Maureen Trantham
About Maureen Trantham
Maureen Trantham serves as the Senior Vice President, Head of Strategy and Social Impact & Philanthropy Operations at Sesame Workshop, where she has worked since 2022. She has extensive experience in strategy and operations across various sectors, including media and education, and is a Term Member at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Work at Sesame Workshop
Maureen Trantham has been serving as the Senior Vice President, Head of Strategy and Social Impact & Philanthropy Operations at Sesame Workshop since 2022. In this role, she coordinates results across the organization’s global, philanthropically funded social impact initiatives. Trantham oversees Sesame Workshop's Compliance and Risk Management capabilities, ensuring that the organization operates within established guidelines while achieving its strategic goals. Her previous tenure at Sesame Workshop includes positions as Vice President of Social Impact & Philanthropy Operations and Senior Vice President of Global Social Impact & Philanthropy Operations.
Professional Experience
Trantham has a diverse professional background, having worked in various roles across multiple organizations. Prior to her current position, she held roles at Strategy& as a Senior Associate, Director, and Engagement Manager from 2013 to 2019. She also completed a fellowship at TNTP in 2013. Her earlier career includes positions at Partnership for Learning as Communications Manager and Executive Director, and roles at Owen Media and Starbucks Coffee Company in communications. Additionally, she has experience in journalism, having worked as a reporter and designer for China Daily and as a copy editor and reporter for The Nation.
Education and Expertise
Maureen Trantham holds an MBA from New York University's Stern School of Business, where she studied Strategy, Finance, and Global Business. She also earned a BA in Communications (Journalism) and the Comparative History of Ideas from the University of Washington. Trantham has furthered her leadership skills through participation in Leadership Tomorrow. Her educational background supports her expertise in improving operations and restructuring organizations across various sectors, including media, technology, and consumer-focused companies.
Membership and Affiliations
Since 2020, Maureen Trantham has been a Term Member at the Council on Foreign Relations, where she engages with global issues and policy discussions. This affiliation complements her work in social impact and philanthropy, allowing her to connect with leaders and experts in various fields. Her involvement in such organizations reflects her commitment to understanding and addressing complex social challenges.
Background
Maureen Trantham's career began in journalism, with early roles as a reporter and designer for China Daily in Shanghai and as a copy editor and reporter for The Nation in Bangkok. She transitioned into communications and strategy roles, developing a strong foundation in organizational operations. Trantham has worked in various locations, including Seattle, New York City, and internationally, which has enriched her perspective on global social issues.