What does it mean to feel truly supported as an artist, not only in times of crisis but throughout one’s creative career? In our Season 3 premiere, Jennifer sits down with Elena Muslar — executive coach, educator, arts administrator, and Managing Director of The Career Center at the Entertainment Community Fund. Elena breaks down how the ECF can assist throughout one’s creative journey and shares resources that empower artists to embrace their worth, achieve growth, and pursue their dreams. Together, they encourage artists to view asking for help as a right, not a last resort, reframing support as a strength, and positioning stability and self-care as essential for lasting growth. They challenge us to redefine success and resilience through a holistic approach, reminding all of us that in choosing the creative life, we deserve a community that sees, values, and stands by us every step of the way. 

Elena Muslar Bio: (She/Her), Managing Director of The Career Center, joined the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund) in 2023. She oversees the national strategy and implementation of all Career Center services and programs including Career Counseling, Creative Workforce Development, the Career Transition for Dancers program, the Teaching Artist Program, and the Creative Entrepreneurship Project which all intentionally center the holistic enrichment of professionals navigating the performing arts and entertainment industries. Elena has spent the last 15 years of her career as a catalyzing advocate for creative workforce equity through various leadership roles in arts management, arts presenting, career coaching, nonprofit consulting, and higher education. Proudly dedicated to empowering creatives throughout their professional development journeys, from early career to executive moves or freelance projects into enterprising ventures, Elena, a native of South-Central Los Angeles was honored with a commendation from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in 2019 for her leadership in the arts & creative economy, commitment to cultural equity & inclusion, and dedication to community affairs & civic pride. Elena is a graduate of the UC Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute, a UCLArts & Healing certified Social Emotional Arts Facilitator, holds an MFA in Theatre Management & Creative Producing from CalArts, and received her BA in Theatre Arts (with concentrations in Dance, African American Studies, and Education) from Loyola Marymount University.

Entertainment Community Fund Website: https://entertainmentcommunity.org

ECF Career Center: www.entertainmentcommunity.org/services-and-programs/enrich-your-career

ECF IG: @ALifeInTheArts

Elena’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/elenamuslar

Elena’s IG: @lelemariecreates

ECF Emails: [email protected] [email protected]

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