Wikimedia Foundation director resigns after uproar over “Knowledge Engine” | Ars Technica

(credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lila_Tretikov_April_2014_(5)_crop.jpg#/media/File:Lila_Tretikov_April_2014_(5).jpg)

The head of the Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit that runs Wikipedia and related websites, has unexpectedly resigned. Lila Tretikov said Thursday in a statement that "with great respect", she has tendered her resignation as executive director of the Wikimedia Foundation. "The Board tasked me with making changes to serve the next generation and ensure our impact in the future," Tretikov wrote. "Driving these changes has been challenging, and I have always appreciated the open and honest discourse we have had along the way."

Tretikov's resignation comes at a time of unprecedented tension between the community of editors and the Board of Trustees that runs the Wikimedia Foundation. Last month, a newly appointed board member stepped down after hundreds of editors signed a "vote of no confidence."

Following that, a second uproar arose over a $250,000 grant from the Knight Foundation to help Wikimedia Foundation create a "knowledge engine" that would improve search. Some activist Wikipedia editors had been asking to see documentation about the Knight Foundation grant for several months, but Wikimedia was not forthcoming with the details.