WaterBear Network Bolsters Management as Company Expands

Ellen Windemuth, WaterBear Network’s founder, is transitioning to full-time CEO as the company bolsters its management team and completes worldwide expansion.

Windemuth, previously joint-CEO of Off the Fence and WaterBear, will become the full-time CEO of WaterBear to focus on its growth. Since its launch one year ago, the network has grown to host 50 original productions and more than 1,000 documentaries.

Bo Stehmeier, who was co-CEO with Windemuth for both companies, will now be the full-time CEO of Off the Fence.

WaterBear Network has also expanded its executive leadership team with three strategic roles. Sam Sutaria takes on the group-wide role of VP of strategy and development, Poppy Mason-Watts assumes the group-wide role of VP of marketing and communications and Louis Botha takes on the group-wide role of VP of finance and operations.

In celebration of its first anniversary, WaterBear has completed its full worldwide expansion to reach 194 countries. As part of its worldwide rollout, the platform’s content—spanning biodiversity, community, climate action, sustainable fashion and more—is now available to watch on all Apple TV and Roku devices.

“We are excited by the fantastic response to WaterBear in our first year,” said Windemuth. “With our global rollout and the launch of WaterBear on Apple TV and Roku, we deliver our impact content to an ever-growing audience. For our brand partners and our partner NGOs, the WaterBear platform now provides a window to an authentic base of value-led consumers.”

She continued, “This expansion requires a strong and ambitious leadership team. In Sam, Poppy, and Louis we have the expertise, talent, dedication and ambition required to move the network to its next level.”