspective on regional workforce development and climate issues, understanding how they intersect and disproportionately affect historically marginalized populations. He has been able to leverage this knowledge to provide insights into how these seemingly unrelated issues are deeply connected, and how they can offer solutions for one another when utilized correctly.

He aspires to use his skills and knowledge to drive civic innovation in the region, thereby improving social, economic, and environmental outcomes. Additionally, he is working to enhance the connection between climate and labor relations, highlighting how these fields can best support each other for a greener and more equitable future.