Jennifer Gonring, the co-founder of the premier Hollywood political consultancy, Gonring Lin Spahn, has stepped down as CEO and launched an independent firm, Principle Partner.
As part of the new arrangement, Gonring will become chief strategy officer at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, the charitable arm of the performers’ union.
Gonring specialized in philanthropic and non-profit work at GLS, which advises power players like Jeffrey Katzenberg and J.J. Abrams and Katie McGrath. GLS is also responsible for organizing major fundraisers for Democratic candidates, including last year’s George Clooney-Julia Roberts fundraiser for President Biden in downtown Los Angeles.
Gonring is expected to remain a “principal strategist” at GLS even as she sets up her own shingle.
She and Andy Spahn have worked closely with the founders of DreamWorks — Katzenberg, Steven Spielberg and David Geffen — for decades. When DreamWorks was sold to Paramount in 2006, they left the company to form their own firm, originally called Andy Spahn & Associates. It was renamed Gonring Spahn in 2014, and later Gonring Lin Spahn, when Jennifer Lin was named managing partner.
Principle Partner will offer strategic consulting and executive coaching services, both as an external advisor and in-house to certain clients.
“I’m most energized by opportunities to fully integrate with featured organizations — deepening their work and driving long-term strategy,” Gonring said in a statement. “At the same time, I’m curating a portfolio of clients who benefit from fresh, external perspective to advance key initiatives, drive campaigns, and develop creative projects.”
In an email, Spahn said that Gonring will continue to work with GLS.
“Jennifer has stepped down as our CEO to devote her time to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation in a new leadership role there,” he said. “She’ll continue to partner with us on selected projects moving forward. All good.”
GLS has offices in Los Angeles and Washington and also represents corporate clients like Anheuser-Busch and AT&T.
Courtney B. Vance, the chairman of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, called Gonring’s appointment a “big win for us.”
“I cannot believe how fortunate we are to have Jennifer in-house,” added Cyd Wilson, the foundation’s executive director. “Her focus on crisp communications and stakeholder partnerships will elevate our already exceptional programs.”
