The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the prestigious organization behind the annual Academy Awards, is on the cusp of a significant leadership transition. At the close of July, for the first time since August 2022, the Film Academy will see a new president take the helm as Janet Yang concludes her impactful three-year term. Due to the Academy’s stringent term limits, Yang is stepping down, paving the way for a new leader to guide the global institution.

Janet Yang’s Transformative Presidency Comes to an End

Janet Yang, a highly respected producer, has served as the Academy’s top officer since August 2022. Her presidency was a landmark, making her only the 36th individual, the fourth woman, and the second person of color to hold this esteemed position since the Academy’s inception in 1927. Yang’s leadership was so effective that she was re-elected in both 2023 and 2024, and likely would have secured another term if the rules allowed. However, the Academy’s bylaws mandate that governors step away from the board for at least two years after completing two three-year terms. This ensures fresh perspectives continually shape the organization’s direction.

Yang, 68, the Queens-born daughter of Chinese immigrants, joined the Academy in 2002. Her more active involvement was catalyzed by Chris Rock’s controversial joke about Asian children during the 2016 Oscars telecast. In response, Yang rallied dozens of Asian Academy members, advocating for change that led to an apology from then-CEO Dawn Hudson and a commitment to greater inclusion. This proactive and strategic approach led to her appointment to the A2020 Committee in 2018, tasked with recruiting diverse members. By 2019, she was appointed as one of three governors-at-large, a role created post-#OscarsSoWhite to prioritize inclusion in board discussions. In 2020, she chaired the membership and governance committee, further cementing her influence.

When casting director David Rubin’s term as president ended in 2022, Yang’s admired leadership made her the clear successor over fellow governor-at-large DeVon Franklin. Partnering closely with CEO Bill Kramer, who took his post in June 2022, Yang has overseen a period of remarkable stability for the Academy. This is particularly notable given the tumultuous events preceding their tenure, including #OscarsSoWhite, the 2016 Rock incident, the Moonlight/La La Land debacle in 2017, the shocking Will Smith slap in 2022, and controversial decisions like not airing eight below-the-line categories live during the 2022 telecast, which sparked outrage. They also navigated the two lowest-rated Oscars telecasts on record in 2021 and 2022.

While Yang inherited challenges, such as the polarizing inclusion standards for Best Picture eligibility (approved in 2020 and effective 2024, with seemingly minimal impact so far), and faced some self-created issues—like her quickly-deleted social media post championing Michelle Yeoh for an Oscar, which led to a new rule prohibiting such endorsements from governors—her overall tenure, alongside Kramer, has been exceptionally well-regarded.

The Road Ahead: Lynette Howell Taylor Poised for Leadership

As Yang departs, the responsibility of electing the new president falls to the Academy’s 55-person Board of Governors. These governors are elected by their peers from the Academy’s approximately 11,000 members across more than 80 countries. The president, an unpaid position, works alongside CEO Bill Kramer, who oversees the Academy’s day-to-day operations and its roughly 700 employees in Los Angeles, New York, and London. Kramer is set to remain in his role, ensuring continuity during this leadership transition.

According to The Hollywood Reporter’s insights, fellow producer Lynette Howell Taylor is the overwhelming favorite to succeed Yang. Howell Taylor currently serves as one of the Academy’s vice presidents and chairs the vital Awards Committee, giving her deep insight into the organization’s core functions. Her producing credits include acclaimed films such as A Star Is Born (earning her an Oscar nomination for Best Picture) and Captain Fantastic. Her established leadership within the Academy and involvement in key committees position her as a highly qualified and experienced candidate for the top spot.

Yang’s Lasting Impact on Global Reach and Inclusivity

While some changes during Yang’s presidency, like the restoration of equal treatment for all categories on the Oscars telecast and the continued growth of the Academy Museum Gala (dubbed the “Met Gala of the west”), might have occurred regardless of who was at the helm, Yang’s personal stamp on the Academy is undeniable.

Under her leadership, the number of international Academy members has soared. Non-Americans now constitute approximately 25 percent of the total membership, a significant increase that began after #OscarsSoWhite and paved the way for films like Parasite to win Best Picture. Yang and Kramer actively traveled to personally cultivate these new global members. This year, for the first time in Academy history, there was at least one non-American nominee in every single category, showcasing the truly global scope and inclusive reach achieved during her tenure. This commitment to international representation is a cornerstone of Yang’s legacy, reflecting a more diverse and globally-minded Academy.

As the Academy prepares for this new chapter, the question remains: How will Lynette Howell Taylor’s leadership build upon Janet Yang’s impressive legacy of inclusivity and global outreach?