Who we are

About Us

G. PG. PG-13. R. NC-17.

The green or red screen before the trailer.

These are synonymous with the movie viewing experience, and we’re the team that brings them to life.

For nearly sixty years, we’ve protected creators’ rights to tell the stories they want to tell while also providing American parents with advance information about the level and type of content in movies so that they can make viewing choices for their individual children. As a group of current parents, our mission is to assign a rating that most American parents would agree with. We start by asking ourselves, “What would I want to know about this film before I let my kid see it?”

In 2018, the Film Ratings System marked its 50th anniversary. Through the decades, the rating system has gained credibility and acceptance with audiences and today it stands as the gold standard of voluntary industry self-regulation. Read the 2018 “G is for Golden” report below for more on the rating system’s history.

G is for Golden Report: The MPAA Film Ratings at 50

Meet cara

CLASSIFICATION AND RATING ADMINISTRATION

Kelly McMahon

Executive Vice President and Chair of CARA

Kelly McMahon is Executive Vice President and Chair of the Classification and Rating Administration for the Motion Picture Association, a role in which she oversees the industry’s voluntary movie rating system.

She joined the MPA in 2007, and advised the association on a variety of legal matters, both domestically and globally, including corporate governance, privacy, employment law, and contract negotiation. In 2017, she became counsel to CARA and the Advertising Administration, in which she provided guidance about the rating and advertising rules, advised the CARA leadership, and oversaw the Appeals Board process. She was named Deputy Chair of CARA on November 15, 2018 and assumed the role as Chair of CARA on May 6, 2019.

Negeen Papehn

Director of Policy and Business Operations

Negeen Papehn serves as the Director of Policy and Business Operations for the Motion Picture Association’s Classification and Rating Administration (CARA). In this role, she helps manage the day-to-day operations of the industry’s voluntary film rating system, oversees the development and implementation of policy for the rating process, leads special projects focused on enhancing the efficacy and accessibility of the rating system, and promotes an understanding of the importance of content ratings in helping parents make informed decisions about films their children watch.

Negeen joined the MPA in 2022 after practicing dentistry for 15 years. She is also a published author, and her most recent novel was published in 2021. She holds a Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Northridge. Negeen was born and raised in southern California, where she currently lives with her family.

Matt O’Connor

Senior Rater

Matt O’Connor serves as Senior Rater in the Motion Picture Association’s Certification and Ratings Administration. In his role, Matt spearheads the film-rating process, leading ratings-related discussions among CARA Board Members and facilitating communication between CARA, studios, producers and filmmakers.

Matt came to CARA after a 25-year career in marketing where he created infomercials, designed e-commerce websites and ghost wrote several books, mostly on fitness and nutrition. He also has written a novel and a non-fiction book on American politics, but his proudest accomplishment and favorite job is being a dad.

Mario Moogan

Senior Rater and Filmmaker Liaison

Mario Moogan is Senior Rater and Filmmaker Liaison for the Classification and Rating Administration for the Motion Picture Association, a role where he leads the Rating Board and helps filmmakers navigate the process of rating a film.

Mario joined the MPA in 2012 as a Rater and quickly set himself apart as a leader, and advocate for both parents and filmmakers. In 2017, he became Senior Rater and led the Board in its discussions and ratings determinations. He stepped in the additional role of Filmmaker Liaison for CARA in August 2024 and continues to offer filmmakers guidance and support.

ADVERTISING ADMINISTRATION

Marilyn Gordon

Executive Vice President & Chair,
Advertising Administration, and Vice Chair, CARA

Marilyn Gordon began at the Motion Picture Association in 1985. Marilyn is the Executive Vice President & Chair, Advertising Administration, and Vice Chair, Classification and Rating Administration, and is responsible for the review of all advertising and publicity materials created for motion pictures submitted for a rating, prior to their use and distribution to the general public. As EVP, she enforces the advertising standards and is held accountable for a fair review of all materials submitted by member companies and independent distributors. Marilyn’s role necessitates the constant monitoring of current events, trends, and sensitivities, and must be in touch with how consumers will react to advertising in the marketplace, especially as directed to children. As appropriate, she formulates new guidelines, in order to protect both the organization’s constituency and the general public. Marilyn reports directly to the Chairman and CEO, Ambassador Charles Rivkin.

Marilyn joined the MPA as Assistant to the Director of Advertising Administration, and has been promoted many times throughout her MPA tenure. Prior to joining the MPA, Marilyn was Circulation Manager for an educational magazine The American School Board Journal in Chicago, Illinois.

Marilyn attended David Myers University in Ohio and majored in marketing; she currently holds Academy of Motion Picture membership, in the Public Relations Branch.

Yulia Dashevsky

Senior Vice President, Deputy Chairwoman, Advertising Administration, Motion Picture Association

Yulia Dashevsky joined the Motion Picture Association in 1989 as an Advertising Administrator and has been promoted many times throughout her MPA tenure. Currently, she serves as Senior Vice President and Deputy Chairwoman, Advertising Administration.

In this role, Yulia oversees staff responsible for approving all audio/visual and printed advertising for theatrical and home video motion picture releases, as well as acting as a liaison between studio publicity departments and public relations agencies to negotiate premiere and screening dates and press events.

Yulia served as a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) press credentialing committee for fifteen years.
Yulia attended the University of Houston with a focus on Business Administration and then the California State University, Hayward, where she obtained a BA of Business Ethics and Real Estate Appraisal.

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