Today, Public Knowledge is announcing that Chris Lewis, President and CEO of Public Knowledge, will embark on a 12 week sabbatical leave from March 10 – June 1. All Public Knowledge staff may request a paid sabbatical for up to 12 weeks after completing at least seven years of employment with the organization. All staff are expected to continue working for Public Knowledge for at least a year following a sabbatical, per organizational policy. During Chris’s absence, the Public Knowledge Board of Directors has appointed Public Knowledge’s Chief of Staff, Meredith Whipple, as Interim CEO.
The following can be attributed to Virginia Lam Abrams, Board Chair at Public Knowledge:
“We’re thrilled that Chris is finally choosing to take his well-earned sabbatical break. The sabbatical policy was put in place to provide long-serving Public Knowledge staff an opportunity to take a break and come back to the organization, recharged, refreshed, and ready to continue Public Knowledge’s important policy and advocacy work. This is a well-deserved break for Chris, who chose to delay taking his sabbatical to ensure leadership continuity post-COVID. The Board is grateful for Chris’s outstanding leadership and looks forward to working more closely with Interim CEO Meredith Whipple during his sabbatical period.”
The following can be attributed to Chris Lewis, President and CEO of Public Knowledge:
“Public Knowledge has a long-standing sabbatical policy and I am grateful to the Public Knowledge Board for approving this extended leave. I’m looking forward to a restful time away and returning to Public Knowledge in June, refreshed and ready to continue the fight for digital rights in the public interest.
“Since well before the Board officially approved my sabbatical, I have been preparing with the senior leaders at Public Knowledge to ensure that work continues seamlessly. I have great confidence in Meredith Whipple to serve in the role of Interim CEO during my absence. Her many years of experience and organizational leadership, and her dedication to a healthy and effective work environment, makes her the ideal person to manage the organization in my absence. I also have great faith in the talents of the many experts and advocates at Public Knowledge. I have no doubt they will continue to advance our priorities in the tradition and style that Public Knowledge is known for.”
Members of the media may contact Communications Director Shiva Stella with inquiries, interview requests, or to join the Public Knowledge press list at shiva@publicknowledge.org or 405-249-9435.