Sixteen years after the death of their 13-year-old daughter, Emily, in a car crash on Pacific Coast Highway, Michel and Ellen Shane continue to honor her legacy through advocacy, education and a renewed call for safer roads across California.
Michel Shane, a Hollywood producer known for films including “Catch Me If You Can” and “I, Robot,” co-founded the nonprofit Emily Shane Foundation and has become a leading voice for traffic safety in California. This year, Shane is raising awareness through The Empty Chair Club, a public safety campaign that uses the image of an empty seat at the family dinner table to highlight the lasting impact of traffic-related deaths.
The initiative aims to encourage safer driving habits and supports efforts to improve roadway safety, particularly during this time when L.A. is welcoming visitors for major international events, including the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Beyond traffic safety advocacy, the Emily Shane Foundation serves underserved middle school students in Los Angeles and Ventura counties through its Successful Educational Achievement Program, which provides tutoring, mentorship and academic support. Since its founding, the program has served more than 1,200 students and was named California Nonprofit of the Year in 2024.
Learn more about The Empty Chair Club at gosafelyca.org/empty-chair-club and the Emily Shane Foundation at emilyshane.org.
