Wikimedia Foundation Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Wikimedia Foundation has 7 executives leading key functions including strategy, organizational operations, communications, and community engagement.

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
  • Create Page for Chief Executive Officer - Maria Matvienko
  • President, Wikimedia LLC - Lane Becker
  • Group President, Wikimedia Community User (Sri Lanka) - Rehman Abubakr
  • 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 organization. Overseeing the global mission to provide free knowledge, the Chief Executive Officer manages high-level partnerships and ensures the long-term sustainability of Wikipedia. This leadership role involves coordinating with the Board to align operational goals with the nonprofit mandate. By fostering innovation in digital infrastructure, Bernadette Meehan drives the expansion of knowledge access across diverse international markets. The Chief Executive Officer maintains rigorous standards for transparency and governance, ensuring the platform remains a reliable resource for millions. Through constant engagement with stakeholders, the Chief Executive Officer secures the resources necessary for continued growth. Ultimately, Meehan shapes the future of open-source information by prioritizing accessibility and community-driven development, solidifying the position of the organization as a cornerstone of the modern internet landscape.
    Bernadette Meehan

    Maria Matvienko - Create Page for Chief Executive Officer

    Maria Matvienko, the Create Page for Chief Executive Officer at Wikimedia Foundation, architects the internal frameworks required for executive decision-making. Overseeing the administrative alignment of the leadership team, the Create Page for Chief Executive Officer ensures that organizational objectives translate into actionable projects. This role involves managing complex workflows that support the maintenance of Wikipedia and other knowledge projects. By optimizing internal processes, Maria Matvienko enhances the efficiency of the executive office. The Create Page for Chief Executive Officer facilitates communication between departments to ensure that strategic initiatives receive proper support. Through meticulous planning and resource allocation, the Create Page for Chief Executive Officer drives operational excellence across the organization. Ultimately, Matvienko strengthens the foundation of the nonprofit by streamlining the execution of core missions, ensuring that the organization remains agile while scaling its global impact on digital knowledge distribution.

    Lane Becker - President, Wikimedia LLC

    Lane Becker, the President, Wikimedia LLC at Wikimedia Foundation, oversees the commercial and legal entities that support the broader nonprofit mission. Directing the operational activities of the LLC, the President, Wikimedia LLC ensures that business functions align with the charitable goals of the foundation. This role involves managing the infrastructure and technical services that keep Wikipedia and related projects running smoothly. By optimizing the technical and legal framework, Lane Becker drives the scalability of the platform. The President, Wikimedia LLC coordinates with the executive team to ensure that all commercial activities remain compliant with the nonprofit mission. Through careful management of assets and partnerships, the President, Wikimedia LLC secures the financial and technical future of the organization. Ultimately, Becker provides the necessary support to keep the platform accessible, ensuring that the foundation can continue to provide free knowledge to a global audience without interruption.

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

    Rehman Abubakr, the Group President, Wikimedia Community User (Sri Lanka) at Wikimedia Foundation, leads regional initiatives focused on community engagement and knowledge expansion. Overseeing the growth of local contributor networks, the Group President, Wikimedia Community User (Sri Lanka) ensures that the platform reflects the diverse perspectives of the region. This role involves organizing community events, training programs, and outreach efforts to increase the quality and quantity of local language content. By fostering a vibrant community, Rehman Abubakr drives the mission of free knowledge at the grassroots level. The Group President, Wikimedia Community User (Sri Lanka) collaborates with global teams to ensure that regional efforts align with the broader organizational strategy. Through dedicated leadership, the Group President, Wikimedia Community User (Sri Lanka) empowers local users to contribute to the global knowledge base. Ultimately, Abubakr strengthens the foundation by building a sustainable and inclusive community of contributors.

    Nadee Gunasena - Chief of Staff

    Nadee Gunasena, the Chief of Staff at Wikimedia Foundation, manages the daily operational cadence of the executive leadership team. Overseeing the integration of cross-departmental projects, the Chief of Staff ensures that strategic priorities remain on schedule. This role involves facilitating high-level meetings and synthesizing information for the executive office to support informed decision-making. By coordinating efforts across the organization, Nadee Gunasena drives alignment with the mission of providing free knowledge. The Chief of Staff monitors the progress of key initiatives, ensuring that resources reach the most critical areas of the platform. Through proactive problem-solving, the Chief of Staff mitigates risks to operational continuity. Ultimately, Gunasena optimizes the internal structure of the organization, allowing the leadership team to focus on long-term growth and the continued success of Wikipedia as a primary global resource for information and collaborative learning.

    Margo Lee - Deputy Chief of Staff

    Margo Lee, the Deputy Chief of Staff at Wikimedia Foundation, supports the execution of organizational strategy by managing specific operational workstreams. Overseeing the implementation of internal policies, the Deputy Chief of Staff ensures that teams remain focused on the core mission of free knowledge. This role involves analyzing performance metrics and reporting findings to the executive leadership to improve efficiency. By bridging the gap between high-level strategy and daily execution, Margo Lee drives the successful delivery of complex projects. The Deputy Chief of Staff coordinates with various departments to ensure that resources align with the needs of the Wikimedia community. Through careful oversight of administrative functions, the Deputy Chief of Staff maintains the stability of the organization. Ultimately, Lee enhances the operational capacity of the foundation, ensuring that the platform continues to serve as a reliable and accessible source of information for users worldwide.

    Anusha Alikhan - Chief Communications Officer

    Anusha Alikhan, the Chief Communications Officer at Wikimedia Foundation, directs the global messaging and public relations strategy for the organization. Overseeing the narrative surrounding Wikipedia and other projects, the Chief Communications Officer ensures that the mission of free knowledge reaches diverse audiences. This role involves managing media relations, brand identity, and public advocacy efforts to support the nonprofit status of the foundation. By crafting clear and impactful messaging, Anusha Alikhan drives public understanding of the importance of open-source information. The Chief Communications Officer collaborates with international teams to ensure that communications remain culturally relevant and effective across different regions. Through strategic outreach, the Chief Communications Officer builds trust with the global community. Ultimately, Alikhan protects the reputation of the organization, ensuring that the public remains engaged with the mission of providing accessible, reliable, and free knowledge to every person on the planet.
    Anusha Alikhan

    Explore Leadership Teams in Non-Profit & Charitable Organizations

    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 Maria Matvienko (Create Page for Chief Executive Officer) 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), Maria Matvienko (Create Page for Chief Executive Officer), Lane Becker (President, Wikimedia LLC) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Wikimedia Foundation have?
    Wikimedia Foundation has 7 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, Create Page for Chief Executive Officer, President, Wikimedia LLC, Group President, Wikimedia Community User (Sri Lanka), Chief of Staff.