Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm, joins the USC School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) Board of Councilors, Dean Elizabeth Daley announced on Tuesday.
The board plays a key leadership role in the school’s overall planning and development as well as supporting its fundraising efforts.
“I couldn’t be more pleased that Kathleen has agreed to join our board,” Daley said. “She is one of the great examples of visionary industry leaders who recognize and champion projects that become cultural touchstones.”
Board of Councilors Chair Frank Price added: “Kathleen Kennedy is the kind of leader whose ideas yield phenomenal results. We all look forward to welcoming her to the SCA Board of Councilors, and having her invaluable help in our efforts to serve the School’s talented students.”
Kennedy joins the board’s other notable industry leaders: Chair Frank Price, Frank Biondi, Jr., Barry Diller, Lee Gabler, David Geffen, Jim Gianopulos, Brian Grazer, Brad Grey, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Alan Levine, George Lucas, Michael Lynton, Don Mattrick, Bill M. Mechanic, Barry Meyer, Les Moonves, Sidney Poitier, Shonda Rhimes, John Riccitiello, Barney Rosenzweig, Scott Sassa, Steven Spielberg, Kevin Tsuijihara, John Wells, Jim Wiatt, Paul Junger Witt and Robert Zemeckis.
Kennedy, an eight-time Academy Award nominee, is one of the most successful and respected producers and executives in the film industry. She joined Lucasfilm in 2012, personally selected by George Lucas to lead the company.
She also sits on the Board of Governors and Board of Trustees of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).
Kennedy has produced or executive produced more than 60 films, which have collectively garnered 120 Academy Award nominations, 25 wins, and grossed more than $11 billion worldwide.
Her credits include four of the highest grossing films in motion picture history: “Jurassic Park,” “E.T. The Extra Terrestrial,” “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” and “The Sixth Sense,” as well as such blockbusters as the “Back to the Future” trilogy, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” “Gremlins,” “The Goonies,” “Poltergeist,” “War of the Worlds,” and “Twister.”
Kennedy has produced the films of many celebrated directors, including Steven Spielberg, David Fincher, Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood, Robert Zemeckis, M. Night Shyamalan, Frank Oz, Peter Bogdanovich, and Richard Donner.
Prior to joining Lucasfilm, Kennedy headed The Kennedy/Marshall Company, which she founded in 1992 with director/producer Frank Marshall, and in 1982 she co-founded the phenomenally successful Amblin Entertainment with Marshall and Steven Spielberg.
Kennedy is represented by CAA.