UTA chooses employees for Live Inspired program as charity initiative hits decade mark

WASHINGTON, D.C., 30 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

United Talent Agency (UTA) has selected five employees for its Live Inspired program, a decade-old initiative that grants staffers a sabbatical to work directly with a nonprofit aligned with their personal passions, as the agency marks the milestone 10th anniversary of the program.

This year’s recipients—Rachel Artmont (endorsements and voiceover agent), Reana Johnson (inclusion associate), Nancy McGinley (client accounting manager), Jillian Raskin (UTA advisory vice president), and Jake Rothman (sports and brand insights director)—will each dedicate their sabbatical to distinct causes. Artmont will design a Make-A-Wish experience for a critically ill child, while Johnson will collaborate with Walk Good LA to host wellness and educational programs during National Kidney Month.

McGinley will participate in a spring celebration for the Coastal Miwok community, continuing her support for Indigenous land conservation. Raskin will travel to Washington, D.C. with L’Arche to advocate for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Rothman will join Biosphere Expeditions in wildlife and biodiversity conservation efforts.

The program’s announcement was made during a company-wide town hall hosted by Nick Offerman, the Emmy-winning actor and UTA client, who also serves on the boards of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Berry Center, a Kentucky-based nonprofit focused on sustainable farming and regional economies.

Offerman’s involvement highlights the agency’s strategy of leveraging its high-profile talent to amplify its social impact initiatives, aligning with broader industry trends where celebrity influence is increasingly directed toward advocacy.

Since its launch in 2016, Live Inspired has supported over 40 UTA employees in partnerships with nonprofits addressing issues from youth empowerment and grief support to food insecurity and environmental conservation. Past participants include Negin Elazari, who worked with Experience Camps (grief support for children), and John McGrath, who partnered with Shadow Jumpers on cycling fundraisers for rare disease research.

The UTA Foundation provides grants to each selected nonprofit, ensuring the sabbaticals translate into measurable impact.

Rene Jones, UTA partner and chief of social impact, framed the program’s evolution as a testament to its enduring value. “Live Inspired was created around a simple idea: give our employees the opportunity to take something they care deeply about and turn that passion into action,” Jones said.

“Ten years and more than 40 recipients later, we’ve seen the impact extend far beyond the sabbatical itself, creating lasting relationships with nonprofits and inspiring our colleagues to stay engaged with these causes for years to come.” The 2026 cohort’s projects reflect a diversification of focus areas, from healthcare advocacy to Indigenous rights and environmental stewardship, signaling UTA’s growing emphasis on intersectional philanthropy.

While the program’s immediate financial impact on UTA’s operations is minimal—limited to the foundation’s grant allocations—the initiative aligns with broader industry shifts toward ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) commitments in entertainment. Competitors like CAA (Creative Artists Agency) and WME (William Morris Endeavor) have similarly introduced employee-driven philanthropy programs, positioning such initiatives as both a recruitment tool and a marker of corporate values.

For UTA, the 10-year milestone also serves as a case study in long-term employee engagement, with recipients often maintaining ties to their partner nonprofits post-sabbatical.

The 2026 Live Inspired participants will begin their assignments in the coming months, with no further details yet disclosed on the duration of their sabbaticals or additional grant allocations. The program’s continuation beyond its first decade suggests UTA’s intent to institutionalize such initiatives as a core component of its workplace culture, particularly as younger generations of employees prioritize purpose-driven employment.

The agency’s move also comes amid heightened scrutiny of Hollywood’s social responsibility, with recent high-profile campaigns—such as UTA’s Jay Sures’ denunciation of antisemitism at the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles gala—further embedding its reputation as a leader in ethical advocacy.

Related: United Talent Agency · UTA Foundation · Nick Offerman · Washington, D.C.