David Henry Hwang and others named to board of Entertainment Community Fund

The Entertainment Community Fund has announced four new board members. David Henry Hwang, Robert (Toby) McDonough, Frank Nocco and Katherine Oliver were appointed to the board of the national human services organization, which provides financial assistance, health and wellness services and more to the entertainment industry. The announcement was made at the Fund’s annual board meeting on June 5.

Playwright Hwang won a Tony Award for his 1988 play “M. Butterfly.” A three-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, his play “Yellow Face” will make its Broadway premiere in October.

McDonough is the treasurer of Local One, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). With Local One, he serves as a trustee to the pension, welfare, annuity and training funds, as well as co-chair of the union’s political action, budget and finance committees.

Nocco is the head of Weil’s U.S. Structured Finance and Derivatives law practice, as well as co-head of the Global Structured Finance and Derivatives practice.

Oliver is a founding principal of the philanthropic consultancy Bloomberg Associates. She held a tenure as commissioner of NYC’s Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment from 2002-2013.

Tony nominee Annette Bening will continue as chair of the Fund’s board.

“We are elated to continue to work with Annette in her role as chair, and eagerly welcome David, Toby, Frank and Katherine to our board,” said Fund president and CEO Joe Benincasa in a statement. “With their background, expertise and commitment to the advancement of the Fund’s mission, we are confident that their leadership will help us continue to provide for the unique needs of performing arts and entertainment professionals now and for many years to come.”

“As I enter my second year as the Fund’s board chair, I reflect on all we’ve accomplished,” Bening said. “Recently, the entertainment community has faced a sea of challenges, and the Fund has stepped up to provide relief through services that address increased financial, housing, health care and career needs. We also proudly launched the public phase of our $160 million “Essential” campaign, created to expand our existing programs and grow our capacity to help more people throughout the country.”