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Lionsgate promoted Rahwa Ghebre-Ab, a 10-year company veteran, to executive VP and chief human resources officer effective May 1. She’ll take over the role from Ross Pollack, who is retiring after serving as HR chief since June 2014.
Ghebre-Ab will oversee global HR operations in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and India, and she will serve on the company’s executive management and operating committees, reporting to Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer.
Ghebre-Ab joined Lionsgate in August 2014 as head of the studio’s employment law group. She served as the employment legal lead on all corporate acquisitions and helped direct legal and employment matters related to Lionsgate’s launch of offices in Toronto, Beijing and Mumbai. She also partnered with Lionsgate’s HR department on corporate and production response to the COVID pandemic. In 2021, Ghebre-Ab was promoted to become the studio’s first chief ethics and legal compliance officer, with the added responsibility of overseeing and further developing the Company’s data privacy, ethics and compliance programs.
“Rahwa is a rising star who has impressed everyone with her career trajectory and mastery of a wide range of disciplines,” Feltheimer said in announcing her promotion. “Her expertise and problem-solving ability make her a great fit for our entrepreneurial culture and a valuable addition to our leadership team.”
Ghebre-Ab began her career as an employment law litigator at law firm Baker McKenzie in Chicago. She’s a graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Chicago Law School.
Pollack, during his tenure as Lionsgate chief human resources officer, led the rollout of a broad range of employee benefits initiatives, reward programs and health and wellness programs, according to the company. Pollack also helped Lionsgate navigate the pandemic and was a key player in Lionsgate’s acquisition and integration of Starz, eOne and Pilgrim Media Group (now Lionsgate Alternative Television). In addition, Lionsgate employee participation in employee resource groups has more than doubled in the past three years, the company said.
Feltheimer commented, “Ross has played an important role in helping the company navigate the pandemic, two strikes and unprecedented industry disruption, and his warmth, compassion and integrity have earned him the respect and affection of everyone with whom he has worked. We thank him for more than a decade of valuable contributions to our studio.”
