The Hollywood Professional Association is getting its first female president.
The board of directors of the Burbank organization announced on Sept. 25 that Kari Grubin will replace Seth Hallen as president starting on Jan. 1.
An expert in post-production services, technology and consulting, Grubin possesses the experience and vision to help drive the association through the next phase of the entertainment industry’s evolution according to a release from the association.
Grubin said she was honored and excited to be part of the leadership team of a great organization that means so much to her.
“Now more than ever, HPA is a critical and hyper-relevant partner for the individuals and companies at work in our industry as we face the significant change, challenge and opportunity ahead,” Grubin said in a statement. “I’m assuming the leadership of a thriving organization, and I look forward to shepherding it through its next powerful new phase. I encourage our community to join us in the work ahead and look forward to the upcoming collaboration.”
Grubin and Hallen will work together in the coming months to ensure a smooth transition.
“I have had the pleasure of working closely with Kari, and I have witnessed firsthand her vision, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the HPA community,” Hallen said in a statement. “Kari is an exceptional leader with the energy, expertise, and insight to guide HPA into its next era of growth and evolution. I have no doubt that under her leadership, HPA will continue to thrive and be a powerful force in shaping the future of our industry.”
Hallen called leading the association over the past nine years one of the most fulfilling experiences of his career.
“It’s been an honor to work alongside such dedicated and passionate professionals who continuously push the boundaries of creativity and innovation in our industry,” Hallen said. “I am incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together, from fostering new talent and expanding our educational initiatives to navigating unprecedented challenges with resilience and unity.”
Grubin currently serves as the member services director for the Motion Picture Association‘s Trusted Partner Network, which helps companies prevent leaks, breaches, and hacks of their customers’ movies and television shows prior to their release.
She has served on the association’s board since 2020 although her involvement with the organization spans many years. For instance, Grubin co-founded HPA Women in Post in 2011, which provides leadership opportunities and visibility for women working in professional content creation.
In 2016, under the leadership of Grubin and then-fellow board member Loren Nielsen, the Women in Post committee, of which Grubin still serves as a member, created the HPA Young Entertainment Professional program.
And in 2021, she and fellow board member Renard Jenkins collaborated to launch HPA All, an initiative supporting and highlighting career pathways and creating opportunities for underrepresented groups.
She headed up the HPA Tech Retreat Supersession in 2022 and is currently working with Hallen and the Program Committee on the supersession for next year’s retreat.
The association’s board also announced that Jenkins would assume the role of vice president of the board in January. At that time, a new Executive Committee will take over. The 2025 HPA Board Executive Committee includes Grubin, Jenkins, Craig German and Graylind Wherry.
