September 21, 2023
On September 20, DGA National Executive Director Russell Hollander announced the promotion of three senior staff executives, Neil Dudich, Sahar Moridani and Rebecca Rhine, who will take the title of Associate National Executive Director, with each responsible for different areas related to representation, service and management of the Guild.
The organizational changes are intended to enhance the DGA’s operations and ability to serve its membership by providing greater clarity about responsibilities for the Guild’s core functions while also more clearly defining the role of the National Office and the regional offices.
“As the Guild continues to expand to meet the evolving needs of our members, I am pleased to announce today’s promotions and offer my sincerest congratulations to Neil, Sahar and Rebecca. As the entertainment industry continues to shift and change, it is crucial that the DGA evolves to best protect, empower, and provide for our members,” said Hollander. “I am confident these exceptionally talented and experienced executives will help guide our Guild into the future.”
Neil Dudich’s full title will be Associate National Executive Director/Eastern Executive Director. Dudich will have national responsibility for administration and enforcement of the Freelance Live and Tape Television Agreement; the National Commercial Agreement; and the DGA’s Network Agreements. He will also continue to supervise the staff in the Guild’s New York Office and oversee the activities of the Guild’s Councils, Committees, Field Representation, local government affairs and events in the Eastern Region. He will also be taking on additional responsibilities related to the Guild’s international work.
Dudich began his tenure at the DGA in 2007 as an Assistant Executive Director in the New York Office. He was promoted to Associate Eastern Executive Director in 2014 and Eastern Executive Director in 2016. He has been the Chief Negotiator for the Guild’s successful Network Negotiations in 2020 and 2023 and the DGA’s Commercial Agreements in 2020 and 2021 as well as the commercial industry’s Labor Management Covid-19 Safety Protocols.
Dudich came to the DGA from the New York State United Teachers, where he served as inhouse counsel specializing in the representation of professionals on a wide range of labor and employment matters. He received his B.A. from Boston University, his J.D. from St. John’s University, and his MBA from New York University.
Sahar Moridani’s new title will be Associate National Executive Director. Moridani will continue to have national responsibility for the strategic oversight and management of the Guild’s Residuals administration and enforcement activities which result in $500 million in Residuals being distributed to DGA members annually. In addition, she will now oversee the Guild’s Human Resources Department and the staffing of more than 200 employees in New York and Los Angeles.
Moridani began her tenure at the DGA in 2007 as part of the Communications Department and was promoted in 2012 to Assistant Executive Director and in 2015 to Associate Executive Director, overseeing multiple departments over the last eight years.
Prior to her employment with the Guild, Moridani held a series of senior communications roles across the public and nonprofit sectors. She was previously the press deputy for the Mayor of Los Angeles and director of communications for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. In Washington, D.C., Moridani served as special assistant to the U.S. State Department spokesman, managing the traveling press corps and coordinating international media events for the Secretary of State. She received her master’s degree from the School of Global Policy and Strategy at UCSD and her bachelor’s degree in political science and Latin American studies from UCLA.
Rebecca Rhine’s full title will be Associate National Executive Director/Western Executive Director. In her new capacity, she will have national responsibility for the Guild’s Contracts Department, Member Education and Outreach, Safety and Talent Agency Relations. She will also have oversight over the DGA’s Diversity, Documentaries and local government affairs. She will continue to supervise the staff and oversee the activities of the Guild’s Councils, Committees, Field Representation and events in the Western Region. She will also have significant responsibility for the negotiation and enforcement of the Guild’s dramatic agreements including the Basic Agreement and Low Budget Agreements.
Rhine joined the Guild Staff as Western Executive Director in October 2022. The granddaughter of union organizers, she most recently served for seven years as the National Executive Director of the 10,000 member International Cinematographers Guild, IATSE Local 600. During her tenure, in addition to negotiating and enforcing Local 600 contracts, she expanded the Local’s focus on safety, communications and legislation. She served as an MPIPHP Director and a member of the LA County Labor Federation’s Executive Board.
Prior to Local 600, Rhine served as Executive Director of the Municipal Executives Association in San Francisco; Northern Area Director of SEIU Local 1000; Assistant National Executive Director of AFTRA for Public Policy and Strategic Planning; Executive Director of AFT University Council (UCAFT); and Executive Director of the AFTRA/SAG Local in San Francisco. Rhine is a double graduate of Golden Gate University with a MS in Human Resources Management and a BA in Administration of Justice.
All three Associate National Executive Directors will continue to report directly to the National Executive Director, along with other executive staff overseeing the Legal, Finance, Communications, Government Affairs, Research, Special Projects, Membership and Dues Departments.