ITVS CEO Sally Jo Fifer is stepping down after more than two decades at the helm of documentary nonprofits

Sally Jo Fifer is stepping down after 22 years as CEO of the documentary production and financing powerhouse Independent Television Service. She will remain in her role while the ITVS board of directors searches for a replacement for Fifer, who joined the organization in 2001 after serving as executive director of the Bay Area Video Coalition.

“What a gift it has been over the past 22 years to serve creators of films that engage and transform our hearts and minds – making us more compassionate, just and wise,” Fifer said in a statement. “They give us hope for a better future.”

ITVS said in a press release, “Fifer has produced more than 1,000 films and documentaries in collaboration with partners including the National Multicultural Alliance, Firelight Media, Kartemquin Films, WNET, WETA and WGBH. Her credits appear on 16 Oscar- nominees, 37 Primetime Emmy winners, 35 Peabody Award recipients These critically acclaimed films and documentaries include titles such as I ain’t your nigga by Raoul Peck Watch the gap by Bing LiuA people of children by Nanfu Wang and Philadelphia DA. by Yoni Brook, Ted Passon and Nicole Salazar.”

During her tenure, ITVS tripled its operating budget from $7.7 million to $23 million, the nonprofit noted. “She recently signed a three-year agreement with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to further secure and protect the voices, editorial control and copyright of independent artists.”

ITVS chairman Garry Denny praised Fifer’s track record as chief executive. “There is simply no substitute for Sally’s combination of integrity, strategic acumen, strong commitment to supporting media professionals and kindness,” he said in a statement. “I know the documentary industry appreciates her for driving ITVS’s programmatic expansion, based on diversity and inclusion and her innovative mindset. The board looks forward to building on all that we have achieved under Sally’s visionary leadership and commitments to ensure continuity of service to ITVS filmmakers.”

Among her long list of accomplishments, Fifer has “raised millions in public and philanthropic funds to increase the impact of documentaries around the world.” Amidst the rise of post-9/11 stereotypes and disinformation, ITVS launched the Global Perspectives Project – a multi-year initiative to connect citizens with citizens and help people in the United States and other countries see each other and better understand Ok noodles and Heart of the Sea: Kapolioka’ehukai by American filmmakers. The Americans, on the other hand, looked at international titles such as Iron Ladies of Liberia and Oscar nominees Waltz with Bashir via PBS and commercial stations.”

San Francisco-based ITVS will work with executive search firm Russell Reynolds Associates to identify Fifer’s successor. CEO Denny said: “I’m incredibly excited about the opportunities ahead.”