Writers Guild of America East members have re-elected Sara David as vice president of its online media division and appointed Beth Godvik as the new vice president of broadcast, cable and streaming news in their first board election since the union’s strike ended in 2023.
Godvik will replace Kathy McGee, who did not seek re-election, on the board. Godvik has served on the WGA Eastern Board for two years, while David, who ran unopposed, has served on the board for three years.
The WGA Eastern Council is the governing body of the union and is comprised of 20 council members and five executive officers from three labor sectors represented by the union.
Eleven council members were also elected in the race, with voting taking place between Aug. 27 and Sept. 19. In the film, television and streaming sector, Monica Lee Bellais was re-elected, while Larry J. Cohen, Don P. Hooper, Victoria Pollack, Celine Robinson and Suzanne Weber also won seats. In the online media division, Susan Rinkunas and Jessica Schulberg were re-elected to the council after running unopposed. In the broadcast, cable and streaming news category, Justin DiLauro and Gail Lee were re-elected, while Phil Pilato also won a seat.
In total, 21 people filed for the 13 seats in this year’s race. Voter turnout was low: Only 6.3 percent of online media members voted, while 11.07 percent of broadcast, cable and streaming members and 14.23 percent of film, television and streaming members did the same. EBalloon monitored the vote counting.
The WGA Eastern Council is also led by President Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, Vice President Film/Television/Streaming Eric Saleh and Secretary-Treasurer Christopher Kyle, whose seats are up for re-election in 2025. Council members who also have one year remaining in their terms include Sofia Alvarez, Josh Gondelman, Liz Hynes, Greg Iwinski, Sarah Montana, Sasha Stewart, Caitlin Cruz, Sie Morley and Samantha Smylie.
