Ed Wells
About Ed Wells
Ed Wells serves as the Chief Executive Officer of The Second City and has held the position of Head of International at Sesame Workshop since 2017. He has a diverse background in international business development and media, with previous roles at Nickelodeon, WWE, and Viacom International Japan.
Current Role at The Second City
Ed Wells serves as the Chief Executive Officer of The Second City, a position he has held since 2022. He operates from Chicago, Illinois, where he oversees the organization's strategic direction and business operations. Under his leadership, The Second City continues to be a prominent institution in the field of improvisational comedy and entertainment.
Experience at Sesame Workshop
Since 2017, Ed Wells has been the Head of International at Sesame Workshop, located in the Greater New York City Area. In this role, he is responsible for expanding the organization's global reach and ensuring the effective distribution of its educational content worldwide. His tenure has contributed to Sesame Workshop's mission of promoting learning through engaging media.
Professional Background in Media and Entertainment
Ed Wells has extensive experience in the media and entertainment industry. He worked at Nickelodeon as Vice President and General Manager of Nickelodeon Japan for one year in Tokyo. He also held roles at WWE as Executive Vice President and Head of International and at Viacom International Japan as Senior Director of Business Development. His diverse background includes positions at Disney ABC Television Group and Fox Filmed Entertainment.
Educational Background
Ed Wells holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Asian Studies with a focus on Japanese from the University of Michigan, where he studied from 1992 to 1996. He also earned two Master of Arts degrees in International Relations, one from American University (1997-1998) and another from Ritsumeikan University in Japan (1998-1999). His educational background supports his career in international business and media.