Risa Gertner, Longtime CAA Movie Agent, to Retire in January

Cynthia Littleton
·2 min read
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Longtime CAA film agent Risa Gertner is set to retire in January after nearly 30 years with the agency.

Gertner’s list of clients over the years has included such writers, directors and producers as Tony Gilroy, Barry Jenkins, Kenya Barris, Ron Howard and Simon Kinberg. At present she serves on the CAA board and as served as co-head of the agency’s motion picture group for the past 20 years.

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“I am profoundly grateful to have worked with artists whose brilliance and creativity has shaped popular culture for decades,” Gertner said. “And to have done so surrounded by the most inspired and passionate colleagues has been a gift.”

Richard Lovett, CAA co-chairman, praised Gertner as having served for years as a “guiding force” for the agency. She has helped grow the agency’s film bench, serving as a mentor to such notable agents as Maha Dakhil, Todd Feldman, Joel Lubin, Dan Rabinow and Ida Ziniti.

“Risa is a world-class agent and leader. She has not only been a guiding force in the motion picture department, hiring and mentoring great agents and executives, but has impacted our entire company. We are forever grateful,” Lovett said.

CAA may see more transition in the coming months as the agency settles in to its new ownership regime led by French entrepreneur Francois-Henri Pinault, of the Kering fashion empire for $7 billion. In September, Pinault closed on the acquisition of a majority stake in the agency from private equity giant TPG, which had held the stake for more than a decade.

Last year, CAA also expanded its Hollywood agency turf with the acquisition of ICM Partners for $750 million.

In addition to her work at CAA, Gertner serves on the board of advisors at Providence St. John’s Health Center and for private equity firm Broad Sky Partners.

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