Short bio

Seth led React at Meta from 2021 to 2025, growing the org from about 35 to roughly 70 engineers while shipping the React Compiler, modernizing developer tools, and quadrupling the React Native release cadence. Today he serves as the Executive Director of the React Foundation, building the governance and funding systems that keep the framework resilient.

Leadership philosophy

People-first leadership is the operating system. Seth’s teams run on context sharing, empowering ideas, and transparent feedback loops. The result is a pragmatic culture that is direct, deeply human, and relentlessly focused on outcomes.

• People-first leadership that amplifies ideas and gives teams context.
• Direct, pragmatic communication paired with deep empathy.
• Obsessive focus on developer experience, AI interfaces, and open-source ecosystems.

React journey at Meta

React’s modern momentum was shaped by deliberate decisions: scaling the team, relaunching React Conf, and pairing product ambition with strong developer tooling. Seth ensured the React Compiler, React Native, and DevTools efforts moved as one story.

• • Grew the org from 35 → ~70 engineers
• • Shipped the React Compiler and modern React DevTools
• • Quadrupled the React Native release cadence
• • Relaunched React Conf for the community

Open source leadership

As Executive Director of the React Foundation, Seth is designing governance, funding, and community stewardship models that keep React sustainable. Signature initiatives include RIS scoring, CoIS collaboration, and a global meetup network.

North star

Helping people bring their ideas to life is the constant. From AI interfaces to developer infrastructure, every project centers on giving builders leverage and confidence.

Seth is equally obsessed with UI craft, devtools, AI, and the open source ecosystems that support them.

Creative life

Photography grounds the work. Long-form wildlife trips in Alaska and urban bird sessions in NYC sharpen the same instincts used in leadership—observation, patience, and decisive timing.

• Wildlife and bird photographer with a focus on coastal brown bears and NYC’s urban birds.
• Community mentor helping people bring ideas to life through mentorship and open knowledge.
• Builder of AI and developer infrastructure tools that keep teams in flow.