Gary Knell is president and chief executive officer of Sesame Workshop. Mr. Knell leads the non-profit educational organization in its mission to create innovative, engaging content that maximizes the educational power of all media to help children reach their highest potential. He has been instrumental in focusing the organization on Sesame Street's global mission, including groundbreaking co-productions in South Africa, Russia, China and Egypt.

Founded in 1968 as the Children's Television Workshop, its creators shared a common goal: to use television as a tool to help children learn. This group of visionary educators, psychologists, child development experts, artists, writers and musicians pioneered the concept of entertaining, enriching television that could measurably enhance the lives of millions of educationally disadvantaged youngsters. From this collaboration came Sesame Street - now one of the greatest educators of young children in the world.

Mr. Knell formerly served as senior vice president and general counsel at WNET/Channel 13 in New York, was counsel to the U.S. Senate Judiciary and Governmental Affairs Committees, and worked in the California State Legislature and Governor's Office.

He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and serves on the boards of the National Geographic Education Foundation; NetAid, a UN founded organization using technology to fight global poverty; Business for Diplomatic Action, promoting public diplomacy through the private sector; and American Public Television. He is also an advisor to the Annenberg School of Communications, and Common Sense Media. He is a frequent spokesperson in the media and has appeared on CNN, Fox News, NBC’s “Today Show,” NPR, and CNBC. . . . short bio

Gary Knell is president and chief executive officer of Sesame Workshop. Mr. Knell leads the non-profit educational organization in its mission to create innovative, engaging content that maximizes the educational power of all media to help children reach their highest potential. He has been instrumental in focusing the organization on Sesame Street's global mission, including groundbreaking co-productions in South Africa, Russia, China and Egypt . . . full bio