ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPOINTMENTS AND LEADERSHIP ADDITIONS NATIONWIDE
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE
ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND
ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPOINTMENTS
AND
LEADERSHIP ADDITIONS
NATIONWIDE
ANNETTE BENING IS RE-ELECTED AS BOARD CHAIR;
CHRIS KEYSER NAMED VICE CHAIR
New York, NY (June 29, 2026) — The Entertainment Community Fund, formerly The Actors Fund, today announced four new Board members, including one returning member, as well as new appointments to its Western Council and the Actors Fund Home Board of Trustees. Founded in 1882, the Entertainment Community Fund provides support and resources tailored to the specific needs of performing arts and entertainment professionals.
Annette Bening was re-elected as Chair of the Board; she will be joined by a new Vice Chair, Chris Keyser, a longtime member of the Board. “We are proud to welcome this exceptional group of professionals to our Board of Trustees,” said Bening. “Each individual brings deep roots in the entertainment industry and a genuine understanding of what it means to build a life in the arts. Their leadership will be invaluable as we continue to grow our services and deepen our commitment to the entertainment community. I am also thrilled to work even more closely alongside Chris, whose years of dedication to the Fund make him a remarkable partner in his role as Vice Chair.”
Newly elected to the Board of Trustees are Alex Elmaleh, Michael Miller and Michele Mulroney. Kenny Leon rejoins the Board.
The Actors Fund Home, a short-term rehabilitation and long-term care facility for entertainment industry workers, was recently classified as a 501(c)(3) affiliate of the Entertainment Community Fund. The Home welcomes two new Home Board members: Courtney McCormick, Senior Vice President of PSEG, and Tahesha Way, Former Lt. Governor and Secretary of State of New Jersey.
The Western Council, which works to increase financial support and develop fundraising efforts in the Western Region, welcomes five new members: Tripper Clancy, WGA Award-winning film and television screenwriter, producer and creator; Shean England, founder of EMRLD Media, an artist management and media strategy company; Siedah Garrett, Grammy-winning songwriter, producer and two-time Academy Award Nominee; Dawnn Lewis, Emmy-winning actor, singer, producer, philanthropist and voice artist; and Erik Nuri, veteran music industry executive, manager, producer and songwriter.
For a full listing of the Board, councils and committees of the Entertainment Community Fund, visit entertainmentcommunity.org/leadership.
For headshots of the new Fund Board Members, click here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/53ywg0e0mwwfriz1aatwj/AFa21_Gy-F5Bk3rL6ranfII?rlkey=8j3yc9mo5lyjnxqsp4l0okhzh&st=2nnq0fyl&dl=0
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ABOUT ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND
The Entertainment Community Fund, formerly The Actors Fund, is a national human services organization that addresses the unique needs of people who work in performing arts and entertainment with services focused on health and wellness, career and life, and housing. Since 1882, the Fund has sought to ensure stability, encourage resiliency and be a safety net for those who shape our country’s cultural vibrancy. Learn more at entertainmentcommunity.org.
ABOUT ALEX ELMALEH
Born and raised in New York City, Alex Elmaleh is an actor (AEA) and singer. His grandmother was the celebrated ballerina and Broadway performer Sono Osato, and his grandfather, Victor Elmaleh, built the real estate empire known as the World-Wide Group. His uncle Antonio was a writer, known for The Ones They Left Behind. Alex’s father Niko Elmaleh was honored in 2021 with the Entertainment Community Fund’s Medal of Honor and serves on its Leadership Council. Alex’s mother Michelle Bouchard was a founding member of The New Group and the Workshop Theater in NYC; in Houston, she is Board President of Alta Arts, an interdisciplinary art center.
ABOUT KENNY LEON
KENNY LEON (Director). Tony Award-winning director. Broadway: The Balusters; Othello; Our Town; HOME; Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch; Topdog/Underdog; Ohio State Murders; A Soldier’s Play; American Son; Children of a Lesser God; Holler If Ya Hear Me; A Raisin in the Sun; The Mountaintop; Stick Fly; August Wilson’s Fences, Gem of the Ocean and Radio Golf. Off-Broadway: This World of Tomorrow (The Shed); King James; The Underlying Chris; Everybody’s Ruby; Emergence-See! (The Public); Smart People (Second Stage). Opera: Amahl and the Night Visitors; Margaret Garner. Television: Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia; Colin in Black & White; 4400; Amend: The Fight for America; American Son (adapted for Netflix); Hairspray Live!; The Wiz Live!; Steel Magnolias; Dynasty; In My Dreams. Author: Take You Wherever You Go. Artistic Director Emeritus: Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company. Senior Resident Director: Roundabout Theatre Company. Awards: Obie, Actors Fund Medal of Honor, George Abbott Lifetime Achievement for American Theatre, Jason Robards Award for Excellence in Theatre.
ABOUT MICHAEL F. MILLER, JR.
Michael F. Miller, Jr. has served as a member of the Executive Board since July 2004. Miller began his career in the IATSE in 1990 when he was initiated into IATSE Stagehands Local 27 in Cleveland, Ohio. Three years later in 1993, he was elected to the Executive Board of that Local and served in that capacity until he was elected Secretary/Treasurer in 2000. Miller also worked as a Business Agent of Cleveland-based Special Department B-27.
In 2001, Miller joined the IATSE West Coast Office as an International Representative. During the IATSE General Executive Board Meeting the week of February 6, 2006, in Tampa, Florida, Miller was appointed International Vice President-in-Charge of the West Coast Office. In 2008, Miller was appointed Department Director of Motion Picture & Television Production Department at the San Diego General Executive Board meeting.
Miller serves as a Labor Trustee for the IATSE National Benefit Funds and as a Labor Director for the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plans where he also serves as Secretary for the Pension & Individual Account Plans Committee and as Chair of the Finance Committee. Additionally, Miller serves as Vice President of the California Labor Federation, serves on the Board of the Motion Picture & Television Fund and as delegate to the Hollywood Commission on Eliminating Sexual Harassment and Advancing Equality.
In addition to Locals 27 and Special Department B-27, Miller is also a member of IATSE Studio Mechanics, Local 209 and IATSE Grips Local 80.
ABOUT MICHELE MULRONEY
Michele Mulroney is an LA-based screenwriter/director. She is a graduate of the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama and the University of London.
Her projects include Wishbone for PBS; Paper Man (co-writer/director) starring Jeff Daniels, Ryan Reynolds, Emma Stone, Kieran Culkin and Lisa Kudrow; Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows; Power Rangers; and the oft-blogged-about Justice League: Mortal with George Miller.
Michele is Board President of the LA non-profit ManifestWorks. She is the Artistic Director of the Oberlin Screenwriters Intensive. She serves as the current President of the Writers Guild of America, West.
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