Meredith Shea has been named the first Chief Membership, Impact and Industry Officer of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the CEO of the Academy Bill Kramer announced Monday. Shea reports directly to Kramer.
In this newly created role, Shea will be tasked with bringing together the Academy teams that lead strategy and implementation for new member cultivation and attainment, pricing, rules and regulations management, member industry structural changes, members and industry, film festival and international strategies, talent development programs, and industry DEAI and sustainability efforts.
Shea most recently served as director of industry relations at ARRAY, Ava DuVernay‘s social impact collective dedicated to narrative change, where she oversaw ARRAY Crew, the workforce database designed to connect underrepresented crew members to studios below the line. Before that, however, she spent ten years at the Academy as a member and awards manager, overseeing the directors, film editors, short/feature animation, and writing departments, including managing the rules, submissions, and voices for the animated film. and international Oscar categories.
“We are thrilled to welcome Meredith back to the Academy in this leadership position,” Kramer said in a statement. “Her vast knowledge of the film industry and Academy membership, along with her commitment to building and nurturing a diverse and equitable global film community, make her a perfect professional for this new role. In addition, Meredith’s strategic insight will help the Academy as we approach our 100th anniversary.”
Shea added, “I have a deep connection with the Academy and its membership. This is a pivotal moment in the Academy’s history and it is both a joy and a huge responsibility to support our industry and lead initiatives that connect people and communities through film. I am incredibly grateful to Bill, Janet and the Academy Board for their insightful leadership and dedication to making positive change in the world for filmmakers, audiences and the industry. I look forward to working with the exceptionally talented staff and dedicated members of the Academy again to support the Academy’s mission.”
