Bernadette Meehan

About

I am the CEO of the Wikimedia Foundation, the non-profit that operates Wikipedia. Most recently, I served as the U.S. Ambassador to Chile. I bring more than two decades of leadership across geopolitics, technology, philanthropy, and global markets—building cross-sector partnerships, navigating complex policy challenges, and driving innovation. I believe in the power of individuals connected by shared principles to create tangible, collective, lasting impact.

Experience

• Chief Executive Officer at Wikimedia Foundation
  Jan 2026 - Present · 6 mos

• U.S. Ambassador to Chile at U.S. Department of State
  Jul 2022 - Jan 2025 · 2 yrs 7 mos

• Obama Foundation (4 yrs 8 mos)
  • Executive Vice President of Global Programs
    Sep 2020 - Sep 2021 · 1 yr 1 mo

  • Chief of International Programs
    Feb 2018 - Sep 2020 · 2 yrs 8 mos

  • Executive Director of International Programs
    Feb 2017 - Feb 2018 · 1 yr 1 mo

• Special Advisor to the President at National Security Council, The White House
  Jan 2016 - Jan 2017 · 1 yr 1 mo

• U.S. Department of State Fellow & Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service
  Aug 2015 - Aug 2016 · 1 yr 1 mo