Lynette Howell Taylor has been elected president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences by the organisation’s Board of Governors. A producer with more than two decades of experience and over 25 film credits, Howell Taylor is best known for A Star Is Born, which earned eight Oscar nominations, including one for Best Picture.
This marks her first term as Academy president, though she is currently in her second term as a governor representing the Producers Branch. She previously served three years as vice president and chair of the influential Awards Committee.
The Academy’s Board also elected several members to officer roles for the 2025–2026 term:
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Lesley Barber (Music Branch) as Vice President and Chair of the Membership Committee
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Jennifer Fox (Producers Branch) as Vice President and Chair of the Awards Committee
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Simon Kilmurry (Documentary Branch) as Vice President/Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee
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Lou Diamond Phillips (Actors Branch) as Vice President and Chair of the Equity and Inclusion Committee
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Howard A. Rodman (Writers Branch) as Vice President/Secretary and Chair of the Governance Committee
Academy CEO Bill Kramer welcomed the appointments, saying: “Lynette has been a vital part of the Academy Board of Governors for many years, most recently revitalising our awards work. I look forward to working with her and this group of strategic, dedicated officers as we continue to support our global membership and promote the achievements of filmmakers around the world.”
Barber and Rodman were re-elected to officer roles, while Fox, Kilmurry and Phillips take on these positions for the first time.
Howell Taylor, a member of the Academy since 2014, has also produced the Oscar-nominated Captain Fantastic, Blue Valentine, Half Nelson, The Place Beyond the Pines and Big Eyes, among others. She also co-produced the 92nd Oscars ceremony in 2020, earning an Emmy nomination.
Board members may serve up to two three-year terms, with a mandatory two-year break before becoming eligible for further service, for a maximum of 12 years. Officers serve one-year terms, with a cap of four consecutive years in any single office.
