Damien S. Kawalek- Navarro
30 years building businesses, brands, and experiences at the intersection of media, sports, entertainment, and culture.
Giving back is not a discipline; it's a way of life.
IMPACT: Areas & Experience
Restoring the Future
IMPACT Partners
Areas of IMPACT
ENTREPRENEURS
ENTREPRENEURS
ENTREPRENEURS
My early journey as an entrepreneur of color has taught me that entrepreneurship is a powerful vehicle for change yet is fraught with numerous hurdles and barriers. Therefore, I am dedicated to supporting the next generation of visionary leaders to overcome those challenges.
- Guest lecturing at NYU, Chapman, UCI, and UCLA within their MBA and undergraduate courses.
- Sitting on the boards of Think LA and the OC Ad Club
- Mentoring queer and BIPOC business owners with StartOut, CES, and at SXSW.
- Helping Latino entrepreneurs turn their ideas into impactful ventures with the Tampa Bay Wave.
SPORTS
ENTREPRENEURS
ENTREPRENEURS
As a former competitive queer athlete with a disability, I have grown up in a culture that is not always welcoming or believe in the value of investing in those they deem unworthy. I believe that supporting programs that empower underrepresented athletes will help them achieve their full potential.
- Producing, coaching, and investing in local sporting events like OUTWOD and youth sports programs.
- Advocating for mental health resources, research, and education like the Williams Institute and Weingart Foundation.
- Developed inclusive sports initiatives with organizations including Special Olympics Southern California, Easterseals, youth athletics, adaptive programs, and community partners.
HOMELESSNESS
ENTREPRENEURS
HOMELESSNESS
Over the years, I have witnessed close friends, family, formerly incarcerated artists, and colleagues find themselves unhoused due to lack of access to healthcare, mental health, addiction, or life events. My work focuses on supporting programs that provide immediate relief as well as long-term solutions that address the root causes of systemic homelessness, especially for children.
- Advising organizations like The Laundry Truck LA, Save the Children, and Keep A Child Alive.
- Funding and managing Street Med and Mobile Clinics in Liberia, Alaska, India, California, and Haiti.
- Developing programs to reduce recidivism in partnership with Neuehouse and LARentry.
- Advocating for policy changes endorsed by the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
ARTISTS
ARTISTS
HOMELESSNESS
My dedication to the arts is fueled by my early struggles after graduating from a public film school and finding limited opportunities and resources. Tomorrow's storytellers must be given the freedom and resources to reflect and shape the world through their creativity, transparency, and bravery.
- Producer and Visionary behind Storytellers United, The Netflix Screenwriting Lab, and Noche Iconica.
- Engaged in market research and co-programming with BAFTA, Sundance, The Golden Globes, and the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences.
- Partnered with GLSEN, NALIP, Film Independent, Women in Film, and the WGA
- Spearheaded streaming platforms, Videomart, The Out Museum, and Outfest+
- Established scholarships and film collaborations with Netflix, Amazon, Warner Bros. Disney, and Concord Music.
CLIMATE
ARTISTS
CLIMATE
As an urban farmer who has also lived in Alaska, Oregon, and California, I have witnessed the impact of climate change. I have a deep commitment to preserving the environment for future generations.
- Volunteering and donating to conservation efforts like the Indigenous Environmental Network.
- Working with sustainable businesses and publishers like The Cool Down, Intel, Politico, Samsung, & Guardians of Nature to drive their missions.
- Promote initiatives and legislation that combat climate change and encourage responsible land stewardship like TreeHuggers.
ANIMALS
ARTISTS
CLIMATE
Animals, wild and domestic, have always held a special place in my heart since I was a kid, bringing home every species I could find as a child. I was obsessed with becoming a marine biologist. The bond recently from adopting dozens of pigs, chickens, goats, dogs, cats, and even a sulcata tortoise, has only fueled my passion for protecting animal welfare.
- Developing strategic plans, consulting, and volunteering with rescue organizations like Best Friends Animal Society.
- Advocating for the humane treatment and protection of animals by supporting the World Wildlife Fund and the Marine Mammal Center.
- Investing in future technology and emerging products that can feed billions without animal sacrifice or suffering.
MEDIA Experience
KEYNOTE SPEAKING
Broadcast opening welcome and speech of Outfest.
PODCAST INTERVIEWS
Interview for Advocate Magazine's Channel
GUEST PANELIST
KRCW, FI, & MOCA's: The New Wave Conference
The Inclusion Diaspora of Hollywood Panel
TALKSHOW GUEST
Interview for Latine' Queer Talkshow, The Q Agenda
LIVE NEWS FEATURED GUEST
Morning Show Appearance on KTLA 5 - Los Angeles
EVENT CORRESPONDENT
Correspondent at premiere of Amazon's Anything's Possible
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Article and Photo Essay by Guest contributor Damien Navarro for Out Magazine
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT
The Executive Director of Outfest and partners Vimeo and Hyundai discuss new virtual and digital consumer experiences.
Innovation
BRAND PARTNERSHIPS
INNOVATION & ENTERPRISE Case Studies
ARC InstaTemp
Go-to-market B2B/B2C commercialization of non-touch thermometer rollout into 35,000+ locations.
GOLFZING, launched in 2010, was designed to provide discount tee times, connect golfers online, and deliver specials and events at golf courses throughout the United States right to members’ inboxes. The website also lets members instantly book tee times, play fantasy golf, connect with other golfers, get detailed course information and buy and sell golf equipment.
Collaborated with McKinsey & Company to research and develop a
post-COVID-19 recovery strategic plan for Outfest. The strategy focused on leveraging technology and partnerships to rebuild community engagement, restore organizational sustainability, and strengthen the overall impact of Outfest’s mission.
This initiative included the development of new digital platforms, expanding global programming, and innovative revenue streams that resulted in a 250% increase in engagement.
Outfest+, a next-generation streaming network with 8 channels developed in partnership with Eventive.
Best Friends Animal Society Agency of Record
Contributor to a future-setting white paper published by the Sundance Institute envisioning a media arts system that repairs cycles of harm and places restorative values at the core of institutional design.
GROWTH: Brand, Revenue, Partnerships & GTM
Walgreens & Comic Relief Red Nose Day campaign and content.
Walgreens & Comic Relief Red Nose Day campaign and content.
Walgreens & Comic Relief Red Nose Day campaign and content.
Walgreens & Comic Relief Red Nose Day campaign and content.
Walgreens & Comic Relief Red Nose Day campaign and content.
Rebranding, full-media re-design, and marketing strategy for a large State University.
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