Sean was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland and grew up in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Saint Francis Xavier University before graduating from Dalhousie Law School in 1988.

He practiced law at Scales, Jenkins and McQuaidnow Stewart McKelvey in Charlottetown for nearly 14 years, before taking a leadership role in the family business, commonly known as Paderno.

During this time, he served in numerous volunteer roles in minor sports, business organizations, and The Liberal Party of PEI, including as Party President.

In 2008, Sean rejoined Stewart McKelvey where he served as Regional Managing Partner. In the 2011 General Election, Sean was one of only two Liberals in Canada elected for the first time. He was re-elected to Parliament in 2015, 2019, and again, most recently, in 2021.

Sean has served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, as well as Chair of the Liberal Atlantic Caucus. He has been a fearless advocate for his constituents in Ottawa for nearly 14 years and has never been afraid to go against the party line to defend his community.

He is a proud grandad, and an aging runner. He has become fluent in French since being elected. Sean lives in Charlottetown with his wife, Deirdre, and their dog, Yoda.