Wikimedia Foundation Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Wikimedia Foundation has 8 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, communications, and community governance.

Dedicated to the expansion of free knowledge, Wikimedia Foundation empowers global access to information through the maintenance of Wikipedia and various collaborative projects, ensuring sustainable growth for digital education.

Leadership Roles at Wikimedia Foundation

  • Chief Executive Officer - Bernadette Meehan
  • President - Carolin Geb
  • President, Wikimedia LLC - Lane Becker
  • Group President, Wikimedia Community User (Sri Lanka) - Rehman Abubakr
  • President - Shobowale Lekan
  • Chief of Staff - Nadee Gunasena
  • Deputy Chief of Staff - Margo Lee
  • Chief Communications Officer - Anusha Alikhan
  • Bernadette Meehan - Chief Executive Officer

    Bernadette Meehan, the Chief Executive Officer at Wikimedia Foundation, directs the overarching strategic vision for the nonprofit organization. Overseeing the operational health of Wikipedia and associated free knowledge projects, the Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment between technical infrastructure and the mission of universal information access. Bernadette Meehan manages high-level relationships with the Board of Trustees to secure long-term sustainability. By prioritizing resource allocation across global initiatives, the Chief Executive Officer drives organizational efficiency and supports the expansion of digital literacy. This leadership role involves navigating complex regulatory environments while maintaining the integrity of open-source platforms. Through consistent engagement with international stakeholders, the Chief Executive Officer fosters a culture of transparency and innovation. Ultimately, Meehan secures the future of the foundation by balancing technological advancements with the core values of community-driven knowledge sharing, ensuring the platform remains a vital resource for users worldwide.
    Bernadette Meehan

    Carolin Geb - President

    Carolin Geb, the President at Wikimedia Foundation, leads specific organizational divisions focused on scaling the impact of free knowledge projects. Overseeing the development of new initiatives, the President ensures that the foundation remains at the forefront of digital innovation. Carolin Geb manages the integration of new technologies into existing platforms to enhance user experience and accessibility. By driving growth strategies, the President expands the reach of the foundation's mission into emerging markets. This role involves working closely with the Board to define long-term objectives and ensure financial health. Through the oversight of key operational units, the President maintains the quality and reliability of the information provided by the foundation. Geb fosters a culture of excellence and accountability, ensuring that every project aligns with the core values of the organization. Ultimately, the President secures the foundation's position as a leader in the global effort to democratize information access.

    Lane Becker - President, Wikimedia LLC

    Lane Becker, the President, Wikimedia LLC at Wikimedia Foundation, directs the commercial and legal operations of the subsidiary entity. Overseeing the business-related functions of the LLC, the President, Wikimedia LLC ensures that all activities support the nonprofit mission of the foundation. Lane Becker manages contractual obligations, intellectual property matters, and corporate governance to protect the interests of the organization. By optimizing the business structure, the President, Wikimedia LLC enhances the foundation's ability to sustain its digital projects. This role involves coordinating with legal and financial teams to mitigate risks and ensure compliance with international standards. Through strategic oversight, the President, Wikimedia LLC supports the foundation's broader goals by providing a stable commercial framework. Becker ensures that the LLC operates with the same commitment to transparency and open knowledge that defines the parent organization, ultimately contributing to the long-term viability of the foundation's global knowledge-sharing efforts.

    Rehman Abubakr - Group President, Wikimedia Community User (Sri Lanka)

    Rehman Abubakr, the Group President, Wikimedia Community User (Sri Lanka) at Wikimedia Foundation, oversees regional community engagement and local project development. Managing the growth of the user base in South Asia, the Group President, Wikimedia Community User (Sri Lanka) ensures that local knowledge is effectively captured and shared. Rehman Abubakr facilitates partnerships with educational institutions and cultural organizations to promote the use of Wikimedia projects. By directing community-led initiatives, the Group President, Wikimedia Community User (Sri Lanka) strengthens the foundation's presence in the region. This role involves providing resources and guidance to local volunteers, ensuring that their contributions align with global quality standards. Through active participation in regional networks, the Group President, Wikimedia Community User (Sri Lanka) drives the expansion of free knowledge in diverse languages. Abubakr ensures that the foundation's mission remains inclusive and relevant to the specific needs of the local community, fostering a vibrant ecosystem of contributors.

