SAG Foundation Announces Lainie Strouse as Director of Development

January 21, 2015

Development exec, TV/film producer and actor uniquely positioned to take SAG Foundation to the next level

LOS ANGELES (January 21, 2015) – The Screen Actors Guild Foundation has hired development executive, TV/film producer and actor Lainie Strouse as its new Director of Development. Strouse will manage all fundraising and development for the SAG Foundation.

Strouse comes to the SAG Foundation from St. Jude Children’s Hospital where she headed up strategic and corporate partnerships, cultivated celebrity and donor relations and produced major fundraising events. Prior to her tenure at St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Strouse worked as the Director of Advertising and Sponsorship at the Writers Guild of America West. In addition, Strouse produced and contributed to several high profile award shows including the WGA Awards, the Makeup and Hairstylists Awards, LMGA Awards, DGA Honorary Awards, LA Film Critics Awards and more.

Strouse’s entertainment industry credentials also include being an actor herself with roles on General Hospital, Two Guys and a Girl, Wicked Wicked Games, Days of Wine and Roses and The Miracle Worker before shifting into a producing role with credits including the PBS series The Write Environment, Piranhas and the Audience. Most recently, Strouse produced the award-winning Teacher of the Year starring Keegan Michael Key (Key and Peele) and Matt Letscher (HER, Boardwalk Empire) set to release later this year.

On her new position at the SAG Foundation, Strouse says, “Having worked for many years as an actor and producer, I have a deep respect for what it takes to weather the ups and downs of this profession. What the SAG Foundation provides in terms of emergency assistance and education not only supports the individual artists, but the entertainment industry as a whole. I’m thrilled to be able to integrate my professional experiences in development and production with my passions for helping colleagues in need and children’s literacy. I look forward to building connections and opportunities within the entertainment industry as a whole to support the great work of the SAG Foundation.”

“As we embark on our 30^th year, we’re thrilled to have Lainie on board as our new development executive. Her vast experience in the entertainment industry stretching from fundraising and event production to working both in front of and behind the camera makes her uniquely qualified for this role. She is poised to take this organization to new heights when it comes to expanding our partnerships and sponsorship opportunities along with spearheading our 30^th anniversary gala at the end of the year,” says Cyd Wilson, Executive Director of the SAG Foundation.