Cathy Repola, who has been in her current role since 2016, announced on Monday that she will be stepping down as the National Executive Director of the Motion Picture Editors Guild. Her 32-year tenure at IATSE Local 700 will come to an end at the end of January 2025.



In a statement on Monday, Repola expressed how working for the Guild has been a truly fulfilling career. Her strong dedication to the Guild and its mission, as well as her connection to its members, has always been present. However, at this point in time, she has decided to redirect her focus towards loved ones and friends.

Guild President Alan Heim announced that a search committee will be established to select a successor for Repola. The final candidate will then need the approval of the Guild's Board of Directors. In a statement, Heim praised Repola for her exceptional leadership over the past eight years, citing her positive impact on navigating difficult contract negotiations and handling challenging situations with grace and bravery. He added that the incoming leader will have large responsibilities to fulfill in following her successful tenure.

In June of 2023, Repola rejoined the P&H Plan board after a five-year break. When asked about her time away in an interview with Local 700's CineMontage Magazine, she declined to comment, saying only that reinstating her “was the right thing to do.”

As the largest union in the entertainment industry, the Motion Picture Editors Guild boasts a membership of approximately 9,000 post-production professionals from both Los Angeles and New York.