Sesame Workshop Promotes for Social Impact Role

Sesame Workshop has upped Lesley Bourns to senior VP of its international social impact (ISI) department.

In her new role, Bourns oversees the ISI department, which develops and executes media-driven educational initiatives to support early childhood development, particularly for children facing marginalization and exclusion. She will be focusing on humanitarian and human rights issues and nonprofit management.

Most recently, Bourns was VP of international programs. She joined the company in 2019 to develop and launch its humanitarian advocacy strategy and has led the six-year multi-country project Play to Learn. Her role was later expanded. to encompass the Welcome Sesame initiative.

Prior to joining Sesame Workshop, Bourns worked at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) as a lead analyst on the policy analysis and innovation team, where she created policy recommendations and frameworks such as “Leaving No One Behind: Humanitarian Effectiveness in the Age of the SDGs.” She also previously served as chief of staff at the International Center for Transitional Justice.

“Lesley is a visionary leader whose strategic and compassionate approach has contributed enormously to the success and impact of the Workshop’s global initiatives,” said Sherrie Westin, CEO of Sesame Workshop. “From the expansion of our Welcome Sesame program for children affected by conflict and crisis to addressing the impact of climate on young children, Lesley is always focused on the most pressing issues facing young children.”