Gary E. Knell
President & CEO, Sesame Workshop
Keynote Panel: State of the Kid Nation

Gary E. Knell is President and Chief Executive Officer of Sesame Workshop. Knell leads the non-profit educational organization in its mission to create innovative, engaging content that maximizes the educational power of all media to help children reach their highest potential. In his role, Knell has been instrumental in focusing the organization on Sesame Street's global mission, including groundbreaking co-productions in South Africa, Russia, China and Egypt. He leads over 300 dedicated producers, researchers and other talented professionals in a variety of media applications, including television, print, online and radio.

Previously, Knell was Managing Director of Manager Media International, a print and multimedia publishing company based in Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Singapore. In this capacity, he oversaw the development of the monthly business magazine Asia Inc., the daily Asian-based newspaper Asia Times, and several trade publications.

He also has served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel at WNET/Channel 13 in New York, was Counsel to the US Senate Judiciary and Governmental Affairs Committees, and worked in the California State Legislature and Governor's Office.

Knell is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a participant in the Aspen Institute Forum on Communications and Society as well as the Columbia University American Assembly. He is also serves on the Board of the National Geographic Education Foundation, The Kitchen, a performing arts center in New York City, and National Video Resources, and serves on the Board of Governors of the American Center for Children and Media as well as the Advisory Boards for the Music Educators National Conference in Alexandria, VA, and WFUV-Public Radio in New York City. A frequent spokesperson in public appearances and media on issues relating to children and media, Knell holds a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Loyola University School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Journalism from the University of California at Los Angeles.

Gary Knell is married to Kim Larson Knell and is the father of four children.