Steven Spielberg, representing the directors branch, and Laura Dern, of the actors branch, are among the new members who have been elected to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’s board of governors* for the first time, the Academy announced yesterday.

    As the academy has undertaken initiatives* to diversify its ranks, two new minority members have joined the board, African-Americans: Sharen K. Davis, a two-time Oscar nominee for “Ray and Dreamgirls,” who was elected to rep* the costume* designers branch, and Roger Ross Williams, an Oscar winner for the short documentary “Music By Prudence,” who was elected to rep the documentary branch.

    Other new, first-time board members include Laura Karpman, music, and Kevin Collier, sound.

    The number of women on the board remains essentially* the same, however. The outgoing board included 18 women. The newly elected board includes 17 women, although one more could be added depending on the outcome* of the film editors branch election. The balloting* in that contest resulted in a tie between Maryann Brandon and Mark Goldblatt, and a run-off election will be held that will begin on July 25 and conclude on July 28.

    (SD-Agencies)