Matthew Schaeffer

Matthew is the senior manager of the Data and Content Operations team at REI and spends his days creating and optimizing tools, systems, and processes that help our internal teams work more efficiently and effectively. His team is building next-generation data distribution platforms to deliver integrated, relevant experiences that will provide REI customers with the content, products, and information they need when and where they need it. As part of his work, he advocates employing a holistic, systems-thinking approach to problem solving and building solutions through continual, iterative improvement. Matthew started his career journey over 20 years ago as a writer and editor for the largest English language publisher in Bucharest, Romania. He was an editor at Forbes.com the day revenue from the website surpassed that from print, and he helped Microsoft launch MSN News. He was managing editor for a startup that created webby-nominated online magazine FLYP and had the pleasure of talking to some of the world’s brightest minds as a researcher and managing editor for a futurist think tank in New York City. When not pondering structured content, metadata, content modeling, and how to architect the platforms of the future, Matthew spends his time snowboarding, surfing, and paddle boarding with his wife and generally getting outdoors as much as he can in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.