In 1980, Sherry Lansing became the first woman to head a major motion picture studio, when she was appointed President of 20th Century Fox. As an independent producer, and then as Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures, she was responsible for the production, marketing, and distribution of over 200 films, including The Accused, Fatal Attraction, Forrest Gump, Braveheart, and Titanic. In 2005, Lansing created her nonprofit foundation dedicated to cancer research, public education, and encore career opportunities. An inductee of the National Women’s Hall of Fame, she also received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 79th Academy Awards. In 2008, she co-founded the Stand Up to Cancer initiative, whose research Dream Teams help bring promising new treatments to patients faster. As founder of the EnCorps STEM Teachers Program, Lansing is creating pathways for individuals from the technology and military sectors to become science and math teachers in high-need California public schools.

Passionately devoted to Israel, Lansing has visited the country many times and is a founding member of the Y&S Nazarian Center’s Community Advisory Board. She is also a supporter of such organizations as the Jewish National Fund, Bnai Zion Medical Center in Haifa, and the Ayalim Association, which fortifies communities in the Negev and Galilee. In addition, Lansing is a Lion of Judah in affiliation with the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles.