The Writers Guild Foundation Retains Envision Consulting to Find New Leader
March 5, 2025 – Pasadena, CA-based search firm Envision Consulting has been selected by the Writers Guild Foundation in Los Angeles to lead in its search for a new executive director. Reporting to the board of directors, the executive director is in charge of coordinating the overall operations, financials and strategy for the organization. This position will improve fund development and revitalize the strategic plan and make sure the proper staff and programs are in place to further the mission. The executive director is a collaborative leader, equipped to effectively engage the senior staff and board in refining the vision for the organization.
This incoming executive must be a dynamic, high-energy leader who thrives in a fast-paced, multifaceted environment. They should bring a genuine passion for TV and film while maintaining a strategic, mission-driven focus rather than aspiring to be a TV writer themselves. This person should be adept at navigating diverse professional settings, from collaborating with union leaders and community partners to engaging with industry professionals and philanthropic stakeholders, according to Envision Consulting. A strong sense of humor, engaging presence, and visionary mindset are essential qualities for excelling in this role.
The ideal candidate must be flexible, adaptable, and capable of managing multiple high-level responsibilities. As the leader of a small but highly effective team, they should be comfortable “scrambling” when necessary and guiding the organization across multiple disciplines efficiently, the job specification said. Experience in non-profit leadership is highly desirable, particularly within arts, education, or media-focused organizations.
“Additionally, they should be a confident and strategic leader, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation while ensuring the organization’s continued growth and impact,” the job specification said. “The ability to build strong relationships, champion storytelling, and engage in meaningful conversations with writers, industry leaders, and community partners is central to the role. Ultimately, this individual should be a versatile, forward-thinking executive who can lead the Writers Guild Foundation into its next chapter, expanding its reach and impact while maintaining its commitment to supporting writers and storytelling in the entertainment industry.”
Related: Navigating a Non-Profit Succession Plan
Since 1966, The Writers Guild Foundation has been the premier Hollywood resource for emerging writers and entertainment lovers. A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the foundation’s mission is to preserve and promote the history and craft of writing for the screen. Along with operating the Shavelson-Webb Library and Archives in Los Angeles, The foundation hosts public events featuring notable TV and film writers as well as community outreach programs connecting writers with underserved communities.
Finding Non-Profit Leaders
Envision Consulting is a minority-owned firm specializing in executive search, organizational strategy, merger exploration, and executive leadership transitions. With offices in New York and Los Angeles, its partners and consultants are former non-profit executive leaders who now use their collective experience and inspiration to uplift non-profits and the communities they serve. Envision Consulting’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is integrated into its practices, including inclusive surveys and stakeholder interviews, focus groups, structured hiring processes, and a focus on anti-biased decision making.
The Strategic Benefits of Using Retained Search Firms for Non-Profit Leadership Recruitment
In the wake of the 2024 election, the dynamic landscape for nonprofit organizations has shifted, making the need to secure and retain top-tier leadership more crucial than ever. Recruiters tell Hunt Scanlon Media that strong, effective leadership is now key to driving mission success and ensuring long-term organizational sustainability in an increasingly complex environment. A new report from J. Michael Durnil, director of executive search at Cooper Coleman LLC , and Michelle Alvis, principal owner at Alvis People Solutions, LLC, explains that internal HR functions play a critical role in organization operations and managing day-to-day human resources needs, yet the time required to navigate the complexity and high stakes of executive recruitment often benefit from an external, specialized, and laser focused approach.
“Retained search firms who specialize in the social sector and not-for-profit organizations bring a wealth of specialized knowledge, talent networks and experience to the process of search,” the report said. “Unlike general recruitment processes, retained executive search firms are adept at identifying and attracting candidates who not only possess the requisite skills and experience but also align with the unique culture and values of non-profit organizations, including ones that might not be in the hunt for their next position. This alignment is crucial for leadership roles where the impact of a mismatch can be particularly detrimental to a mission driven organization operating with limited resources of capacity, capital, and time.”
Envision Consulting was founded by Matt Kamin and Allison Fuller in 2006. Mr. Kamin, managing partner, has been working and volunteering in the non-profit world for over 18 years. He previously served as executive director of Palisades Emergency Residence Corp. in New York, Children’s Nature Institute in Los Angeles, and Los Angeles Youth Network in Hollywood. Mr. Kamin has also been a consultant to organizations serving populations ranging from disabled adults, domestic violence, children in non-public schools, and the geriatric community. He is co-founder of Youth for Charity, an organization bringing together teens of different faiths to raise awareness for families living in poverty, as well as founder of Eleventh Commandment, which has grown into JQ International.
Ms. Fuller, managing partner, has worked in the non-profit sector for more than a decade. Her interest in non-profits began as a volunteer, leading her to co-founding her own charitable organization. In the non-profit sector, she has held numerous staff and executive leadership positions, including executive director. As a former escrow officer, Ms. Fuller brings extensive planning and logistical experience into overseeing many aspects of management organization, contract administration, strategic planning, and operations. In addition, as a graphic designer and web marketer, she brings in unique talents to non-profits, expanding resources and efficiency while substantially increasing fundraising revenues. She also has a passion for helping youth and has worked with several major non-profit organizations, including Autism Speaks, YWCA, and Step Up Women’s Network.
Related: Non-Profits Seek New Kinds of Leaders with Help from Search Firms
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
