Labour and human-rights lawyer Victoria Shen — who has worked extensively with entertainment unions, guilds, producers, studios, government and industry organizations — has been appointed the new executive director of the Writers Guild of Canada (WGC).

Shen starts her position on Feb. 27, becoming the first person of colour to lead the WGC, according to a news release.

She replaces former WGC national executive director and CEO Maureen Parker, who was on leave starting in February 2022, and then retired as of September 2022, a WGC spokesperson tells Playback Daily. The CEO title that was used by Parker will not be used at the WGC going forward, the spokesperson adds.

Terry Mark and Neal McDougall, who filled in as acting co-executive directors in Parker’s absence, will each assume the role of assistant executive director.

Formerly the special advisor at the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA), Shen focused on harassment and human rights, launched a national helpline and engaged industry stakeholders to establish codes of conduct, safety guidelines and best practices. She has also served on various industry committees on health and safety, diversity and COVID recovery.

Prior to joining ACTRA, Shen was the director of national industrial relations and counsel at the Canadian Media Producers Association, and was a manager at the Human Rights Legal Support Centre.

She has also served as a faculty instructor for the Osgoode Certificate in Entertainment Law, a board member of the Reelworld Film Institute and Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, and a special advisor for Intimacy Coordinators Canada.

Shen will “lead the WGC during a crucial phase of change and opportunity for Canadian screenwriters,” said the release.

In a statement, WGC president Alex Levine called Shen “a proven leader and a champion of inclusion and diversity” who exemplifies all of the qualities the guild will “need at this time of change and challenge in the Canadian film and television industry.”

Shen said she looks “forward to working closely with our talented members, and other leaders and creators in our industry, to ensure that Canadian stories and storytellers continue to have pride of place in our country and around the world.”

Photo courtesy of the WGC