In a statement released April 24, Documentary Association of Europe announced that Brigid O’Shea has been appointed the sole director of DAE while Marion Schmidt (former co-director) will remain in her seat on the executive board and join the team of senior consultants.
O’Shea will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the association, still operating out of Berlin and supported by colleague Annelise Rethfeldt and the executive board, consisting of herself, Marion Schmidt, Gugi Gumilang, Natalia Imaz and founding board member/chairperson Julianna Ugrin.
Schmidt will take a step back to have more time to focus on her work as a strategic consultant, and mentor, as well as to participate in a year-long mediation and coaching training programme, the statement continues.
The changes were announced “as the association evolves out of its start-up phase and after a yearlong evaluation and discussion process with the board and our advisors, adapting to the changing landscape and the professional aspirations of its co-directors.”
Comments Marion Schmidt: “Brigid is the best possible person for the director’s position, and I am thankful to her that she accepted her appointment. I have full confidence in her capabilities, visions and plans for DAE. The changes to the leadership are to the benefit of DAE and all of us. They will add to clarity and stability for the future of the association. Being part of DAE continues to be exciting and inspiring to say the least. I look forward to continuing my support for DAE and Brigid in her new role.”
Adds Brigid O’Shea: “Marion has been instrumental in the establishment of DAE as a founding member, and her knowledge around building the framework to hold a grassroots network means that DAE has the strongest foundation for its longevity. Her contributions to the many resources DAE now offers its members are of her initiative and network, and we are very lucky that she still has capacity to stay on as a senior consultant and board member.”
Julianna Ugrin, chairperson of the DAE Board adds: “As co-directors, Brigid and Marion have built an important and essential association, the kind we envisioned when we founded DAE. For this, as chairperson of the association, and on behalf of the documentary community, I offer them my grateful thanks. As the DAE has come of age, with more than 700 members, long discussions have resulted in the Board realising that structural changes are needed. I hereby welcome Brigid as Director and Marion as Senior Consultant and we are delighted that they will continue as members of our board.”
