The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has promoted Jeanell English to Executive Vice President of Impact and Inclusion, it was announced Monday by Academy CEO Bill Kramer, to whom English will directly report.
In this newly created position, English will lead the Academy’s initiatives designed to address underrepresentation across the industry and to discover, empower, and advance the work of emerging and diverse film artists. As part of this portfolio, English will oversee the Academy’s talent development programs, known as Academy Gold. These programs include the Gold Rising internship and mentorship program, Gold Fellowship for Women, the Student Academy Awards, the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting, and the Gold Alumni Program.
In addition, English will continue to oversee the Academy’s sustainability, representation, inclusion, and accessibility efforts. This includes the implementation of the Representation and Inclusion Standards, internal initiatives such as supplier diversity and employee resource groups, and ongoing carbon footprint assessments to inform business practices.
“Over the last two years, Jeanell has been an invaluable part of our evolving Academy team,” Kramer said in a statement. “Her commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion has driven progress across Academy departments, as have her contributions to creating a more sustainable and accessible institution. The Academy is deeply dedicated to elevating emerging and underrepresented voices across the film industry, and in this new role, Jeanell will bring her expertise and vision to this important work as well.”
English joined the Academy staff in 2020 and most recently held the position of Vice President of Impact and Operations. Prior to joining the Academy, English worked for more than a decade in the areas of global diversity and inclusion strategy, employee engagement, corporate social responsibility, cross-cultural training, and talent management. She also worked at Discovery, Inc. before the company merged with Warner Bros.
