Directors Guild of America national executive director Jay Roth announced that Mariam Manichaikul has joined the guild’s executive staff as assistant executive director, local stations. She will be based in the guild’s New York offices.
In the newly-created position, Manichaikul will be involved in the negotiation, administration and enforcement of the guild’s agreements with local television stations nationwide. The agreements predominantly cover DGA members working on local news, sports and related programs.
“DGA members who work at local stations have different needs and concerns than those who work on features and dramatic television programs,” said Roth. “With the addition of Mariam to our executive staff, we are strengthening and deepening our expertise and specialization so that our members working in local news and sports continue to receive the excellent representation they deserve.”
“We’re so pleased to welcome Mariam to our team,” said Russell Hollander, associate national executive director/eastern executive director. “Mariam’s extensive experience in labor relations and specific focus on local stations will be a tremendous benefit to our members who work in news and sports.”
Prior to joining the DGA, Manichaikul worked as a senior staff attorney at the Transport Workers Union, Local 100, where she represented and advised the union and its members in legal matters and negotiated and enforced contracts. She also taught a course on public sector labor law at CUNY Murphy Institute/Cornell University ILR School. Previously, Manichaikul worked as an attorney advisor at the U.S. Department of Labor and then served for several years as a trial examiner at the New York City Office of Collective Bargaining. Prior to starting law school, Manichaikul interned at CBS News and worked at CNN America. Manichaikul received her bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College and her J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law.
