Wikimedia Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Wikimedia has 8 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, operational management, administrative coordination, and global marketing.

Dedicated to the expansion of free knowledge, Wikimedia empowers global communities to access information through open-source platforms while maintaining a commitment to neutral, high-quality educational content.

Leadership Roles at Wikimedia

  • Chief Executive Officer - João Peschanski
  • Chief Financial Officer - Jaime Villagomez
  • Interim Chief Operating Officer - Terence Gilbey
  • President - Barrett Roberts
  • President - Érica Azzellini
  • President - Michael Miller
  • Deputy Chief of Staff - Marguerite Lee
  • Chief Communications Officer, Marketing IC-7 - Lindsay Ferguson
  • João Peschanski - Chief Executive Officer

    João Peschanski, the Chief Executive Officer at Wikimedia, directs the overarching strategic vision for the organization. Peschanski manages the alignment of nonprofit objectives with the technical requirements of Wikipedia and associated free knowledge projects. By fostering partnerships across international borders, the Chief Executive Officer ensures the sustainability of open-access information models. João Peschanski oversees the executive team to maintain operational integrity while scaling digital infrastructure to meet rising global demand. This leadership role involves constant engagement with the Board to refine long-term goals regarding information accessibility. Through rigorous oversight of organizational health, the Chief Executive Officer drives the mission of providing universal access to knowledge. Peschanski prioritizes the development of robust, scalable systems that support millions of daily users. Ultimately, the Chief Executive Officer secures the future of the foundation by balancing technological innovation with the core values of community-driven content creation.

    Jaime Villagomez - Chief Financial Officer

    Jaime Villagomez, the Chief Financial Officer at Wikimedia, manages the fiscal health and resource allocation for the foundation. Villagomez oversees the budgeting processes that support the maintenance of Wikipedia and other free knowledge projects. By implementing transparent financial reporting, the Chief Financial Officer ensures compliance with nonprofit regulations while optimizing funding for technical infrastructure. Jaime Villagomez coordinates with the executive team to prioritize investments in server capacity and software development. This leadership role involves analyzing global economic trends to mitigate risks associated with international operations. Through careful management of donor contributions and grant distributions, the Chief Financial Officer sustains the financial stability required for long-term growth. Villagomez drives efficiency across all departments by streamlining procurement and operational spending. Ultimately, the Chief Financial Officer provides the necessary capital to keep the platform accessible to users worldwide without subscription barriers or commercial advertising.

    Terence Gilbey - Interim Chief Operating Officer

    Terence Gilbey, the Interim Chief Operating Officer at Wikimedia, directs the daily operational workflows that sustain the foundation. Gilbey oversees the internal processes that enable the seamless functioning of Wikipedia and its sister projects. By optimizing organizational efficiency, the Interim Chief Operating Officer ensures that technical teams remain focused on platform stability and user experience. Terence Gilbey coordinates cross-departmental initiatives to improve project management and internal communication. This leadership role involves refining the operational framework to support rapid scaling during periods of high traffic. Through the implementation of agile methodologies, the Interim Chief Operating Officer drives productivity across the engineering and administrative divisions. Gilbey monitors performance metrics to identify bottlenecks in service delivery. Ultimately, the Interim Chief Operating Officer maintains the operational backbone of the organization, ensuring that the foundation continues to provide reliable, free knowledge to a global audience through consistent, high-performance internal management.

    Barrett Roberts - President

    Barrett Roberts, the President at Wikimedia, directs the external engagement and institutional partnerships that support the foundation. Roberts oversees the development of relationships with global organizations to promote the value of free knowledge. By advocating for open-access policies, the President ensures that the foundation remains a leader in the digital information landscape. Barrett Roberts coordinates with the executive team to shape the public image and policy stance of the organization. This leadership role involves navigating complex regulatory environments to protect the integrity of Wikipedia and its community-driven model. Through strategic outreach, the President drives awareness of the foundation's mission among diverse stakeholders. Roberts monitors the impact of external programs to ensure alignment with the foundation's core values. Ultimately, the President strengthens the institutional foundation of the organization, securing the necessary support to maintain the platform as a vital, independent resource for users across the globe.

