Sesame Workshop Names Joseph Giraldi Chief Operating Officer
Sesame Workshop, the global impact nonprofit behind Sesame Street, has named Joseph Giraldi Chief Operating Officer. Giraldi will be responsible for overseeing the organization’s operational strategy to continue creating award-winning educational media, initiatives, and products, delivering impact to families through a wide range of platforms and new technologies. Giraldi will report to Sherrie Westin, CEO.
“Sesame Workshop has been using the power of media to bring quality early education to children around the globe for more than 55 years, and in this rapidly changing media environment, Joseph’s deep expertise in digital strategy and business development will be a huge asset going forward,” said Westin. “He has a proven track record in media and technology and is highly regarded as both an innovative and empathetic leader. I’m excited to partner with him to ensure that Sesame Workshop is positioned to deliver on our mission to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder for decades to come.
“What I admire most about Sesame Workshop is the organization’s sense of purpose and long history of making a meaningful difference in the lives of children,” said Giraldi. “Five decades ago, it used the cutting-edge medium of the time, television, to transform the way children learned and prepared for success in school and life. Today, the Workshop continues its legacy of innovation at a critical time when its mission has never been more needed. I look forward to working with the team to help carry on this incredible legacy.”
Most recently, Giraldi co-founded CJBK Media Group, a consulting firm serving nonprofit, corporate, and start-up organizations by providing thought leadership and strategic planning to drive innovation and growth through storytelling, technology, and strategic partnerships. In addition to prior roles driving new business growth at IMAX, Time Inc and IBM, he spent twelve years at Smithsonian Channel (Paramount) in several roles including EVP, Digital Media & Strategy, where he led global marketing, growth strategy and execution, including the build-out of foundational operational and organizational structures to lead the company’s international digital and product portfolio. Earlier in his career, as Director, Digital Distribution & Strategic Partnerships at HBO, Giraldi led the vision, strategy and execution of HBO’s expansion into digital content and emerging platforms.
Giraldi serves on the Board of Trustees for TDF, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing the power of the performing arts to everyone, and as an Adjunct Professor in the Entertainment, Media, and Technology Program at NYU Stern.
