On June 25, DGA members gathered in the Guild’s New York Boardroom for the event, Paving the Way: An Evening with Women DGA Members. Hosted by Eastern Directors Council’s Focus on Women Committee (FOW), the invitation-only event offered the opportunity for newer women DGA members to build a community by networking with their colleagues, hearing more about the Guild's resources, and learning from DGA leaders and accomplished women Directors.
The evening opened with a welcome from FOW member Maggie Greenwald (Sophie and the Rising Sun), who spoke briefly about the work of the Committee before introducing the speakers, Directors Bethany Rooney (The Black List, NCIS) and Martha Mitchell (Blindspot, Madam Secretary).
During their conversation, Rooney and Mitchell shared career insights, their perspective on overcoming challenges that face women Directors and revealed how they achieved success. They also informed the attendees about services available to them such as the Guild’s Diversity Initiatives before opening the floor up to questions from the audience.
Following the Q&A session, the evening concluded with networking reception.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
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 Martha Mitchell
Mitchell has directed over 100 episodes of television including series such as Chicago Justice, Madam Secretary, White Collar, Blue Bloods, The Mentalist, Without a Trace, NCIS, House, Veronica Mars, Numb3rs, Joan of Arcadia, Judging Amy, Law & Order, Strong Medicine, The Education of Max Bickford, Touched by an Angel, Chicago Hope, The Practice, Timecop, and New York Undercover. Mitchell has been a DGA member since 1994, has served as both a member and an alternate on the Eastern Directors Council, and currently serves as an alternate on the DGA National Board.
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 Bethany Rooney
Rooney has directed over 200 hours of primetime television including critically acclaimed series such as Scandal, Arrow and Nashville, and classics including Desperate Housewives, Ally McBeal and Brothers & Sisters. She began her directing career on the 1980s iconic television show, St. Elsewhere, where she also served as an associate producer. In addition to co-authoring three books on directing with Belli, Rooney has taught directing at UCLA Extension and numerous acting workshops in the LA area. A DGA member since 1985, Rooney formerly served as a Co-Chair of the Guild’s Women’s Steering Committee and is currently member of the Western Directors Council, an alternate on the DGA National Board, and a Co-Chair of the DGA Diversity Task Force.
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About the Committee:
A subcommittee of the Eastern Directors Council, the Focus on Women Committee explores ways to educate, inform, and create opportunities while highlighting the talents of many of the Guild’s prominent women Directors. The Committee members are appointed by the National Vice President. The members are Directors Laura Belsey, Maggie Greenwald, Sarah Pirozek, Martha Mitchell, Jan Eliasberg, Nicole Kassell, Lara Shapiro, Shari Springer Berman, Annetta Marion, Vivien Vitolo and Sarah Brooke.
The Committee would like to remind members that while their events are designed with a special focus on women Directors, all DGA members are welcome to attend.