Matthew was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and earned a B.S. in Organizational Communication from the University of Utah in 1987. He later earned a second B.S. in Computer Information Systems from Western Governors University in 2006 and has continued his education through independent study in computer technology and cybersecurity.

As a student at the University of Utah, Matthew was active in Students Against the Arms Race. He subsequently participated in several community and public policy initiatives, including the Utah Committee for Soviet-American Relations; Utahns United Against the Nuclear Arms Race; the Salt Lake City–Chernovtsy, Ukraine Sister City program; and efforts to halt deployment of the MX Mobile Missile. During this period, he worked alongside many respected Utah community leaders and advocates.

From 1987 through 2003, Matthew volunteered as an on-air programmer at KRCL 90.9 FM, where he produced and hosted four weekly music programs. His professional experience includes ski instruction, commercial real estate analytics, nonprofit administration and management, and website design and software development.

Since 2017, Matthew has supported the International Rescue Committee in Salt Lake City by developing websites for the organization and refugee-owned food businesses it serves. That same year, he founded a small business providing website design, development, and consulting services to individuals, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations.