ICM talent agent Lorrie Bartlett has made a historical career move. She has been brought on to her agency’s board of directors, the Los Angeles Times reports. Per ICM, this makes Bartlett the first black board member of a major Hollywood agency.
Bartlett’s appointment makes her the fourth woman on ICM’s 11-member board. She will serve alongside Esther Newberg, Jennifer Joel, and Janet Carol Norton.
Bartlett began at ICM in 2008. She became co-head of the firm’s talent department in 2011 and made partner the following year. Regina King, Lucy Liu, Laverne Cox, and Ruth Negga are among her clients. Bartlett is also a founding member of Time’s Up.
“In the community, she has real respect of her peers,” said ICM managing director Chris Silbermann. “She’s the full package.”
Bartlett’s move to ICM’s board comes in the wake of the company’s vow to improve the gender balance among its ranks. In 2017 ICM pledged to reach full 50–50 gender parity by 2020 with a special focus on leadership roles.
“Our agency should reflect the way the world looks. To have a diversity of perspectives can only enhance the way you go about doing business,” Bartlett said. “I think that’s a huge bonus when you’re not looking at the world just through one set of eyeglasses.”
