About Me

Hi, I’m Sean—a Chicago-based urban and community health strategist, photographer and writer. I use strategic planning, storytelling, and visual work to help people and organizations better understand cities and urban communities, strengthen connection, and support their well-being.

I’ve been particularly interested in cities for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I would fill notebooks with maps and drawings of urban areas, both real and imagined, often bringing them with me in case inspiration struck. By my teen years, I had turned to photography, spending time in my high school darkroom and documenting the world around me with a camera.

Professional Life

Those early interests helped pave the way for a professional path grounded in systems thinking, strategy, and storytelling. I currently work at the American Hospital Association, where I help connect hospitals with communities to improve health and well-being. I previously served as a writer and visual storyteller at the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University’s Kennedy School, and as a research and communications advisor for the City of Chicago.

I hold master’s degrees in public policy and nonprofit management from the University of Chicago and have an active social work license from the state of Illinois.

My multidisciplinary background is built around a consistent mission: to help people become more aware, connected, and capable of caring for each other and the places they live.

About my Photography

I am most drawn to creating photography as a form of urban storytelling. I also enjoy urban, street, landscape and nature photography, and continually look to expand my creative horizons.  

In the 2020s, my photos have been featured by Chicago Magazine, Cleveland Magazine, and Today in Detroit. In the 2010s, my photos regularly appeared in my work as a Chicago-based writer for Harvard University’s Data-Smart Cities initiative, which explores how technology and data can enhance operations, civic participation, and life in American cities.  

My work is also available for purchase via my print shop site, which is accessible via the “Print Shop” link at the top of this page.