February 22, 2021
Los Angeles – Directors Guild of America (DGA) President Thomas Schlamme today announced that the DGA extended National Executive Director Russell Hollander’s contract through 2026.
“Since stepping into the role of National Executive Director in 2017, Russ has been a rock for our members when we most needed him,” said Schlamme. “As our chief negotiator, Russ led the way in our incredibly complex 2020 contract talks, achieving significant streaming and pension gains, and setting the pattern for the industry. Soon after, our world was engulfed in the pandemic – and Russ worked tirelessly with our National Board Covid-19 committee to marshal top medical experts and our sister unions in the development of strict, science-based protocols that could protect everyone on set, and succeed in joint-union negotiations with employers for a safe return to work. Throughout these transformative times, he has shepherded us through with his compassion, intellect, and strength – and under his leadership we have the confidence that we are protected in the present and prepared for the future.”
As National Executive Director of the DGA, Hollander oversees the Guild’s work protecting and extending the creative and economic rights of its more than 18,000 members working in the U.S. and around the world. He serves as the DGA’s chief negotiator in all of its labor negotiations, and oversees the DGA’s activities and operations, directing a staff of 175. Hollander also develops the Guild’s policy and strategic agenda, working with the elected President and Board of Directors, and serves as a Trustee for the DGA-Producer Pension and Health Plans.
“I’m honored by the DGA’s confidence in my service to the membership,” said Hollander. “The beauty of our Guild is our defining, singular mission to advance the creative and economic rights of our members – and the secret to our longstanding success is the strong partnership between our elected leaders and our professional staff to fulfill that purpose.”
Prior to his current role as National Executive Director, Hollander headed the DGA’s New York office where he served as the DGA’s chief negotiator in six Network Negotiations with ABC, CBS, and NBC; and four Commercial Negotiations with the Association of Independent Commercial Producers.
Hollander’s 20-year tenure at the DGA began in 2001 as Assistant Eastern Executive Director. He was promoted to Eastern Executive Director in 2002, and in 2011 to Eastern Executive Director/Associate National Executive Director. Prior to joining the DGA, he was a partner at top labor law firm Cohen, Weiss and Simon LLP where he specialized in the representation of labor organizations and employee benefit plans. During that time, he also worked to strengthen the rights of unions. Hollander received his law degree from Harvard University and his undergraduate degree from Cornell University.
About the Directors Guild of America
In the 85 years since its founding in 1936, the Directors Guild of America (DGA) has fought for the economic and creative rights of its members; protected their ability to financially benefit from the reuse of their work; established strong pension and health plans; and established jurisdiction in new technologies and distribution platforms. Today the DGA represents over 18,000 Directors and members of the directorial team working in film, television, commercials, new media and other audiovisual media.