Josh Austin currently serves as the National Director of United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE. Prior to USA 829, Josh worked as the Communications & Membership Director at the NewsGuild of New York, where he was instrumental in building a culture of organizing and a member-led union alongside an incredible team of colleagues. While at the Guild, he was part of and led numerous campaigns that resulted in thousands of newly organized media and communication workers, historic contract wins across dozens of agreements, and an institutional change that resulted in more member-led and collaborative culture. In addition, his work at Actors' Equity Association culminated in reinvigorated and innovative communications, organizing tactics, and internal staff alignment that reshaped comprehensive engagement across the union.

Knowing that solidarity wins out, Josh has centered his educational tenure within the arts by exploring and studying leadership, organizational effectiveness, and collective activity in labor, arts organizations, and the entertainment industry. With two master's degrees (Arts Journalism; Arts Administration) and a decade-long career in the labor movement, Josh has combined his passion for both academia and social collectivity to actionably—and scientifically—further how we can work together to build shared, flexible, and collective resilience. He is currently a doctoral candidate in the University of Kentucky's inaugural Arts Administration PhD cohort. His work focuses heavily on organizational vitality and adaptability, underscoring collaborative efforts, systems-based thinking, and a meaningful hands-on culture that values and includes all stakeholders.