Gary E. Knell

Director/Board Member at

AARP Services, Inc.

72 year

66 connections

Consumer Services

Commercial Services

Retail Trade

Profile

Gary E.
Knell is currently the Chairman of the National Geographic Society Education Foundation, Director of The Economic Club of Washington, Director of AARP Services, Inc., Director of American Public Television, Director of Business for Diplomatic Action, Inc., Director of Common Sense Media, Inc., Director of National Geographic Channel, Director of PBS Kids Sprout, Independent Director of Seven Islands, Inc., Member of Council on Foreign Relations, Inc., and Trustee of Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
He was formerly the Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer of The National Geographic Society, Inc., President & Chief Executive Officer of Sesame Workshop, President, Chief Executive Officer & Director of National Public Radio, Inc., Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of National Geographic Partners LLC, and Independent Director of Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. He also served as President & Managing Director of Manager Media International and Senior Vice President & General Counsel of WNET.
Knell received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles and his graduate degree from Loyola University of Chicago.

Gary E. Knell active positions

Companies	Position	Start
AARP Services, Inc. AARP Services, Inc. Miscellaneous Commercial ServicesCommercial Services Operates membership social welfare organizations	Director/Board Member	-
American Public Television American Public Television BroadcastingConsumer Services Provides television broadcasting services	Director/Board Member	-
Business for Diplomatic Action, Inc. Business for Diplomatic Action, Inc. Miscellaneous Commercial ServicesCommercial Services Engages in promoting of public awareness	Director/Board Member	-
Common Sense Media, Inc. Common Sense Media, Inc. Miscellaneous Commercial ServicesCommercial Services Provides ratings and reviews of media and entertainment based on child development	Director/Board Member	-
PBS Kids Sprout PBS Kids Sprout Movies/EntertainmentConsumer Services Operates as children's entertainment television producer	Director/Board Member	-
Council on Foreign Relations, Inc. Council on Foreign Relations, Inc. Investment Trusts/Mutual FundsMiscellaneous Functions as a foundation or endowment	Corporate Officer/Principal	-
National Geographic Channel National Geographic Channel BroadcastingConsumer Services Provides television broadcasting services	Director/Board Member	-
The Economic Club of Washington The Economic Club of Washington Miscellaneous Commercial ServicesCommercial Services Operates forum for distinguished global leaders to share the insights about major issues	Director/Board Member	-
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Other Consumer ServicesConsumer Services Operates as a museum	Director/Board Member	-
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All active positions of Gary E. Knell

Former positions of Gary E. Knell

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See the detail of Gary E. Knell's experience

Training of Gary E. Knell

Experiences
Positions held

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Inactive

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Private companies

See the detail of Gary E. Knell's experience

Connections

1st degree connections

1st degree companies

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Members of the board

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See the personal network

Linked companies

Private companies	23
Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. Personnel ServicesCommercial Services Provides executive search and leadership advisory services	Commercial Services
The National Geographic Society, Inc. The National Geographic Society, Inc. Miscellaneous Commercial ServicesCommercial Services Operates as a non-profit scientific and educational institution	Commercial Services
Sesame Workshop Sesame Workshop Miscellaneous Commercial ServicesCommercial Services Develops educational content for television, radio, and magazines	Commercial Services
University of California, Los Angeles University of California, Los Angeles Other Consumer ServicesConsumer Services Functions as a College/University	Consumer Services
Loyola University of Chicago Loyola University of Chicago Other Consumer ServicesConsumer Services Functions as a College/University	Consumer Services
National Public Radio, Inc. National Public Radio, Inc. Specialty StoresRetail Trade Produces and distributes noncommercial news and entertainment programes	Retail Trade
Council on Foreign Relations, Inc. Council on Foreign Relations, Inc. Investment Trusts/Mutual FundsMiscellaneous Functions as a foundation or endowment	Miscellaneous
Save The Children Federation Inc. Save The Children Federation Inc. Services to the Health IndustryHealth Services Operates as a nonprofit children's relief and development organization	Health Services
WNET/Channel 13 WNET/Channel 13 BroadcastingConsumer Services Provides television broadcasting services	Consumer Services
The Economic Club of Washington The Economic Club of Washington Miscellaneous Commercial ServicesCommercial Services Operates forum for distinguished global leaders to share the insights about major issues	Commercial Services
Jacob Burns Film Center, Inc. Jacob Burns Film Center, Inc. Movies/EntertainmentConsumer Services Operates as a movie theatre	Consumer Services
National Geographic Society Education Foundation National Geographic Society Education Foundation Miscellaneous Commercial ServicesCommercial Services Operates as a non-profit scientific and educational institution	Commercial Services
Manager Media International
AARP Services, Inc. AARP Services, Inc. Miscellaneous Commercial ServicesCommercial Services Operates membership social welfare organizations	Commercial Services
American Public Television American Public Television BroadcastingConsumer Services Provides television broadcasting services	Consumer Services
Business for Diplomatic Action, Inc. Business for Diplomatic Action, Inc. Miscellaneous Commercial ServicesCommercial Services Engages in promoting of public awareness	Commercial Services
Common Sense Media, Inc. Common Sense Media, Inc. Miscellaneous Commercial ServicesCommercial Services Provides ratings and reviews of media and entertainment based on child development	Commercial Services
National Geographic Channel National Geographic Channel BroadcastingConsumer Services Provides television broadcasting services	Consumer Services
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Other Consumer ServicesConsumer Services Operates as a museum	Consumer Services
U.S. Global Leadership Coalition U.S. Global Leadership Coalition The non-profit company is based in Washington, DC. The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition is a broad, bipartisan network of over 500 organizations—including businesses, NGOs, faith groups, military veterans, and national security experts—dedicated to strengthening U.S. leadership through strategic investments in development and diplomacy alongside defense. The coalition advocates for robust funding of the international affairs budget, emphasizing that civilian tools such as diplomacy and development are essential complements to military power in addressing complex challenges like terrorism, pandemics, fragile states, and foreign adversaries. The coalition highlights that these investments enhance national security, economic prosperity, and humanitarian leadership by preventing conflicts, supporting global health, expanding markets for American businesses, and promoting the rule of law. USGLC operates nationwide with state advisory committees and offers resources, advocacy opportunities, and events to engage policymakers, community leaders, and the public. Its leadership includes former cabinet officials, secretaries of state and defense, and retired military officers, supporting an approach that integrates diplomacy, development, and defense. The company was founded in 1995.
PBS Kids Sprout PBS Kids Sprout Movies/EntertainmentConsumer Services Operates as children's entertainment television producer	Consumer Services
National Geographic Partners LLC National Geographic Partners LLC BroadcastingConsumer Services Operates television channels	Consumer Services
Seven Islands, Inc. Seven Islands, Inc. Financial ConglomeratesFinance Operates as a blank check company	Finance