The Hollywood Foreign Press Association today announced election results for a new, expanded Board and Credentials Committee, responsible for overseeing the ongoing reform plan to restructure the organization along the lines of accountability, ethics, and greater inclusion of the diversity of world journalism.

Today’s results come less than three weeks after HFPA membership approved a new set of bylaws codifying the reform measures. One of those measures requires the Board of Directors to include three outside non-members. This new Board will include 15 total directors – 12 active members and three non-members.

Members have elected the 12 internal directors. The Board will now select the three outside non-members.

“Our bylaw vote in early August was an important signal to the industry that we intend to keep our promises on reform,” said Ali Sar, President of the HFPA. “Today’s election results build this new, stronger governance structure for the HFPA. We are confident that with this new Board – and soon, a new President – accountability, diversity and inclusion will be at the heart of everything we do.”

All new board and committee members will undergo Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Leadership training for their respective roles. Later this week, HFPA members will vote for a new President of the organization directly from among the new Board members.

These are the new elected members of the Board and Credentials Committee:

Board of Directors:

Helen Hoehne

Gabriel Lerman (Has never served on Board)

Sabrina Joshi (Has never served on Board)

Yukiko Nakajima

Scott Orlin

Kirpi Uimonen

Henry Arnaud (Has never served on Board)

Barbara de Oliveira Pinto

Barbara Gasser (Has never served on Board)

Tina Johnk Christensen

Greet Ramaekers (Has never served on Board)

Armando Gallo

 

Credentials Committee:

Michele Manelis (Has never served on Board)

Barbaros Tapan (Has never served on Board)

Alessandra Venezia (Has never served on Board)

 

With the new Board in place, the extensive work begins immediately on selecting three non-member board directors, and five non-member credentials committee members, per the HFPA’s comprehensive reform plan announced in May. The HFPA also continues its work to employ a new Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Human Resource Officer, and Chief Diversity Officer.

In May, the 85-member HFPA announced a timeline that would overhaul the organization by creating five pillars of change: accountability, membership, inclusion, good governance/ethics, and transparency.

The new bylaws, drafted by Ropes & Gray, LLP passed with overwhelming support from the membership after extensive input from members, stakeholders, and outside groups. A summary of those changes follows below:

Membership:

• The Southern California residency requirement is now eliminated, with any qualified journalist living in the U.S. who works for a foreign publication now eligible to apply. 
• Eligibility is now expanded to journalists outside of the Motion Picture Association (MPA), and membership is now open to journalists who work in media beyond print.
• The sponsorship requirement is now eliminated, and the role of the credentials committee will include third parties from credible journalistic and other organizations focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• New members will immediately be allowed to vote on the Golden Globes, vote on board members, and serve on committees.
• Member accreditation has been revised so that under the new process, all current members will be required to meet the standards as incoming members for re-accreditation of their membership. This process will take place annually, and members may immediately begin submitting materials to the credentials committee.

 Ethics:

• A new grievance procedure will immediately go into effect to ensure accountability throughout the organization involving outside independent investigators. A new code of conduct will be signed by every member and subject to its provisions.
• Members will not be allowed to accept promotional materials or gifts from studios, publicists, actors, directors or others associated with motion pictures and television programs.  

Governance:

• The Board of Directors will now include 15 total directors – 12 active members and three who are non-members. Members will elect the 12 internal directors. The Board will then select the three outside non-members.
• The HFPA will employ a new Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Human Resource Officer, and Chief Diversity Officer.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

• The majority of the members have already completed their initial diversity, equity and inclusion training sessions. 
• Members will continue to participate in monthly DEI workshops as organized by DEI consultants, and complete mandatory sexual harassment training.
• All new board and committee members will undergo DEI and leadership training for their respective roles