    Érica Azzellini - President

    Érica Azzellini, the President at Wikimedia, directs the community-focused initiatives that sustain the foundation's volunteer base. Azzellini oversees the programs designed to empower contributors and ensure the quality of content across all projects. By fostering inclusive environments, the President encourages participation from diverse regions and languages. Érica Azzellini coordinates with the executive team to implement tools that simplify the editing process and improve user collaboration. This leadership role involves analyzing community feedback to drive improvements in platform governance and content moderation. Through the promotion of open-knowledge initiatives, the President expands the foundation's influence in educational sectors. Azzellini monitors the health of the contributor ecosystem to ensure long-term sustainability. Ultimately, the President champions the community-driven nature of the organization, ensuring that the foundation remains a collaborative, user-led entity that provides free, reliable information to the world without compromising the integrity of the content.

    Michael Miller - President

    Michael Miller, the President at Wikimedia, directs the technical infrastructure and innovation strategy for the foundation. Miller oversees the engineering teams responsible for maintaining the stability and security of the platform's servers and software. By prioritizing the development of new features, the President ensures that Wikipedia remains accessible and user-friendly for millions of people. Michael Miller coordinates with the executive team to integrate emerging technologies that enhance the foundation's digital capabilities. This leadership role involves managing the technical roadmap to support the foundation's long-term growth and scalability. Through the oversight of software development cycles, the President drives the continuous improvement of the platform's architecture. Miller monitors system performance to prevent downtime and ensure data integrity. Ultimately, the President secures the technical foundation of the organization, providing the robust, reliable infrastructure necessary to host the world's largest collection of free, community-generated knowledge.
    Michael Miller

    Marguerite Lee - Deputy Chief of Staff

    Marguerite Lee, the Deputy Chief of Staff at Wikimedia, coordinates the strategic priorities of the executive office. Lee oversees the flow of information between leadership and the broader organization to ensure alignment with the mission of free knowledge. By managing complex projects and administrative initiatives, the Deputy Chief of Staff facilitates effective decision-making processes. Marguerite Lee supports the executive team by streamlining communication and tracking progress on key organizational goals. This leadership role involves preparing briefings and managing high-level stakeholder interactions to maintain focus on core objectives. Through the integration of administrative best practices, the Deputy Chief of Staff drives organizational cohesion. Lee monitors the execution of strategic plans to ensure that all departments contribute to the foundation's long-term success. Ultimately, the Deputy Chief of Staff optimizes the internal environment, allowing the leadership team to focus on expanding the reach and impact of the foundation's digital projects.

    Lindsay Ferguson - Chief Communications Officer, Marketing IC-7

    Lindsay Ferguson, the Chief Communications Officer, Marketing IC-7 at Wikimedia, directs the global messaging and brand strategy for the foundation. Ferguson oversees the marketing campaigns that raise awareness for the importance of free knowledge and the role of Wikipedia. By crafting compelling narratives, the Chief Communications Officer, Marketing IC-7 ensures that the foundation's mission resonates with a broad, international audience. Lindsay Ferguson coordinates with the executive team to manage public relations and digital outreach efforts. This leadership role involves analyzing market trends to optimize communication channels and increase user engagement. Through the development of consistent brand messaging, the Chief Communications Officer, Marketing IC-7 drives public support and donor participation. Ferguson monitors the effectiveness of marketing initiatives to ensure alignment with the foundation's strategic goals. Ultimately, the Chief Communications Officer, Marketing IC-7 strengthens the foundation's public presence, ensuring that the value of open-access information remains a central topic in global discourse.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Wikimedia Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Wikimedia?
    Wikimedia is led by João Peschanski (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Jaime Villagomez (Chief Financial Officer) and Terence Gilbey (Interim Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of Wikimedia’s executive team?
    The executive team of Wikimedia includes leaders such as João Peschanski (Chief Executive Officer), Jaime Villagomez (Chief Financial Officer), Terence Gilbey (Interim Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Wikimedia have?
    Wikimedia has 8 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Wikimedia’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Wikimedia includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Interim Chief Operating Officer, President, President.