Wanda Witherspoon
About Wanda Witherspoon
Wanda Witherspoon serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Sesame Workshop, where she has implemented impactful DEI programs. She also holds positions as Interim Board Chair at Marymount University and as a member of Chief and Seramount.
Current Role at Sesame Workshop
Wanda Witherspoon serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Sesame Workshop. In this role, she leads the development, implementation, and management of enterprise-wide DEI programs, policies, and tools. Under her leadership, Sesame Workshop achieved a 15% improvement in DEIB-related employee survey metrics. She also holds the position of Vice President of Public Affairs & Special Events / Speakers Bureau since 2016, where she has been instrumental in executing high-profile live and special events.
Work at Marymount University
Since 2023, Wanda Witherspoon has been serving as the Interim Board Chair and Advisory Board Member for the College of Sciences and Humanities at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia. Her involvement in this role reflects her commitment to higher education and community engagement.
Experience at Sesame Workshop
Wanda Witherspoon has extensive experience at Sesame Workshop, having worked there in various capacities since 1997. She served as the Director of Corporate Events from 1997 to 2000, then as Assistant Vice President for Corporate Events - Social Impact & Philanthropy from 2000 to 2016. She also worked as an Event Producer for Events & Promotions in 1996-1997. Her tenure has included leading a high-performing events team for significant milestones, such as Sesame Street’s 50th anniversary.
Professional Affiliations
Wanda Witherspoon is an active member of several professional organizations. She has been a member of Chief since 2023 and is part of the Seramount CDO Collaborative since 2021. Additionally, she has been involved with AARP as part of the LLEL Collaborative since 2022, contributing to discussions on diversity and inclusion within these networks.
Educational Background
Wanda Witherspoon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Media & Communication from Marymount University. Her educational background has provided a foundation for her extensive career in communications and event management across various organizations.