Former WGAW Senior Executive Jane Nefeldt Dies at 71

Los Angeles – Former Writers Guild of America West Senior Executive Jane Nefeldt died on April 16 in Hermosa Beach, CA, at age 71.

Nefeldt joined the Guild in 1972 in the Operations Department, rose to Assistant Executive Director in 1986, and was later promoted to Senior Executive in 1998. 

After working at the WGAW for nearly 35 years, during which time she was involved with six contract negotiations cycles, Nefeldt retired from the Guild in 2007.

“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,” said WGAW Assistant Executive Director Chuck Slocum.

“Jane was a force of nature. 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 former WGAW Assistant Executive Director Ann Widdifield.

Nefeldt was born on September 24, 1952, in Park Forest, IL, a suburb of Chicago, to her parents Orel & Ellen Haukedhal.

Nefeldt is survived by her husband of 40 years, Denny, as well as many family and friends of “the Sorensen clan.” Memorial services have not yet been announced.

For a photo of the late Jane Nefeldt, click here.