Charlotte Wells promoted to be next head of US non-profit SAG-AFTRA Foundation

Charlotte Wells has been announced as the new CEO of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation in the US, after being promoted from her current role as chief operating officer (COO).

Charlotte Wells

She will start the new role at the non-profit organisation on January 1, 2026, succeeding executive director Cyd Wilson, who is set to retire and move into an advisory and special projects role.

Wells joined the foundation in 2017 and in her new role will expand on the work done by Wilson during her 12 years in charge.

Prior to joining the foundation, Wells spent seven years as COO at LGBTQ+ media advocacy group GLAAD.

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation provides assistance and educational programming to members of SAG-AFTRA, the union formed in 2012 by the merger of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

It has raised tens of millions of dollars to support performing artists through emergency financial aid, scholarships and free educational programmes.

Wells said: “I’ve spent the last 15 years of my career at the intersection of non-profits and the entertainment industry, working to increase access, expand opportunities and help to transform lives and careers.

“As we look to the future, our focus is clear: delivering expansive resources, tools and programmes to help performers hone their craft, navigate their careers and build entrepreneurial skills.

“Our performers are the backbone of the entertainment industry and when we invest in our artists, we strengthen the entire industry. I’m grateful to Cyd for her dedicated leadership and proud of all we’ve built together at the foundation.”

Wilson said: “For 12 years, it has been my honour to serve as the executive director of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, building state-of-the-art facilities in LA and New York City, expanding our educational programmes for all SAG-AFTRA performers nationwide, raising donor engagement and elevating awareness of the Foundation within the industry.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working side-by-side with Charlotte Wells for the past eight years, and she is the best steward for the future of the foundation.”