Los Angeles – Directors Guild of America (DGA) President Christopher Nolan today announced that the DGA has extended National Executive Director Russell Hollander’s contract through the end of 2029.
“For nearly a decade as our National Executive Director, Russ has been a steward for the Guild and its members, seeing us through a period of tremendous upheaval in our industry.” said Nolan. “From the pandemic to the strikes and the global contraction in production, Russ has always prioritized and protected the interests of our members, working closely with me, past Guild Presidents, and our National Board. We are grateful for his continued service to our community.”
Hollander has served as the DGA’s National Executive Director since 2017 and oversees the Guild’s work protecting and extending the economic and creative rights of its more than 19,500 members. He also acts as the Guild’s chief negotiator, is responsible for setting the Guild’s priorities, policies, and strategic agenda, and works with the elected President and Board of Directors. Hollander served as the Guild’s chief negotiator in the 2020 and 2023 negotiations with the major studios and led the industry’s return to work negotiations with the studios following COVID-19 work stoppages. He is Chair and a Trustee for the DGA-Producer Pension and Health Plans.
“I’m honored by the Board’s continued confidence in my service to the membership, especially during times of incredible change.” 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. At a time when the rights of workers need strong champions, it is a privilege to dedicate myself to that purpose and to the members we serve.”
Hollander came to the DGA in 2001 as Assistant Executive Director, was promoted to Eastern Executive Director in 2002, Associate National Executive Director/Eastern Executive Director in 2011. Prior to joining the DGA, he was a partner at the labor law firm Cohen, Weiss, and Simon LLP where he specialized in the representation of labor organizations and employee benefit plans.
Hollander received his law degree from Harvard University and his undergraduate degree from Cornell University.
About the Directors Guild of America
Since its founding in 1936, the Directors Guild of America 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 and durable pension and health plans; and established jurisdiction in new technologies and distribution platforms. Today we represent more than 19,500 Directors and members of the directorial team working in film, television, commercials, news, sports, and documentary.
