Dawn Hudson, stepping down as CEO of the Academy, sends 'A Final Note' to its members 

Dawn Hudson, whose roller-coaster 11-year tenure as the executive director of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ended Friday, praised Bill Kramer as "a visionary leader" in an email to the organization's members obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, further asserting, "The Academy is in the best of hands.".”While Hudson was expected to stay in her position through July 18, news leaked Friday that her handover to Kramer had been accelerated, and also that her handpicked deputy, Christine Simmons, who has been the group's COO since 2018, had been fired as part of the transition to a new administration.Hudson stated that leading the Academy had been "the privilege of a lifetime," noting that under her tenure it had become "the world's leading academy dedicated to film, a world-class museum, and ready to lead in times of change.".”

Below you'll find the full email - with the subject "A final note from Dawn Hudson.".The Academy is pleased to have Bill Kramer as CEO starting today. It is a visionary leader who will further unite and elevate our global family of artists and will be a great partner to all of you. The Academy will continue to succeed with Bill at the helm, and I look forward to this next chapter of this extraordinary institution. The Academy is in the very best of hands.My sincerest gratitude for serving as your CEO for the past 11+ years and for sharing our mutual love of movies. Thank you for your professional and personal support, as well as your willingness to help the Academy when needed - and you were called upon a lot! You have been dedicated to moving this organization forward in every way.

A legacy institution can be innovative and daring in the way it has built a truly global film organization, a world-class museum, an unwavering commitment to representation, and a modern Academy ready to lead in a changing world. Thank you so much for your time, passion, and expertise in making this happen.I am standing by to support Bill in any way I can, and I am confident he and the newly-elected Board of Governors will chart the best course going forward together. It has been an honor of a lifetime to get involved in such a magnificent endeavor. I leave you with my gratitude and heartfelt respect.