Sesame Workshop Welcome Laura Smith & Palak Solanki, New VPs
(New York, NY– November 3, 2010) Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organization behind Sesame Street, announced that Laura Smith and Palak Solanki have joined the Workshop as Vice President of Formal Learning and Vice President of Business Planning and Analysis respectively. Smith will report to Dr. Lewis Bernstein, Executive Vice President of Education, Research and Outreach. Solanki will report to Susan Kolar, Chief Strategy and Administrative Officer.
As Vice President of Formal Learning, Smith will help the Workshop define and provide a transformative educational experience for pre-schoolers in formal classrooms and centers across America using Sesame Street’s educational assets. Smith’s work will focus on how Sesame Street can best provide effective and delightful instructional materials for children, professional development for teachers, and new ways to engage parents and families to learn together at home. Her responsibilities include conducting research and analysis to inform strategic direction, coordinating a cross-functional project team to design and launch key programs, and securing internal and external support and investment from diverse audiences.
Most recently, Smith served as Assistant Commissioner for External Partnerships and Research with the New York State Department of Education. Her previous experience in the education field includes work with the New York City Department of Education, NYC Center for Charter School Excellence and the San Diego City School District. Smith earned a B.S. in Human Development from Cornell University in 1993 and a M.B.A. from Northwestern University in 2002. She resides in Manhattan.
As Vice President of Business Planning and Analysis, Solanki will be responsible for identifying and developing long term strategic business opportunities and evaluating potential acquisitions and other investments. In addition, she will be responsible for facilitating company-wide strategic planning activities and conducting business analysis for key initiatives and ventures.
Previously, Solanki served as the Director of Digital Sales Strategy & Business Development at MTV Networks. Solanki’s additional business experience includes work with Home Box Office, Inc. and Kurt Salmon Associates. Solanki earned a B.S. in Finance from New York University’s Stern School of Business and a M.B.A. from Columbia Business School. She lives in Manhattan.
“We are thrilled to add Laura Smith and Palak Solanki to our team as part of our efforts to expand Sesame Workshop’s educational reach by providing quality content for children in schools and communities,” says Gary E. Knell, President and CEO, Sesame Workshop. “Laura and Palak will be shaping new paths for the Workshop in today’s environment where the models for education and business are evolving with the success of digital technologies.”
###
