Sherrie Westin has navigated an impressive career, from the Oval Office to the heart of Sesame Street. For over twenty years, she has collaborated with beloved characters like Elmo and Big Bird to educate and entertain children globally.

Becoming CEO

“I’ve enjoyed every role I’ve had at Sesame,” Westin shares. Her extensive journey at Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind the iconic show, has revolved around the mission to make kids “smarter, stronger, and kinder.”

“I’ve never felt like I was done learning. The various challenges and projects I’ve managed have always been engaging and fulfilling,” Westin reflects on her experiences in marketing, philanthropy, and social initiatives.

Initially, she didn’t see herself in a leadership position. “When I began, my kids were young, and I had a lot on my plate,” she admits. “In recent years, people started suggesting that I should aim for this role.”

In 2024, during a transition phase, the board approached her to step up. “I took on the interim role, saying, ‘I don’t want to be CEO, but I can help until you find someone,’” she recalls. However, as she settled into the position, her perspective changed.

“I felt a surge of empowerment,” she says, realizing, “Wait a minute, this could be my path.”

Facing Challenges

Shortly after assuming the interim CEO position, Westin was officially appointed CEO of Sesame Workshop. She emphasizes the importance of ensuring Sesame remains relevant for future generations.

She describes 2025 as “a bit of a perfect storm,” marking it as her toughest professional period yet.

One major setback was the end of Sesame’s distribution agreement with Discovery/HBO Max, leading to immense pressure to find a new home for the content. Compounding this issue were federal funding cuts that affected the organization’s budget. While the loss from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting was minor, the termination of USAID funds severely impacted international projects.

“In Bangladesh, USAID was our sole funding source. I didn’t see that coming,” Westin noted.

These challenges necessitated difficult decisions, including layoffs. “We recognized that we had to resize the organization due to the changing media landscape. It’s incredibly hard, especially with such a long tenure,” Westin explains, acknowledging the pain of downsizing.

Looking Ahead

Despite these hurdles, Westin successfully secured a vital distribution agreement with Netflix, leading to the premiere of Sesame Street’s 56th season on both Netflix and PBS in September 2025.

“Netflix offers us access to 190 countries, 330 million households, and over 30 languages, which is fantastic for our mission,” she enthused.

The public-private partnership is crucial for Westin. “We aim to reach all children, not just those who can afford streaming services. Being part of public broadcasting is essential to our identity.”

Even with the Netflix partnership, fundraising remains a priority to cover operational costs. “We’re facing a significant budget deficit,” Westin admits. “The challenge now is conveying the need for support to continue Sesame’s mission. I genuinely believe our work is more important now than ever.”

Leadership Insights

Westin's leadership at Sesame Workshop is grounded in a strong commitment to its mission and authenticity. “It’s all about being genuine,” she explains. “Not everyone will agree with me, but I hope they recognize my honorable intentions and commitment to the organization.”

Her time as an aide to President George H.W. Bush instilled in her the value of integrity and a clear guiding principle in leadership. “I learned the significance of character and steadfastness, especially during challenging times,” she recalled.

“While there were many obstacles, I always trusted President Bush's character and intentions,” Westin said.

Advice for Aspiring Professionals

Westin acknowledges that her career path wasn’t meticulously planned. Beyond her White House experience, she has held roles at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and ABC News.

“I certainly didn’t map it out, but it’s been beneficial. Even now at Sesame Workshop, I draw on my experiences in Washington and at ABC,” she states.

For students and early-career professionals, she encourages embracing diverse experiences. “Stay open to opportunities, even if they lead to discovering what you don’t like. Every experience teaches you something valuable.”

Westin cherishes her role as CEO and all the lessons learned along the way: “I feel incredibly fortunate to lead this organization and proud of what we have accomplished.”