Liz Schmidt
Board Treasurer / Maritime Capacity Lead
Liz Schmidt brings over 15 years of specialized experience at the intersection of maritime operations and nonprofit leadership to her role as Treasurer for Boats Without Borders. Her dual expertise ensures that BWB remains fiscally lean, operationally transparent, and strategically prepared for the rapid-response demands of the hurricane season.
Currently serving as the Operations Director at Shipyard Supply USA and Executive Director for the Women Offshore Foundation, Liz possesses a deep understanding of the maritime industry alongside supply chains and large-vessel logistics. As an experienced Board Treasurer (The Local Octopus Foundation) and a nonprofit founder (WaterSmart FL), Liz provides the robust financial oversight required to manage international humanitarian funds. Her background in grant writing to support capacity building and strategic financial planning allows BWB to scale its frameworks with professional-grade accountability.
Liz’s commitment to our mission is rooted in her early career with the American Red Cross, in Service to Armed Forces and Disaster Relief Operations. This foundational experience in traditional disaster response, combined with her later work on the US National Water Safety Plan, aligns strongly with BWB’s goal of bridging the early response gap. Her expertise in drowning prevention and water safety protocols further strengthens Boats Without Borders' commitment to safe navigation in disaster zones.
Based in Fort Lauderdale, Liz is dedicated to transforming maritime capacity into a strategic regional asset, ensuring that when the next storm strikes, the maritime community is fiscally and operationally ready to act as a first line of hope.
