For 20 years, California State Director Stephen Gutwillig has worked for cultural and social change community organizations in Boston, New York and Los Angeles. Prior to joining the organization, Gutwillig served for eight years as executive director of Outfest, the L.A.-based nonprofit devoted to nurturing, exhibiting and preserving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media. At Outfest, Stephen oversaw the launch of the only LGBT people of color film festival and the only LGBT film preservation program in the world.

Gutwillig also previously served as director of development and communications for the Labor/Community Strategy Center, the L.A.-based social and environmental justice organization best known for organizing low-income, transit-dependent bus riders. Gutwillig's experience includes work as a nonprofit organizational development consultant. He currently serves on the Lesbian and Gay Community Funding Board of the Liberty Hill Foundation.

Stephen Gutwillig, as executive director of Outfest, the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, it was announced October 5, in Los Angeles. During Gutwillig's eight years in the position, Outfest expanded efforts to preserve and protect the work of LGBT filmmakers and evolved from an annual film celebration to an organization with year-round programming.