Boone Isaacs, a marketing executive who has served stints at Paramount and New Line, became the first African-American to head the 87-year-old Academy and only the third woman to serve as president when she was first elected to the post last year. Actress Bette Davis held the job for just two months in 1941, and screenwriter Fay Kanin served for four years from 1979-83.

As president, Boone Isaacs serves as the public face of the Academy — taking part in the annual Oscar nominations announcements and also appearing on the annual Academy Awards telecast. She's already put next year's show, which will take place on Feb. 22, in motion with the announcement that Craig Zadan and Neil Meron will produce for the third year in a row.