Hi all,
Over the past five years, I’ve been honored to serve as the General Counsel and Secretary of the Wikimedia Foundation. This job has been amazing, and I’m grateful to everyone who has made it so rewarding. It's now time for my next step, so, in the coming days, I will be leaving the Foundation to pursue a new career opportunity.
I depart with such love for the mission, the Foundation, the Wikimedia communities, and my colleagues at work. I thank my past and present bosses as well as the Board for their support and guidance. I stand in awe of the volunteer writers, editors, and photographers who contribute every day to the Wikimedia projects. And I will hold special to my heart my past and current teams, including legal and community advocacy. :) You have taught, given, and enriched me so much.
After my departure, Michelle Paulson will serve as interim head of Legal, and, subject to Board approval, Stephen LaPorte will serve as interim Secretary to the Board. I can happily report that they have the experience and expertise to ensure a smooth and professional transition.
The future of the Foundation under Katherine's leadership is exciting. Having had the pleasure of working for her, I know Katherine will take the Foundation to its next level in promoting and defending the outstanding mission and values of the Wikimedia movement. Although I'm delighted about my next opportunity, I will miss this new chapter in the Foundation's story.
My last day at the Foundation will be July 18th. After that, I will take a month off to recharge my batteries, and then I start my new gig at YouTube in the Bay Area. There, I will serve as Director of YouTube Trust & Safety, managing global teams for policy, legal, and anti-abuse operations. As with Wikimedia, I look forward to learning from those teams and tackling together a new set of exciting, novel challenges.
For those who want to stay in touch, please do! My personal email is: geoffrey.r.brigham@gmail.com.
With respect, admiration, and gratitude,
Geoff