The Producers Guild of America (PGA) has promoted Susan Sprung to the role of national executive director and chief operating officer. She will join Vance Van Petten in co-leading the expansion, reach, vision and operations of the organization and key programs. Major initiatives include the Producers Mark, diversity and green production initiatives, the annual PGA Awards and the biannual Produced By Conference as well as the Foundation’s Independent Production Safety Initiative which received a grant from CBS last fall to combat sexual harassment on independent film, television, and digital productions. Sprung has served as associate national executive director since 2012 and COO since 2016.
Sprung described the promotion as “a tremendous honor,” noting, “This is a period of growth for the PGA as our industry confronts dramatic changes and welcomes exciting opportunities. I look forward to supporting our members and our organization in my new role.”
Previously, Sprung served as special counsel at the law firm of O’Melveny and Myers in Los Angeles. Prior to that, she was corporate counsel at Trizec Hahn in Los Angeles and an associate at Barrett Smith Shapiro Simon and Armstrong in New York. Sprung is a commissioner on the Anita Hill Commission on Sexual Harassment and Advancing Equality in the Workplace. Additionally, she sits on the California Film & television Production Alliance and is a member of the Western Council of the Actors Fund. Sprung chaired the Board of Directors of the I Have a Dream Foundation-LA for five years. She is a magna cum laude graduate of the State University of New York at Albany and from Boston University School of Law.
In a joint statement, PGA presidents Lucy Fisher and Gail Berman shared, “Susan is a brilliant, strategic and dynamic leader in the entertainment industry, and we are very fortunate to have her at the PGA. We are incredibly lucky to have two executive directors who have a clear vision for moving the organization forward during a time of incredible growth at the PGA.”
“Susan has been an incredible force at the PGA, contributing tirelessly to the positive growth and expansion of our Guild,” said PGA executive director Van Petten. “She has been the driving force behind the Guild’s groundbreaking Independent Production Safety Initiative that will bring anti-sexual harassment practices to productions across the country.”
The Producers Guild of America is the non-profit trade group that represents, protects and promotes the interests of all members of the producing team in film, television and new media. The Producers Guild has more than 8,500 members who work together to protect and improve their careers, the industry and community by providing members with employment opportunities, seeking to expand health benefits, promoting fair and impartial standards for the awarding of producing credits, as well as other education and advocacy efforts such as encouraging sustainable production practices.
