LIPA graduate elected as president of Oscars organisation

Management graduate and Hollywood film producer Lynette Howell Taylor has been elected president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organisation behind the Oscars. 

Lynette, who graduated from LIPA in 2000, has produced over 25 films including A Star is Born, which was nominated for eight Oscars. Her other credits include The Accountant, The Accountant II, Captain Fantastic, and the upcoming feature Roofman. She says it all started at LIPA. 

“LIPA is where I laid the foundation for my career. I met my first creative collaborators there and learned how to work closely with artists across disciplines from around the world. I owe a tremendous amount to the educators I studied under and the mentors I had. I’m forever grateful to have earned my degree there”. 

Lynette with Acting grad Lisa Stokke (1998) at the 2020 Oscars 

Lynette previously served for three years as vice president and chair of the Academy’s Awards Committee and produced the 92nd Oscars show with Stephanie Allain in 2020, for which she was nominated for an Emmy. She says being made president is a great honour. 

“Storytellers give so much of themselves to create movies that entertain, enlighten, educate and motivate. It is a privilege to have been elected to serve the over 11,000 members of this organisation. One I take seriously and not for granted. 

“When I think of my younger self, growing up in Liverpool and just loving movies, she quite simply wouldn’t have believed this was possible. Eternal gratitude to this Board of Governors for your support and trust." 

Based in Hollywood, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a professional honorary organisation with the aim of advancing the arts and sciences of motion pictures. Membership is open to qualified filmmakers and the Academy is best known for its annual Academy Awards - the Oscars. 

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Top image: Lynette at LIPA during a visit in 2019. Photography by Deana Kay