Lynette Howell Taylor has officially been elected President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, succeeding Janet Yang, who held the role since 2022. The election took place on Thursday during a meeting of the Academy’s Board of Governors.
Alongside Howell Taylor’s appointment, the Academy also revealed the slate of officers for the 2025–2026 term:
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Lesley Barber (Music Branch), Vice President and Chair of the Membership Committee
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Jennifer Fox (Producers Branch), Vice President and Chair of the Awards Committee
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Simon Kilmurry (Documentary Branch), Vice President/Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee
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Lou Diamond Phillips (Actors Branch), Vice President and Chair of the Equity and Inclusion Committee
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Howard A. Rodman (Writers Branch), Vice President/Secretary and Chair of the Governance Committee
Academy CEO Bill Kramer praised the leadership transition, stating:
“Lynette has been a vital part of the Board of Governors for many years, recently revitalizing our awards work as Chair of the Awards Committee. I look forward to collaborating with her and this exceptional team of board officers to advance the Academy’s mission, support our global membership, and strengthen our financial and strategic goals.”
Who Is Lynette Howell Taylor? 5 Things to Know
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New President, Veteran Governor: Howell Taylor begins her first term as Academy President during her second term as a Governor representing the Producers Branch. She previously served three years as Vice President and Chair of the Awards Committee.
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Longtime Member: She has been a member of the Academy since 2014 and has produced over 25 films across her two-decade career.
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Award-Winning Producer: Howell Taylor earned nominations from the Oscars, BAFTA, Producers Guild, and Gold Derby Awards for producing the acclaimed A Star Is Born (2018), directed by Bradley Cooper. The film received a Best Picture nomination, and she reflected,
“I hope he recognizes how many lives and careers he’s changed because of this movie.”
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Impressive Filmography: Her production credits include The Accountant (1 & 2), Captain Fantastic, Big Eyes, The Place Beyond the Pines, Blue Valentine, Half Nelson, and the upcoming Roofman.
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Producer of the 2020 Oscars: Howell Taylor was Emmy-nominated for producing the 2020 Oscars (alongside Stephanie Allain). That memorable ceremony ended with Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite winning Best Picture, and included Eminem’s surprise performance of “Lose Yourself.” She recalled,
“I literally can’t believe we kept it a secret.”
According to Academy governance rules, board members may serve up to two three-year terms (consecutive or not), followed by a two-year break, then up to two additional terms, for a maximum of 12 years. Officers serve one-year terms, with a limit of four consecutive years in any one position.
The Board of Governors plays a crucial role in shaping the Academy’s strategic direction, ensuring financial health, and maintaining its global mission to celebrate excellence in film.
