Film Academy Hires New Senior Official for New York Operations (Exclusive)

Tamika Heart was hired to lead the New York operations of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, The Hollywood Reporter He learned. Effective August 15, the former director of memberships and events at the Paley Center for Media will serve as New York’s director of member relations and global outreach.

Also assumed: Erica Babrenburg, who will serve under Etheart as New York’s senior coordinator of member relations and global outreach. She comes to Max’s academy and he started her role last week.

These moves follow earlier this year’s departure Patrick Harrison, a longtime employee of the Academy — he was director of New York programs and membership from February 2001 to July 2022, and then VP member relations and global outreach — who was popular with Tri-State members. At the time, some members expressed disappointment at the lack of transparency regarding Harrison’s “disappearance”, as well as a number of other issues impacting New York members.

Shortly thereafter, the Academy retained Meredith Shea to serve as chief membership, impact & industry officer, and she and her colleagues spent the ensuing months interviewing candidates to succeed Harrison.

“I’m thrilled to let you know that we’ve hired fantastic new team members for both positions,” Shea said in a Monday missive to New York-area members. He added, “Going forward, the New York office will report directly to me. We are extremely excited to continue our presence in New York and to work with all of you to celebrate cinema and build community.”