Jan Nagel has been named Interim President of the non-profit, professional organization Women in Animation. Nagel replaces Women In Animation founder Rita Street until elections are held later this year. Nagel, formerly Vice President of the organization, has worked hand-in-hand with Street since WIA's inception in 1994. "As the Interim President, I will work with everyone in Women in Animation to help nurture the organization through this transition," commented Nagel. "I intend to follow in the footsteps of our Founder, Rita Street, to uphold the mission statement and expand the role and scope of WIA in the animation industry." Jan Nagel has been in animation for eight years and is the Director of Business Development for VirtualMagic Animation, Inc., a serviceproducer of digital ink, paint and compositing for 2D animation. She has held similar positions at Calico Entertainment and Dream Quest Images. Prior to entering the animation industry, she worked in account management for major advertising agencies such as NW Ayer and McCann-Erickson.
On February 16, 1999, Rita Street presented a letter of resignation from the positions President and Board of Directors of Women in Animation, Inc. to the Executive Committee. She noted, "WIA is still a very young non-profit and needs a great deal of attention that I can no longer give. I leave the organization in the hands of great leaders. I will keep watch over the exciting changes to come, and wish everyone involved my sincere gratitude. My tenure with WIA has been a wonderful experience."
Street remain's on the organization's Advisory Committe, and will also naturally retain the title of Founder. Other appointments include Producer Libby Simon, who was named Interim Vice President, and Julie Van Hove as an Interim Board Member. Hope Parker of Baer Animation and Jessie Nagel of Hype will retain their titles of Treasurer and Secretary, respectively. The Board and the Executive Committee are currently in the process of organizing an election of the Board of Directors for June. At that time, the new Board will elect new officers.
Women In Animation is a non-profit, professional organization founded in 1994 to promote the concerns and advancement of women involved in any and all aspects of the art and industry of animation. For more information call (818) 759-9596; or visit www.women.in.animation.org.
