Global Nonprofit Sesame Workshop Names Chakshu S. Patel Chief Development Officer
(New York, NY, November 9, 2026) Sesame Workshop, the global nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, today announced that Chakshu S. Patel will join the organization as Chief Development Officer. Patel will lead the organization’s global philanthropic strategy and fundraising operations, driving revenue growth and expanding philanthropic development in support of Sesame Workshop’s mission to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. She will report to President and CEO Sherrie Westin.
“Chakshu combines strategic acumen with a genuine talent for bringing people together around a shared purpose,” said Westin. “Her passion for Sesame Workshop’s mission is matched by her commitment to building the relationships that make our work possible. As we look to the future, Chakshu’s leadership will strengthen the support needed to sustain our work, at a time when the need for Sesame is greater than ever.”
Patel brings more than 25 years of experience spanning nonprofit leadership, institutional advancement, and law. She joins Sesame Workshop from the Studio Museum in Harlem, where she served as Chief Advancement and External Affairs Officer. There, she helped strengthen the institution’s fundraising capabilities and advance its vision for the future. She also led the $300 million capital campaign supporting the Museum’s first permanent home designed specifically for its collection, while expanding its exhibitions and public programming. Prior to the Studio Museum, Patel spent more than a decade at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, where she grew institutional giving from $11.8 million to more than $85 million. She began her career as an attorney, working at the ACLU and in private practice.
Patel holds a J.D. from New York University School of Law, where she graduated magna cum laude and was elected to the Order of the Coif, and a B.A. in women’s studies from Drew University.
“I’m honored to join Sesame Workshop at such a pivotal moment in its history,” said Patel. “For decades, this organization has demonstrated what’s possible when creativity, rigor, and heart come together in service of children and families. I look forward to building a philanthropic strategy that matches the scale of its ambition and impact.”
Patel’s appointment reflects Sesame Workshop’s continued investment in the philanthropic infrastructure needed to sustain and deepen its impact worldwide as the organization deepens its reach to children and families around the globe.
About Sesame Workshop
Sesame Workshop is the global nonprofit behind Sesame Street with a mission to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. We support children and the caring adults in their lives in the moments that shape early childhood, reaching families with playful learning in over 190 countries. Through beloved characters and joyful educational media, Sesame helps children understand themselves, connect with others, and make sense of an ever-changing world. Learn more at www.sesame.org and follow Sesame Workshop on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Threads, and X.
Contact:
press@sesame.org