Women In Film is celebrating an exciting new chapter, welcoming four exceptional leaders who bring diverse expertise across film, television, and production. WIF frames this as a strategic win for representation and opportunity.
Amy Baer returning to the board after her 2018-2024 presidency raises eyebrows—she went from top leadership to rank-and-file board member in just one election cycle. Sources note she now runs film/TV at Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's Artists Equity, a major power position that apparently didn't translate back to WIF's corner office.
The 2025 board included Stacey Abrams as a director—a significant departure from this year's slate of entertainment industry professionals. Amy Baer spent 17 years at Sony Pictures overseeing films including "My Best Friend's Wedding" (1997), "Something's Gotta Give" (2003) and "Moneyball" (2011). Raamla Mohamed Hunter created "Reasonable Doubt," Onyx Collective's first scripted drama series.
WIF's 2026 board is stacked with serious players, but the optics of Baer's demotion from president to member—while keeping her day job at Affleck and Damon's shop—is a power shift worth watching. This isn't just about optics; it's about who controls the narrative for women in Hollywood.
Women In Film, Los Angeles just dropped its 2026 Board of Directors roster, and it's giving exactly what you'd expect from an org trying to stay relevant: four high-profile names with serious industry cred. Tessa Thompson, Katie Aselton, Amy Baer, and Raamla Mohamed Hunter have been elected to the board, where they'll work alongside CEO Kirsten Schaffer under the leadership of Board President Syrinthia Studer. "We are thrilled to welcome this group of leaders to our Board of Directors," Studer said in a statement.
"Each of these women brings a unique voice, deep experience across all facets of the industry and a shared commitment and dedication to bringing opportunities and equity for all women." The message is clear: WIF is betting big on star power and track records to move its mission forward. Let's break down what each new board member brings to the table. Katie Aselton has been around the block—FX's "The League" gave her a platform, but she's also proven she can work behind the camera with directing credits like "The Freebie," "Magic House," and "Their Town." Raamla Mohamed Hunter comes in hot as the creator, showrunner, and executive producer of "Reasonable Doubt," which holds the distinction of being Onyx Collective's first scripted drama series.
Her resume includes writing credits on "Little Fires Everywhere" and "Scandal," so she's no stranger to navigating complex narratives or working within prestige TV spaces. Then there's Amy Baer—the name that should catch your attention if it hasn't already. She currently serves as president of film and television for Artists Equity, the independent studio founded by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.
That's a hell of a co-sign. But here's where it gets interesting: Baer previously served as WIF Board President from 2018 to 2024. Now she's back on the board—but not in the driver's seat this time around.
Baer's industry pedigree is undeniable. She spent 17 years at Sony Pictures Entertainment, overseeing films including "My Best Friend's Wedding," "Something's Gotta Give," and "Moneyball." Before that, she founded and served as president of Gidden Media. So when she speaks about film industry equity, she's not just— actually ran the show for six years.
The fact that she's returning as a general member rather than reclaiming her presidential seat suggests something shifted in the WIF power structure, though neither party has elaborated on what. Tessa Thompson rounds out the cohort with perhaps the most mainstream visibility of the group. She's currently promoting "Hedda" and "His & Hers," and she launched her own production company, Viva Maude, back in 2020.
Her involvement brings celebrity-level influence to a board that sometimes struggles to break through beyond industry insider circles. Schaffer weighed in with her own statement: "The great additions to the WIF Board of Directors will continue to help WIF champion progress and shape a more inclusive future for our industry." It's diplomatic, it's supportive, and it intentionally sidesteps any questions about board transitions or the implications of Baer's changed role. For an organization built on advocacy and equity, WIF is playing things close to the vest on internal dynamics—and that silence speaks volumes if you know how to listen.
