WGAE 2024 council election results: A new era of leadership
The Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) has announced the results of its 2024 council election, ushering in a fresh wave of leadership with 13 newly elected members. This election marks a significant moment for the guild, reflecting the evolving landscape of the entertainment and media industries.
A diverse council for a dynamic industry
The WGAE council is composed of 20 members, representing various sectors within the industry. These include 12 film/TV/streaming members, five online media members, three broadcast/cable/streaming news members, and five officers. The officers include the president, secretary-treasurer, and three vice presidents, each representing one of the work sectors. This year’s election saw open positions for the online media vice president, broadcast/cable/streaming news vice president, six film/TV/streaming positions, two online media positions, and three broadcast/cable/streaming news positions.
New leaders for a new era
Online media sector
Sara David has been elected as the vice president of the online media sector. Her election is a testament to the growing influence and importance of digital media in today’s world.
Broadcast/cable/streaming news sector
Beth Godvik takes on the role of vice president for the broadcast/cable/streaming news sector, bringing her extensive experience and vision to the council.
Film/TV/streaming sector
The film/TV/streaming sector welcomes Monica Lee Bellais, Larry J Cohen, Don P. Hooper, Victoria Pollack, Celine Robinson, and Suzanne Weber as new council members. Their diverse backgrounds and expertise promise to bring fresh perspectives to the guild.
Online media representatives
Susan Rinkunas and Jessica Schulberg have been elected to represent the online media members. Their roles are crucial in ensuring that the voices of digital content creators are heard and valued.
Broadcast/cable/streaming news representatives
Justin DiLauro, Gail Lee, and Phil Pilato will represent the broadcast/cable/streaming news members, advocating for the interests and rights of professionals in this sector.
Continuing leadership
Several council members are continuing their terms, including President Lisa Takeuchi Cullen and Secretary-Treasurer Christopher Kyle. Film/television/streaming representatives Sofia Alvarez, Josh Gondelman, Liz Hynes, Greg Iwinski, Sarah Montana, and Sasha Stewart, along with online media sector members Caitlin Cruz, Sie Morley, and Samantha Smylie, will also continue to serve.
Voter participation and election process
The election saw varying levels of voter participation across different sectors. Among film/TV/streaming members, 14.23% of eligible voters (4,251) cast their votes. The online media sector had a participation rate of 6.3% (2,176), while the broadcast/cable/streaming news sector saw 11.07% of eligible voters (1,228) casting their ballots. The ballot count for the WGAE council election was supervised by eBallot, ensuring a fair and transparent process.
Reflections on the future
The election results reflect a dynamic shift in the WGAE’s leadership, with new voices and perspectives set to shape the future of the guild. As the entertainment and media industries continue to evolve, the WGAE’s diverse council is well-positioned to address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
For cinema and TV series enthusiasts, the election of new council members from the film/TV/streaming sector is particularly exciting. These leaders will play a crucial role in advocating for the rights and interests of writers in an industry that is constantly changing. Whether it’s negotiating fair contracts, addressing issues of diversity and inclusion, or navigating the impact of new technologies, the WGAE’s new council members have a significant task ahead of them.
For those passionate about music, the election of representatives for the online media and broadcast/cable/streaming news sectors is equally important. These leaders will ensure that the voices of digital content creators and news professionals are heard, advocating for fair treatment and opportunities in an increasingly digital world.
In this new era of leadership, the WGAE is poised to continue its mission of supporting and advocating for writers across all sectors of the entertainment and media industries. The newly elected council members bring a wealth of experience, passion, and vision to the guild, promising a bright future for all its members.
For more information on the WGAE and its new council members, visit the official WGAE website.