SAG-AFTRA Expands Equity & Inclusion Department

LOS ANGELES – SAG-AFTRA is pleased to announce the promotion of Franklin Sablan to the new role of Executive Director of Equity & Inclusion effective February 28, 2022. The position reports to SAG-AFTRA Chief Governance and Equity & Inclusion Officer Michelle Bennett.

In addition, Ellen Huang has been promoted to National Director, Equity & Inclusion Programming and Engagement, and Grace Allen to Senior Manager, Equity & Inclusion Policy Compliance. Both began their roles on Jan. 10.

“Advancing equity and inclusion for SAG-AFTRA members, both on and off-screen, can only happen with an extraordinary team of committed advocates and activists,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. “I am so pleased to be entrusting the leadership of our Equity and Inclusion department to experienced and determined champions like Franklin Sablan, Ellen Huang and Grace Allen in their new roles. I also especially acknowledge Michelle Bennett for continuing to build and develop this incredible team.”

“I am thrilled to be a part of this talented team and looking forward to continuing our work in collaboration with our committees, National Board and industry partners and allies to create and execute real action plans that advance our shared goals for safety, equity and inclusion in the workplace,” said SAG-AFTRA Chief Governance and Equity & Inclusion Officer Michelle Bennett. “I want to congratulate Franklin Sablan on his new role and applaud Ellen Huang and Grace Allen for their much-deserved promotions and many years of dedication to SAG-AFTRA’s DEI initiatives.”

Sablan joined SAG-AFTRA in 2019 as Senior Director of Culture and Employee Engagement and was promoted in 2021 to National Director of Culture and Employee Engagement. He has more than 20 years of professional Human Resources experience in the public and private sectors, including federal government contracting, the hospitality industry, banking and nonprofits. Sablan holds a master’s degree in Human Resources Development from Villanova University and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Guam.

A native of Guam, Sablan is the founder of Guam’s Alternative Lifestyle Association (GALA), a nonprofit established to strengthen the quality of life for LGBTQ+ individuals, their families and friends through support, education and advocacy, and he currently serves as an advisor to the board of directors. Franklin is also certified as an HIV/AIDS risk reduction counselor and has a passion for work that positively impacts his community.

About SAG-AFTRA

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.