Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1541667
64 SAG-AFTRA | Fall/Winter 2025 | sagaftra.org R eelected during SAG-AFTRA's 2025 national convention, Executive Vice President Linda Powell continues in the role she stepped into in 2023, when convention delegates first elected her. A National Board member since 2012, the election made Powell the first African American to serve in the top tier of elected leadership since the merged union's inception. She also serves as 1st Vice President of the New York Local. As EVP, Powell has represented SAG-AFTRA across the country, advocating for worker empowerment and A.I. guardrails. As a performer, Powell has appeared on Broadway and off, and her screen credits include Chicago Fire, Law & Order: SVU, Dopesick, House of Cards, Madam Secretary, The Report, American Gangster and others. MEET YOUR EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, LINDA POWELL Then-National Board member and TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee Vice Chair Linda Powell phonebanks for the Interactive Media Agreement strike authorization at SAG-AFTRA's New York headquarters on Sept. 12, 2023. While attending President Joe Biden's State of the Union address on March 7, 2024, as a guest of U.S. Rep. Jimmy Gomez, Powell called on Congress to act on "critical issues like A.I. protections, health care access and fair wages that are so important to working people everywhere." Upon her reelection Powell said, "I'm thankful for the opportunity to continue collaborating with our brother and sister unions to do everything we can to make sure that workers' voices are included in the creation of the unknown new normal that we all know is rising up around us. All of us, every one of us, whether elected or rank and file, should be part of that effort. Because we're storytellers. We can use our voices and our platforms and our work to amplify the need to center Angeles and New York City during the 2023 TV/Theatrical/Streaming strike. The negotiating committee member even crossed the border and made an appearance at a rally in Toronto to amplify the Alliance of Canadian Television and Radio Artists' efforts in their dispute with commercials employers. In addition to her union work, Hurd is a successful working actor, known for starring in Star Trek: Picard on Paramount+ opposite Patrick Stewart and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit on NBC opposite Mariska Hargitay, as well as appearing in You on Netflix alongside Penn Badgley. She recently completed production on the Netflix romantic comedy Office Romance, starring Jennifer Lopez and Brett Goldstein. Upon her election to the position of secretary-treasurer, Hurd said, "Our industry is at a transitional moment, and we are facing real challenges, but I am optimistic and ready to fight. It means the world to me to have the trust of my colleagues. I am deeply committed to earning it every single day." MEET YOUR NEW SECRETARY- TREASURER, MICHELLE HURD Then-National Board member and TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee member Michelle Hurd at the SAG-AFTRA "Rock the City for a Fair Contract" rally in Times Square, July 25, 2023. A daughter of union and civil rights activists, Michelle Hurd is an accomplished performer who isn't new to union service. In 2021, she was honored with the SAG-AFTRA President's Award. This prestigious honor recognizes individuals demonstrating an outstanding commitment to SAG-AFTRA's membership and the labor movement. Members recognize Hurd not only from her prolific onscreen career, but also as a fellow labor activist who walked picket lines and attended rallies in both Los DEREK FRENCH/SHUTTERSTOCK humanity in our society." Powell also serves as a trustee of the SAG-AFTRA Health and Pension plans, is chair of the Board of Advisors to the Colin Powell School at the City College of New York and is a proud member of Actors' Equity.