October 8, 2010
Los Angeles, CA – DGA President Taylor Hackford made the following statement upon the passing of DGA Board Member and Second Assistant Director Elena Santaballa:
"Elena was a wonderful woman, an outstanding colleague and a vital member and leader of this Guild since she joined 17 years ago. She dedicated many years in service to the DGA – four terms on the National Board, five terms on the AD/UPM Council, and months at a time for Guild negotiations in 2004 and 2007-2008. In everything she did, Elena always made sure the needs of her fellow Second ADs were fully represented.
"We will always remember Elena for her lively spirit, her thoughtful wise ways, and her tremendous contributions to the Guild. Her passing is a great loss to all of us, and we shall miss her immensely. Our thoughts are with Elena’s family, friends and colleagues."
DGA Service and Awards
Elena Santaballa got her start as a DGA trainee and joined the DGA in 1993. Active in many ways in service to the Guild, Santaballa served on the DGA’s National Board of Directors from 2003-2005 and was currently in the midst of her third term as a Second Alternate Board Member. Santaballa was elected five times to the AD/UPM Council, serving twice as first vice chair and once as second vice chair, and also co-chaired the Latino Committee in 2003. She also served on the DGA Negotiating Committee in 2004 and 2007. Santaballa was a member of the Website Advisory Committee and had been a member of the PAC Leadership Council since 2006.