    Shobowale Lekan - President

    Shobowale Lekan, the President at Wikimedia Foundation, manages the strategic implementation of community-focused programs and operational excellence. Overseeing the execution of large-scale projects, the President ensures that the foundation's resources are utilized to maximize the impact of free knowledge. Shobowale Lekan coordinates with regional leaders to ensure that the foundation's initiatives are culturally relevant and accessible. By driving operational improvements, the President enhances the efficiency of the foundation's internal processes. This role involves analyzing performance metrics to inform future strategy and ensure that the organization meets its ambitious goals. Through the leadership of cross-functional teams, the President fosters innovation and collaboration across the foundation. Lekan ensures that the organization remains agile and responsive to the evolving needs of the global community. Ultimately, the President contributes to the foundation's mission by building robust systems that support the sustainable growth of Wikipedia and its sister projects.

    Nadee Gunasena - Chief of Staff

    Nadee Gunasena, the Chief of Staff at Wikimedia Foundation, coordinates executive workflows and facilitates cross-departmental collaboration. Managing the daily operations of the leadership office, the Chief of Staff ensures that strategic priorities receive adequate attention and resources. Nadee Gunasena synthesizes complex information from various departments to provide actionable insights for the executive team. By streamlining communication channels, the Chief of Staff improves decision-making speed and organizational agility. This role involves overseeing special projects that impact the global reach of Wikimedia projects, ensuring that operational goals align with the broader mission of free knowledge. Through rigorous project management and stakeholder engagement, the Chief of Staff maintains focus on critical milestones. Gunasena optimizes internal processes to support the foundation's mission, ensuring that every team member contributes effectively to the success of the organization's digital platforms and community-driven initiatives.

    Margo Lee - Deputy Chief of Staff

    Margo Lee, the Deputy Chief of Staff at Wikimedia Foundation, supports the execution of administrative initiatives and operational planning. Assisting the Chief of Staff, the Deputy Chief of Staff manages internal logistics and ensures that organizational objectives remain on schedule. Margo Lee facilitates communication between departments to maintain alignment with the foundation's mission of providing free knowledge. By monitoring project progress and identifying potential bottlenecks, the Deputy Chief of Staff enhances operational efficiency across the organization. This role involves coordinating meetings, preparing briefings, and managing documentation for executive review. Through meticulous attention to detail, the Deputy Chief of Staff ensures that leadership decisions translate into effective actions. Lee contributes to the stability of the foundation by fostering a collaborative environment where teams can thrive. Ultimately, the Deputy Chief of Staff strengthens the operational foundation required to support the world's most popular knowledge-sharing websites.

    Anusha Alikhan - Chief Communications Officer

    Anusha Alikhan, the Chief Communications Officer at Wikimedia Foundation, architects the global messaging strategy for the organization. Overseeing public relations, brand identity, and community outreach, the Chief Communications Officer ensures that the mission of free knowledge resonates with diverse audiences. Anusha Alikhan manages the narrative surrounding Wikipedia and other projects, protecting the reputation of the foundation in a complex digital landscape. By directing media engagement and internal communications, the Chief Communications Officer fosters transparency and trust among stakeholders. This role involves collaborating with other C-suite leaders to align public-facing initiatives with strategic goals. Through the development of comprehensive communication plans, the Chief Communications Officer drives awareness and support for the foundation's initiatives. Alikhan ensures that the organization's impact remains visible and understood, ultimately strengthening the connection between the foundation and the global community of users who rely on these essential knowledge resources.
    Anusha Alikhan

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Wikimedia Foundation Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Wikimedia Foundation?
    Wikimedia Foundation is led by Bernadette Meehan (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Carolin Geb (President) and Lane Becker (President, Wikimedia LLC).
    Who is part of Wikimedia Foundation’s executive team?
    The executive team of Wikimedia Foundation includes leaders such as Bernadette Meehan (Chief Executive Officer), Carolin Geb (President), Lane Becker (President, Wikimedia LLC) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Wikimedia Foundation have?
    Wikimedia Foundation has 8 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Wikimedia Foundation’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Wikimedia Foundation includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, President, President, Wikimedia LLC, Group President, Wikimedia Community User (Sri Lanka), President.