Sean O'Brien

Majored in Political Science, Minored in Photography
Edgewood College, Class of 2020
From Madison, WI

Alder Sean OBrien (he/him) was elected to the Madison Common Council on April 1st, 2025, and brings nearly a decade of experience working in and around Government. OBrien currently serves as the Policy and Advocacy Director at Fair Wisconsin, the states only LGBTQ+ civil rights and political advocacy organization. He has been leading the organizations policy efforts to increase Wisconsins nondiscrimination protections, expand public health and protect the rights of those living with HIV. Sean first became active in public service during the 2011 Act 10 protests in support of collective bargaining rights for teachers and public employees. In 2016, he worked with For Our Future and interned for State Representative Chris Taylor, shortly before working on Governor Everss 2018 campaign and later in his office. Sean was active on his college campus as the founding voice for the Queer Student Center, the President of Edgewood SAFE, Vice President of the Edgewood College Democrats, and Vice President of the Edgewood College Pre-Law Society. Sean graduated Magna Cum Laude from Edgewood College with a B.S. in Political Science and a minor in Photography. Sean is a lifelong Madisonian, proud Eagle Scout from Troop 34, and public-school graduate. He lives in the Richmond Hill Neighborhood. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, exploring and photographing the natural landscapes of Wisconsin and cooking for his family and friends.

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Education

Edgewood College
East High School

Sean in the News

Sean O'Brien Earns Semester Honors at Edgewood College

Sean O'Brien of Madison has earned Semester Honors for the Spring 2020 semester at Edgewood College. Fulltime students who achieve a 3.5 grade point average for the semester are eligible for this h...

June, 30 2020 - Edgewood College

Sean O'Brien Makes Dean's List at Edgewood College

Sean O'Brien of Madison has been named to the Dean's List for the Spring 2020 semester at Edgewood College. Fulltime undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students who earn a cumulative GPA of 3.75...

June, 30 2020 - Edgewood College

Sean O'Brien Earns Semester Honors at Edgewood College

Sean O'Brien of Madison has earned Semester Honors for the Fall 2019 semester at Edgewood College. Fulltime students who achieve a 3.5 grade point average for the semester are eligible for this hon...

January, 29 2020 - Edgewood College

Sean O'Brien Earns Semester Honors at Edgewood College

Sean O'Brien of Madison has earned Semester Honors for the Spring 2019 semester at Edgewood College. Fulltime students who achieve a 3.5 grade point average for the semester are eligible for this h...

May, 29 2019 - Edgewood College

Sean O'Brien Earns Semester Honors at Edgewood College

Sean O'Brien of Madison has earned Semester Honors for the Spring 2018 semester at Edgewood College. Fulltime students who achieve a 3.5 grade point average for the semester are eligible for this h...

June, 21 2018 - Edgewood College

Sean O'Brien Makes Dean's List at Edgewood College

Sean O'Brien of Madison has been named to the Dean's List for the Spring 2018 Semester at Edgewood College. Fulltime undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students who earn a cumulative GPA of 3.75...

June, 21 2018 - Edgewood College

Sean O'Brien Earns Semester Honors at Edgewood College

Sean O'Brien of Madison has earned Semester Honors for the Fall 2017 semester at Edgewood College. Fulltime students who achieve a 3.5 grade point average for the semester are eligible for this hon...

January, 22 2018 - Edgewood College

Sean O'Brien Makes Dean's List at Edgewood College

Sean O'Brien of Madison has been named to the Dean's List for the Fall 2017 Semester at Edgewood College. Fulltime undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students who earn a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or...

January, 22 2018 - Edgewood College

Sean O'Brien Earns Semester Honors at Edgewood College

Sean O'Brien of Madison has earned Semester Honors for the Spring 2017 semester at Edgewood College. Fulltime students who achieve a 3.5 grade point average for the semester are eligible for this h...

June, 14 2017 - Edgewood College

Sean O'Brien Earns Semester Honors at Edgewood College

Sean O'Brien of Madison has earned Semester Honors for the Fall 2016 semester at Edgewood College. Fulltime students who achieve a 3.5 grade point average for the semester are eligible for this hon...

January, 12 2017 - Edgewood College

Activities

Queer Student Center Planning Committee

Worked with Edgewood College to build a Queer Student Center on campus. The goal of this center is to center the voices of Edgewoods Queer Students on campus while providing a place for them to relax, work on homework, find materials to help them connect to the larger Madison LGBTQ+ community. We worked to build partnerships with local bushiness and community centers

Summer 2019 - Summer 2020 - Edgewood College

Added by Sean

SAFE at Edgewood College

President SAFE is a LGBTQ+ student group working to provide and fight for more inclusive policies on Edgewoods campus. in May of 2019 after being dormant for nearly five years myself and other students worked with the college administration to reinstate it.

Spring 2019 - Summer 2020 - Edgewood College

Added by Sean

Amnesty International

Spring 2018 - Edgewood College

Added by Sean

Edgewood College Democrats

Help run and organize meetings, creating an aggressive fundraising plan. Brought in guest speakers such as Senator Tammy Baldwin, and State Represenative Chris Taylor. Attended the State College Democrat convention.

Fall 2016 - Spring 2018 - Edgewood College

Added by Sean

Work Experience

Campaign Intern at Tony For Wisconsin

Policy and donor research. Knowledge of NPGvan, and other donor databases. Phone, and voicemail answering for the office. Gathering of nomination signatures. Event staffing in Rhinelander, Waukesha, Madison and other Wisconsin localities.

January 2018 - Present

Legislative Intern at Wisconsin State Legislature

Summarization and analysis of legislation and district issues for Representative Taylor and staff. Summarizing legislation, blue book distribution and answering the concerns for constituents. knowledge of the Forward data system. Answering office phone and message taking in a professional manner, as well as other clerical tasks for the office and representative.

May 2017 - January 2018

Lead Barista at Chocolaterian Cafe

Lead Barista (May 2017-Present)
Barista ( April 2015 - May 2017)
Management: Oversee training of new employees, order products for the store, drawer counting, well organized and detail attentive, extensive coffee preparation, and customer service

Barista: responsible for excellent customer service, preparing both hot and cold drinks accurately and efficiently. Serving items from the display cases and small portions of hot food. In charge of opening and closing the caf, register and cash handling experience

April 2015 - Present

Badges Awarded