Jeffrey D. Dunn has been appointed as the new president and chief executive officer of Sesame Workshop.

Dunn, formerly president and chief executive officer of HIT Entertainment, will succeed Mel Ming, who announced his retirement earlier this year.

Dunn will lead the non-profit educational organization in its mission "to use the educational power of media to help all children reach their highest potential."

He currently serves as a 2014 Advanced Leadership Initiative Fellow at Harvard University with a focus on media and education. Before joining HIT, Dunn served as group chief operating officer of the Nickelodeon Networks group and president of Nickelodeon Film and Enterprises, where, among other things, he built Nickelodeon’s international networks business and oversaw the growth of "Blue’s Clues," "SpongeBob SquarePants" and "Dora the Explorer" into three of the world’s largest licensed property brands. Dunn recently served on the board of American Greetings and preschool network Sprout.

“Jeff Dunn has an outstanding track record in the world of children’s media,” says Vincent A. Mai, chairman of the board of trustees, Sesame Workshop. “At HIT Entertainment, Jeff led the company’s resurgence and successful turn-around before it was sold to Mattel in 2012. And under his leadership, Nickelodeon became one of the industry’s most global networks, largest licensing businesses, as well as the world’s largest digital media business for kids. His current experience at Harvard is a testament to his commitment to the educational power of media and we look forward to the Workshop thriving under his creative, inspired leadership.”