Kirsten Schaffer has been named the next Executive Director of Women In Film, Los Angeles. Schaffer previously served as Executive Director of Outfest, the prominent LGBT media arts organization.

“Kirsten’s
exceptional and wide-ranging skills in leadership and management, fundraising
and financial oversight, [and] strategic partner relationships and programming make
her the ideal person to take Women In Film to the next level as we build and
refine our programs, identifying lever points to stop women from falling out of
sustainable Hollywood industry careers,” said WIF President and veteran producer Cathy Schulman.

Of her new appointment, Schaffer stated, “Women In Film is at the nexus of a growing movement of women and men committed to improving gender parity in the entertainment industry. I am honored to work with such an esteemed board of directors to lead this charge.”

During her time at Outfest, Schaffer launched a number of new programs for the organization, including the Fusion LGBT People of Color Film Festival. Schaffer, who has a history in film programming, small-business management, and arts administration, was previously named one of POWER UP’s “Top 10 Women in Show Business.”

WIF’s former Executive Director, Gayle Nachlis, will now serve as the Senior Director of Education for the organization. Schaffer will take over the reins of Executive Director on April 1.

Schaffer’s appointment is part of a broader restructuring of WIF. As a press release for the non-profit organization explained, “WIF’s
reorganization has been implemented to meet the
express goal of serving women better and to increase opportunities for women
and girls in the media industries. WIF’s focus going forward will be on
advocacy for industrywide change and on education to better prepare women to be
competitive and receive their fair share of limited resources.”