The Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) has elected Lisa Takeuchi Cullen its new president. The unopposed candidate will take over for outgoing president Michael Winship, who announced his decision to not seek reelection of his longtime post over the summer.
In addition to electing Takeuchi Cullen president, as part of its 2023 council election, the WGA East has re-elected Christopher Kyle to secretary-treasurer; Erica Saleh has been elected vice president of the Film/Television/Streaming sector; Sofia Alvarez, Josh Gondelman, Liz Hynes, Greg Iwinski, Sarah Montana and Sasha Stewart were elected to serve on the Film/TV/Streaming members council. And Caitlin Cruz, Sie Morley and Samantha Smylie were elected to the Online Media members council.
Kyle, Gondelman, Hynes, Iwinski, Stewart and Cruz are all incumbents re-elected to their positions.
“I am honored to become the next President of the Writers Guild of America East,” Takeuchi Cullen said. “Even when we negotiate a fair deal with the Hollywood studios — and it is a when, not an if — I know the fight is not over. The fight continues for all of our members, TV and screenwriters as well as journalists and podcasters, to achieve compensation commensurate to the value of our important work. The fight continues for all workers to earn a life of dignity. The fight continues for all labor to put human rights over corporate profits. As the first person of color and third woman to lead our 69-year-old union, I will continue my career-long push for more equity and opportunities among all storytellers. That is, after all, what we are. Our stories matter. Our work matters. And I will fight like hell to make sure no one tells us otherwise.”
Per the WGA East, “Votes were cast by 13.3% of total eligible voters (7,166) for President and Secretary-Treasurer. In Film/TV/Streaming, votes were cast by 19.1% of eligible voters (4,183). In Online Media, votes were cast by 7.5% of eligible voters (2,012). In Broadcast/Cable/Streaming News, votes were cast by 8.03% of eligible voters (971).”
More to come…