News & Press

The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) has announced that Kari Grubin will take over as president on January 1, 2025. Grubin will be the first woman to lead the organization, a milestone in HPA’s history.  She follows in the footsteps of previous presidents, Seth Hallen and HPA founder Leon Silverman. With her deep roots in HPA and extensive background in technology, post-production, and entertainment, Grubin is poised to guide the association through the evolving challenges of the industry.

Grubin has been a pivotal force within HPA since joining the Board of Directors in 2020. Among her many accomplishments, she co-founded the HPA Women in Post program in 2011, which has helped elevate the visibility of women in content creation and provided valuable leadership opportunities. She also co-created the HPA Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) program, which has mentored nearly 200 up-and-coming industry professionals. More recently, Grubin collaborated with fellow board member Renard Jenkins to launch HPA All, an initiative designed to foster inclusion by supporting career pathways for underrepresented groups.

“I am truly honored and excited to be part of the leadership team of this great organization that means so much to me, and I will bring my passion and experience to this responsibility,” Grubin said. “Now more than ever, HPA is a critical and hyper-relevant partner for the individuals and companies at work in our industry as we face the significant change, challenge and opportunity ahead. HPA will continue to be a conduit for our community to grow, reach out for new opportunities and adapt.”

Grubin is member services director for the Motion Picture Association’s Trusted Partner Network, where her focus is on enhanced security preparedness and security best practices at all stages in the digital media supply chain. Her extensive career spans executive roles in the entertainment and technology industries. Grubin began her trajectory as a tour guide at Universal Studios, eventually becoming an assistant editor working on feature films. From Universal, she segued to Paramount Studios where she worked in Mastering for Studio Operations, eventually rising to head of technical operations. Moving to a new enterprise, Grubin was a co-founder and general manager of the mastering facility at Global Entertainment Partners (GEP) before selling the company to Deluxe Entertainment Services Group. At Deluxe, she was named vice president of post and restoration before joining the cybersecurity company, NSS Labs, as sales director, and then served as vice president of mastering for Walt Disney Studios. She is listed as a co-inventor for three U.S. patents in media and entertainment technology.

Current President Seth Hallen has led HPA for nearly a decade with vision and passion. Hallen’s tenure is marked by significant growth, including the expansion of educational programs and fostering new talent. Under his leadership, HPA navigated unprecedented challenges while staying true to its core mission of supporting creativity and innovation in the media and entertainment industry.

“Leading the HPA over the past nine years has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career. It’s been an honor to work alongside such dedicated and passionate professionals who continuously push the boundaries of creativity and innovation in our industry,” Hallen reflected. “I am incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together, from fostering new talent and expanding our educational initiatives to navigating unprecedented challenges with resilience and unity. I have had the pleasure of working closely with Kari, and I have witnessed firsthand her vision, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the HPA community. Kari is an exceptional leader with the energy, expertise, and insight. to guide HPA into its next era of growth and evolution. I have no doubt that under her leadership, HPA will continue to thrive and be a powerful force in shaping the future of our industry.”

The HPA Board has also announced that Renard Jenkins will step into the role of Vice President in January 2025, working alongside Grubin as part of the new executive committee, which will also include Craig German and Graylind Wherry.

As HPA looks toward the future, Grubin’s leadership will be instrumental in navigating the rapid technological advancements and challenges facing the media and entertainment industry. Her appointment reflects both the continuity of the organization’s values and a forward-thinking approach to its future. HPA remains committed to its role as a hub for collaboration, innovation, and education in the industry.