Sean McManus joined Film Independent in 1998. As Senior Director, he is part of the team responsible for overall management of the organization and oversees the development and diversity departments including contributed and earned revenue streams for the organization. Prior to Film Independent, he served as Director of Major Gifts at the American Film Institute. Prior, he worked as a fund raising professional at the University of Southern California School of Engineering, serving as Director of Corporate Relations, Associate Director of Major Gifts, and Assistant Director of Annual Giving. He is a graduate of the USC Marshall School of Business.  McManus is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization that provides suicide assistance for LGBTQ youth. He was born in Dayton, Ohio.