Marsha Manns

Marsha Manns is Executive Director of the Writers Guild of America, East Foundation, where she is involved in the development of original programming with attendant outreach, funding, volunteer and staff support for the Foundation’s mission to perpetuate the art and craft of storytelling through education and practical experience. Prior to her appointment as Executive Director, she was the WGAE’s Director of Programs and Guild Liaison to the WGAE Foundation. Her work included the creation of original programs such as the Michael Collyer Fellowship in Screenwriting, and the supervision of the annual WGAE Awards.

Before coming to the Guild, Ms. Manns was Director of the Society of Fellows in the Humanities and Associate Director of the Heyman Center for the Humanities at Columbia University, where a room is named in her honor. During her tenure at Columbia, she oversaw the programs and operations of the humanities center and collaborated in the development of senior faculty initiatives to support research and teaching in the humanities. Prior to Columbia, she was Vice President, Marketing and Operations, for the New York division of Talent & Residuals, which provided broadcast business management services to the advertising and entertainment industries.

Ms. Manns serves on the boards of several literary organizations, including the Byron Society of America, which she founded. She is currently working with Drew University in the development of a collection of literary materials that demonstrate the impact of the writer upon the reader and the culture.