Sesame Workshop has named Sherrie Westin its new chief executive officer, shifting from the interim position she was named to by the nonprofit’s board of trustees earlier this year.
Previously, Westin served as the president of the organization behind “Sesame Street” since 2021. She was appointed interim CEO upon the exit of chief Steve Youngwood in February. The appointment of Westin to fulltime CEO makes her the first woman to be named CEO of Sesame Workshop since “Sesame Street” creator Joan Ganz Cooney.
“After an extensive CEO search, the Sesame Workshop Board of Trustees unanimously selected Sherrie Westin, who has proven herself to be deeply knowledgeable, tireless in her efforts on behalf of children and families, and passionately committed to our mission,” Sesame Workshop board of trustees Gaby Sulzberger said. “Sherrie is the inspirational leader the Workshop needs, and she has the Board’s absolute confidence and support as she accepts this role and leads us into the future.”
Related Stories
Cooney added: “Sesame Workshop’s mission is to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder — and no one has done more to advance that mission than Sherrie Westin, a seasoned leader with both proven experience and an unwavering dedication to uplifting the lives of children. I can think of no better person to lead Sesame Workshop as it addresses the most pressing needs of children and families around the world.”
Popular on Variety
“Children are the most important investment we can make in our future,” Westin said. “They are the reason ‘Sesame Street’ was created 55 years ago, and why the need for our work is greater than ever. Carrying on Joan Ganz Cooney’s legacy is both humbling and inspiring, and I’m honored to work with Gaby, the Trustees, and my colleagues to make sure that ‘Sesame Street’ can continue to help children thrive for the next 55 years and beyond.”
During her time as president, Westin directed Sesame Workshop’s impactful early learning efforts through media and target social impact and research initiatives reaching children and families around the world. She joined Sesame Workshop in 1998, and has since held roles across programming, licensing, research, education, and brand strategy, harnessing the power of media to reach children at scale.
Westin led a partnership with the International Rescue Committee to bring critical early education to children in the Middle East, which was awarded the MacArthur Foundation’s first ever “100&Change” $100 million grant.