Chairman Gary Knell quits National Geographic Partners

Gary Knell, Chairman of National Geographic Partners has decided to step down from the organization owned by Disney. Knell joined the organization in 2014 as President & CEO and then as Chairman from March 2018 till date. He has been associated with the organization from 7.5 years till now. 

 "I wanted to reach out to let you know that I have decided to leave National Geographic at the end of May, having effectuated the transition of Nat Geo’s media and business entities into The Walt Disney Company, cementing the partnership with the Society toward future growth", Knell said in a LinkedIn post. 

"It has been a wonderful journey to reimagine this 133-year-old institution in new structural ways and help unleash the power of its storytelling with the largest media company in the world. With Disney at its back, the National Geographic Society is well positioned to further its mission-driven not-for-profit work with a newly energized purpose and direction".

Knell also revealed that he will be engaging in a number of new initiatives with an intention to harness his experiences in global media, education, technology and social impact to continue to help “make a difference.”

Before joining National Geographic Partners, he was associated with NPR as President & CEO where he oversaw the fiscal, operational, and journalistic integrity of NPR.

Knell was also associated with Children's Television Workshop from 1989-1996 as Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs and has spent 13 years working with Seasame as COO & CEO of the company. Prior to this he has also been a part of The WNET Group of New York Media for 7 years as Senior Vice President & General Counsel.