Outfest, the world's leading organization dedicated to showcasing, protecting and nurturing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film imagery and artistry, has named Todd Heustess Executive Director. The announcement was made by Outfest Board of Directors Co-Presidents, Angela Courtin and Joe Lupariello. After a nationwide search, the Board of Directors selected Heustess and introduced him to Outfest stakeholders at last month’s annual Legacy Awards, which honored Academy Award®-winning producer Bruce Cohen and NBC Universal.

In making the announcement, Outfest Board of Directors Co-Presidents Angela Courtin and Joe Lupariello praised Heustess and his credentials. "As we look to the future of Outfest and our responsibility to support, preserve and nurture the stories our community, Todd brings to the organization experience from both the non-profit and corporate worlds and most importantly, the passion and commitment to further our goals and mission."

“I am grateful to all the donors and supporters of Outfest and plan to honor their commitment by expanding the reach of our work, discovering and supporting emerging filmmakers and their visions and welcoming new stakeholders and fans to the Outfest family,” said Heustess. “I look forward to working with Kirsten (Schaffer), the Board of Directors and the entire Outfest team as we take the organization to new heights.”

Heustess brings over five years of non-profit experience in development, marketing and operations to Outfest as well as a decade of corporate marketing and strategic consulting. Most recently he was the Director of Corporate Giving at the San Francisco Opera, managing a $2.5 million corporate budget as well as key major donor relationships. The San Francisco Opera, with an annual budget of $68 million, is the 2nd-largest performing arts non-profit organization in the country. Under the direction of Heustess, corporate contributions increased by 25% over a two-year period; he was instrumental in developing systems that enhanced operational efficiency in corporate and individual donor cultivation. Prior to his position with the San Francisco Opera, Heustess ran a consulting business in Miami, specializing in fundraising strategies and opportunities for non-profits in South Florida; clients included the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA), New World Symphony, GLAAD, and the Miami City Ballet. He was instrumental in helping all these organizations reach their annual fundraising goals and in 2005, and 2006 partnered with Cirque Productions to raise over $3 million to support the educational programs of NFAA. Heustess received his MBA from the Garvin (Thunderbird) School of International Management and his B.A. from the University of South Carolina.

Heustess joins a talented team at Outfest that includes Deputy Director Kirsten Schaffer, who has been with the organization for six years, and Kevin Connell who joined Outfest last Spring and was recently promoted to Director of Development.