Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jimmy Wales

How Jimmy Wales built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Jimmy Wales is an American Internet entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of Wikipedia, a free, collaborative online encyclopedia. Before Wikipedia, he worked as a financial trader and later founded Bomis, a web portal. He also initiated Nupedia, a free English-language encyclopedia whose articles were written by experts, before it transitioned into Wikipedia. Wales subsequently founded Fandom, a for-profit wiki hosting service. He has also been involved in projects like WikiTribune and Trust Café, aiming to combat fake news and promote online trust. His work has significantly impacted the accessibility and democratization of information on the internet.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2003: Founded Wikimedia Foundation

In mid-2003, Jimmy Wales established the Wikimedia Foundation (WMF) in St. Petersburg, Florida, later headquartered in San Francisco, California. The foundation's purpose was to support Wikipedia and its sister projects, with Wales serving as its official chairman from 2003 to 2006.

2004: Founded Wikia

In 2004, Jimmy Wales and Angela Beesley founded Wikia, a for-profit wiki farm hosting various wikis on different subjects.

June 5, 2006: Wales Stepped Down as Wikia CEO

On June 5, 2006, Jimmy Wales stepped down as CEO of Wikia and was replaced by Gil Penchina.

2006: Chairman Emeritus of Wikimedia Foundation

In 2006, Jimmy Wales was accorded the honorary title of chairman emeritus of the Wikimedia Foundation, after having served as its official chairman from 2003. Since 2006, he continues to hold the board-appointed "community founder's seat".

2008: Installed in community founder's seat

In 2008, Jimmy Wales was installed in the board-appointed "community founder's seat" of the Wikimedia Foundation.

March 2009: Wikia Search Project Abandoned

In March 2009, Wikia abandoned its Wikia Search project, an open source search engine intended to challenge Google.

September 2009: Wikia Reached Profitability

In September 2009, Wikia was declared to have reached profitability.

2009: Wikia Search Closed

In 2009, Wikia Search, an open source search engine created by Wikia to challenge Google, was shut down.

November 4, 2011: Delivered Address at The Sage Gateshead

On November 4, 2011, Jimmy Wales delivered an hour-long address at The Sage Gateshead in the United Kingdom, launching the 2011 Free Thinking Festival on BBC Radio Three, focusing on the future of the Internet and Wikipedia.

May 2012: Advising UK Government on Academic Research Availability

In May 2012, it was reported that Jimmy Wales was advising the UK government on making taxpayer-funded academic research available online at no cost, acting as an unpaid advisor on crowdsourcing and opening up policymaking.

January 2014: Joined The People's Operator as Co-Chair

In January 2014, it was announced that Jimmy Wales had joined The People's Operator as co-chair of the mobile phone network.

March 21, 2014: Spoke at Clinton Global Initiative University Conference

On March 21, 2014, Jimmy Wales participated in a panel discussion at a Clinton Global Initiative University conference held at Arizona State University, emphasizing the role of social media in societal change.

May 26, 2014: Appointed to Google's Privacy Committee

On May 26, 2014, Google appointed Jimmy Wales to serve on a seven-member committee on privacy following the Google v. Gonzalez case, to advise lawmakers and Google on handling website removal requests.

May 28, 2014: Wales Contacted by Google About Privacy Committee

On May 28, 2014, Jimmy Wales was contacted by Google to join an advisory committee that would hold public hearings and issue recommendations not only to Google, but also to legislators and the public, in response to the ECJ's "right to be forgotten" ruling.

June 2014: Interviewed by TechCrunch on Google Privacy Committee

In early June 2014, Jimmy Wales was interviewed by TechCrunch about his role in Google's advisory committee on privacy, formed in response to the ECJ's ruling.

2016: CEO of Jimmy Wales Foundation for Freedom of Expression

In 2016, Orit Kopel became the CEO of the Jimmy Wales Foundation for Freedom of Expression, a UK-based charity established to fight human rights violations related to freedom of expression.

2017: Launched WikiTribune

In 2017, Jimmy Wales announced the launch of WikiTribune, an online publication aimed at combating fake news through collaborative efforts between professional and citizen journalists.

October 2019: Launched WT Social

In October 2019, Jimmy Wales launched WT Social, an ad-free social network.

2020: Wales on his role

In 2020, Jimmy Wales compared his role to that of a modern monarch of the UK, noting he has no real power, but has the right to be consulted, encourage, and warn.