Jane Nefeldt, a longtime WGA West Senior Executive who was involved in six contract negotiations, has died. She was 71. The guild said she died April 16 in Hermosa Beach, CA, but did not provide other details.
Born on September 24, 1952, in suburban Chicago, Nefeldt joined the Writers Guild in 1972 in the Operations Department, rose to Assistant Executive Director in 1986 and was promoted to Senior Executive in 1998. She retired from the WGA in 2007 after nearly 35 years, ahead of its 100-day strike against the studios.
“Jane was a force of nature,” said former WGAW Assistant Executive Director Ann Widdifield. “I met Jane in 1979 on my first day working at the WGAW. She mentored me and taught me the ropes. We hit it off immediately and stayed close friends and work colleagues over four decades. At the guild, she was always one of the smartest people in the room. Staff, writers and even company representatives relied on her expertise in interpretation of the guild’s contract. Writers owe a large debt of gratitude for the innumerable ways she enriched their livelihoods. I will miss Jane dearly as my friend who made my life full of joy.”
Said current WGAW Assistant Executive Director Chuck Slocum: “Jane was a common-sense professional who had an encyclopedic knowledge of the guild contract. She educated two generations of guild advocates. She was a zealous representative for Hollywood writers, who have collectively earned millions more dollars because of her decades of efforts. I benefitted greatly from working with her and knowing her.”
Nefeldt is survived by her husband of 40 years, Denny, and many other family members. A memorial service has not yet been announced.
