_______________________________________________Hello everyone,
Following up on Janeen’s email with some thoughts and additional information.
Janeen has been a vital part of evolving several areas of the Foundation’s operations during her two years with us. Her efforts to establish processes that allow the Leadership Team and Board to more effectively measure the work of each department is something I am especially appreciative of because it has provided the Board, and observers of the reports on Meta-Wiki, with even greater insight into the impact of the Foundation’s incredibly hardworking and talented staff.
Additionally, Janeen has been an important and strategic advocate and collaborator on critical thinking and action surrounding racial justice and equity within the Foundation and movement. The Foundation is committed to promoting and protecting a movement that supports and amplifies diverse voices and ideas. Together, we must increase awareness about the gaps in representation across our projects if we are to reach our goal of knowledge equity and free knowledge for all.
Given we are now actively looking for our next CEO and ED, we will not be backfilling the COO role, allowing a new Foundation leader the necessary flexibility in thinking about our future organizational staffing needs. The Foundation's Transition team - Amanda, Jaime, and Robyn - will continue to provide day-to-day support and management of the Foundation's staff and operations, working closely with the Board Transition Committee.
As we wish Janeen the best of luck for wherever her journey takes her next, please join me in celebrating all that Janeen has accomplished here in the relatively short time she has been with us. I appreciate the energetic, enthusiastic, and passionate voice she brought to her work at the Foundation, and her efforts to protect our staff and communities - particularly those hit hardest during this past year.
Kind regards,
María
El vie., 14 may. 2021 14:39, Janeen Uzzell <juzzell@wikimedia.org> escribió:_______________________________________________Hi all,
I wanted to share some news. I will be stepping down as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the Wikimedia Foundation.
The past two years that I have served as COO have been a formative time in my life, both personally and professionally. My time at the Foundation has shaped me in many important ways, and I feel deeply connected to our shared global mission--there is so much to learn and there are endless possibilities to improve the world. Our movement is positioned on the cusp of a more diverse and equitable future and I am so proud of the part I had in that, and those of you I worked with to grow that vision.
I remain steadfast in my passion for sharing knowledge to any and everyone for free, and supporting those who’ve been left out of structures of power and privilege.
The weight of current US issues related to Black Lives Matter has had a life changing impact on me. I am compelled to use my leadership platform to address biases and injustices in technology. Closing the gaps in diversity, equity, and inclusion in technology within the US is a mountain that I want to have a greater impact in moving. After reflection on my strengths and contemplation of the action required to make change, I intend to find opportunities to focus solely on racial equity and technology in my next venture.
I’ve dedicated my career to breaking down barriers, particularly in technology, and you all gave me strength, stories and guidance on how to do that as part of this movement. I am grateful for the many moments we have shared, whether at community events from Wikimania in Sweden to Wikindaba in Abuja, or at online gatherings and on-wiki. I am not planning to travel far from this movement, and inviting more people to participate in our projects is a cause I will continue to champion. #WhoTellsYourStory will always be a part of my narrative.
My decision does not change the Foundation’s plans as we move into another fiscal year this July. With our ongoing search for a new CEO, we currently have a Transition Team in place to manage these changes, led by Amanda Keton, General Counsel, Jaime Villagomez, Chief Financial Officer, and Robyn Arville, Chief Talent and Culture Officer. Our new Executive Director will then be able to decide what they would like to do with the COO position.
I hope to see you all out in the world speaking on tech for good. We have a lot of work to do, but it’s worth it.
Janeen
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