Brigitta Romanov
2021 – Present

Brigitta Romanov is the Executive Director of the Costume Designers Guild (CDG), IATSE Local 892. Romanov serves on several CDG committees, including Diversity, Pay Equity, and Sustainability. She also serves on the Motion Picture Television Fund Committee for Day at the Races, the Industrywide Labor/Management Safety Committee, and is recording secretary for the California IATSE Coalition. She is a delegate for both the IATSE District 2 Convention and AFL-CIO, Los Angeles. She has been a costume designer for films, commercials, and television, including Glee. Romanov has worked in the entertainment industry for over 20 years.

Rachel Stanley
2008 – 2021

Stanley designed costumes on such shows as Ally McBeal, Sisters, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, before working for the Costume Designers Guild in 2004. Starting in 2008, she served as executive director for seventeen years. Stanley is particularly proud of the work she’s done to educate union members about negotiating deals above the minimum scale provided for in the local’s contracts. She says, “Helping members to understand how they could negotiate and increase their salaries has been very rewarding, and that’s where I put a lot of my focus.” She continues to teach a seminar. “

Cheryl Downey: 2004 – 2008
James Casey: 2000 – 2002
Carol Frazier: 1988 – 2000
Sheila O’Brien: 1956 – 1988

Executive directors embody trust and inspire confidence through their adept communication skills and well-informed decision-making abilities. It is essential for an executive director to confidently lead both the board of directors and the organizational staff. Furthermore, exceptional executive directors leverage their extensive experience while acknowledging the importance of continuous learning in leadership. They remain intensely focused in order to achieve objectives, meet deadlines, and actively engage in strategic planning.

• Provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Union’s day-to-day functions, programs, and initiatives
• Implements policies, directives, and goals established by the Executive Board and membership
• Oversees staff management, hiring, supervision, professional development, and performance accountability
• Manages organizational budgets, financial planning, reporting, and fiscal compliance
• Supports collective bargaining efforts, labor relations strategies, and member advocacy initiatives
• Works collaboratively with elected leadership, committees, employers, labor partners, and external stakeholders
• Oversees membership services, communications, organizing efforts, education, and member engagement programs
• Ensures compliance with labor laws, Union governing documents, regulatory requirements, and organizational policies
• Develops and executes strategic plans to strengthen membership growth, organizational sustainability, and Union effectiveness
• Represents the Union in meetings, public forums, coalitions, industry events, and governmental or community relations
• Oversees administrative operations, including contracts, facilities, technology systems, and vendor relationships
• Advises leadership on operational, financial, legal, and organizational matters affecting the Union and its members
• Supports crisis management, conflict resolution, and problem-solving across organizational functions
• Promotes a culture of transparency, accountability, equity, and service to the membership
• Monitors industry trends, legislative developments, and labor issues impacting the Union and its members