‘Operation Big Bird’: How CEO saved lives of ‘Sesame Street’ team in Afghanistan after Taliban seized control of wartorn nation

Article excerpt

Sesame Street CEO Sherrie Westin orchestrated a daring evacuation of her team from Afghanistan after the Taliban's takeover, earning the operation the code name "Operation Big Bird." Westin, who leads the nonprofit behind the beloved children's program, mobilized resources to extract her staff from the war-torn nation as the U.S. military withdrawal unfolded. The effort showcases how a corporate leader leveraged her position and networks to protect her employees during a geopolitical crisis that left thousands stranded. The operation underscores both the human stakes of the Taliban's return to power and the logistical challenges facing American organizations with international operations.