DENSIL R. PORTEOUS
(he/they)
Executive Director
LinkedIn | Threads | Twitter @densilporteous
Densil Porteous serves as the Executive Director of Stonewall Columbus, one of the Midwest’s largest LGBTQ+ community centers and the organization behind Stonewall Columbus Pride. Since stepping into the role in 2020, Porteous has helped guide Stonewall Columbus through a period of organizational stabilization, strategic growth, and renewed community visibility—expanding the organization’s role as both a service provider and a civic and cultural institution for LGBTQ+ people across Central Ohio.
Under Porteous’ leadership, Stonewall Columbus has strengthened its year-round community engagement efforts through the Pride 365 framework; expanded programs focused on economic development, wellness, and community connection; increased public and philanthropic investment in the organization; and advanced initiatives focused on long-term sustainability, visibility, and belonging. During his tenure, Stonewall Columbus has also continued to grow the Columbus Pride Festival, Resource Fair & March into one of the largest Pride gatherings in the Midwest.
Porteous is widely recognized for his work at the intersection of community engagement, institutional strategy, communications, and equity-centered leadership. His career spans more than two and half decades across nonprofit leadership, higher education administration, strategic communications, advancement, and entrepreneurship.
Prior to Stonewall Columbus, Porteous held leadership and advancement-focused roles with institutions including Kenyon College, Stanford University, Columbus College of Art & Design, and the Wexner Center for the Arts at The Ohio State University. In 2015, he founded DePorteous, a consultancy focused on helping mission-driven organizations strengthen capacity, communications, and community impact.
Alongside his nonprofit and institutional leadership, Porteous has maintained a longstanding engagement in the tech and startup ecosystem, serving as an advisor to a number of early-stage and education-focused ventures. He also previously served as CEO of Pride Fund 1, an LGBTQ+-focused venture capital fund supporting diverse founders and entrepreneurs.
A nationally recognized speaker and thought leader, Porteous has appeared at forums and conferences including the Milken Institute Global Conference, South by Southwest (SXSW), the Eradicate Hate Global Summit, and the Human Rights Campaign National Dinner. His writing and public commentary often explore themes of identity, resilience, belonging, equity, and the evolving role of LGBTQ+ institutions in public life.
Porteous has served in leadership and advisory roles with organizations including the Human Rights Campaign, Advocates for Youth, Equitas Health, The Legacy Fund of The Columbus Foundation, Create Columbus Commission, and Kenyon College.
He holds a Master of Business Administration focused in Marketing & Communications and a Bachelor of Arts from Kenyon College.
Select Speaking Profiles:
- 2023 Eradicate Hate Global Summit https://eradicatehatesummit.org/participant/densil-porteous/
- 2022 South by Southwest®/SXSW https://schedule.sxsw.com/2022/speakers/2054328
- 2022 Milken Institute Global Conference https://milkeninstitute.org/events/gc22/speakers/53197
- 2021 Columbus Metropolitan Club Forum https://columbusmetroclub.org/speaker/densil-r-porteous/
Porteous’ 2020 Selection Announcement
