SAG-AFTRA Announces New Executive Director to Oversee Pacific Northwest

Seattle (March 21, 2016) – SAG-AFTRA today announced the hiring of Shellea Allen as its Seattle Local executive director and administrator for the Portland Local. She will oversee the union’s day-to-day business in the Pacific Northwest.

Allen brings to SAG-AFTRA more than a decade of experience as a negotiator and organizer with UNITE HERE, and she has served as an advocate for employment protections for LGBT workers through Pride at Work, a constituency group of the AFL-CIO.  

“The Pacific Northwest is seeing remarkable growth in new and traditional media, while hosting an increasing number of film and television productions,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White. “We are excited to have Shellea bring her talents as an advocate, organizer, negotiator and legislative analyst to SAG-AFTRA’s Seattle and Portland locals.”

Seattle Local President Rik Deskin, who chaired the local search committee, added, “Shellea impressed me and other members of the search committee during her interviews. She is a remarkable, likable addition to the SAG-AFTRA family and we look forward to working with her on this exciting new phase for SAG-AFTRA in the Pacific Northwest.”

Allen starts today and reports to SAG-AFTRA Assistant National Executive Director, Locals Linda Dowell. She replaces Brad Anderson, who retired as executive director March 18.

Allen holds a master’s degree in conflict resolution from Portland State University, as well as certificates in mediation and negotiations, and arbitration. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political economy from Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington.