About Us
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Meet Jon Stout
President, Ridgeline Stride Consulting Solutions
Jon Stout is a mission-driven leader with over 30 years of experience in nonprofit management, social justice advocacy, independent media, and the arts.
As co-founder of Free Speech TV, Jon helped build a pioneering national nonprofit media network amplifying frontline movements and underrepresented voices. Under his leadership, FSTV grew its reach and influence through groundbreaking programming like Democracy Now!, Rising Up with Justice, independent documentaries, and original coverage of major convenings including Netroots Nation, Bioneers, and No Kings. Building strategic alliances with leading movement partners has been key to Jon’s success and lasting impact.
Past roles span leading-edge arts and advocacy organizations including Los Angeles Filmforum, UCLA Film and Television Archive, and Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center. Civic and political organizing work includes Working Families Party, Poor People’s Campaign, and a US Congressional office and campaign.
Jon has served on the nonprofit boards of Working Films and Boulder Community Access Television. Grant panels and nominating committees include the National Endowment for the Arts, USA Fellows, Independent Television Service, the American Film Institute, and National Black Programming Consortium (now Black Public Media). He has presented at international conferences and film festivals.
Jon’s service has been recognized with the Professional Freedom and Responsibility Award for unwavering commitment to democratic values in media, and a Rockefeller Foundation Next Generation Leadership Fellowship for advancing bold leadership for 21st Century challenges.
Testimonials
Reggie Shuford
Chair of Board, Public Communicators, Inc. / Free Speech TV
Jon is the type of leader - thoughtful, inclusive, fair and strategic - every organization needs. He is the rare combination of excellent interpersonal and operational skills. While his approach is thorough, he knows how to keep things moving. He is creative, responsible and reliable. He doesn't bring ego into the workplace.
Testimonials
Mark Winston Griffith
Co-Executive Director, Free Speech TV
Jon’s principled and disciplined approach has delivered invaluable FSTV partnerships in overlapping social justice, media and philanthropic universes. Jon is also expert in organizational systems building, management, succession planning, strategic planning, strategic communications, donor and foundation development and in media enterprise, just to name a few areas.
Testimonials
Ron Williams
Past Executive Director, Free Speech TV
Jon is both a Zen master of details and consistently capable of shaping long-term strategy like it is second nature. He’s the kind of leader who makes everything he touches better. From writing and HR to budgeting, programming, contract negotiation, strategic planning, team-building, partnerships, and fundraising, Jon’s skill set is absurdly broad.
Testimonials
Sarah van Gelder
Vice Chair of Board, Public Communicators, Inc. / Free Speech TV
I always appreciate Jon’s sharp analysis, insightful assessments, integrity, and transparency. As co-founder and former executive director of Free Speech TV, Jon helped build an independent media network that has received national recognition, including the 2010 Professional Freedom and Responsibility Award for its commitment to journalistic ethics and free expression.
Testimonials
Reggie Shuford
Chair of Board, Public Communicators, Inc. / Free Speech TV
As strategic and accomplished a leader as Jon is, he is also the consummate team player. He displays initiative and steps up when necessary. Importantly, he also knows when to step back. At FSTV, he always kept the focus on the people we served and worked with. For him, it's the work, not the glory, that is his North Star.
Testimonials
Mark Winston Griffith
Co-Executive Director, Free Speech TV
Jon is the type of leader - thoughtful, inclusive, fair and strategic - every organization needs. He is the rare combination of excellent interpersonal and operational skills. While his approach is thorough, he knows how to keep things moving. He is creative, responsible and reliable. He doesn't bring ego into the workplace.
Testimonials
Ron Williams
Past Executive Director, Free Speech TV
Jon is that steady hand and sharp mind every mission-driven organization wishes it had. His leadership style is calm, respectful, and often heart centered. He leads with integrity, shows up with purpose, and somehow avoids making a big deal about it. His sense of ethics isn’t just a talking point, it’s the core principle that guides his work.
Testimonials
Maeve Conran
Past Program Director, Free Speech TV
In both his day-to-day work and in larger strategic decisions at Free Speech TV, Jon always placed social justice values at the center. I’ve seen firsthand how he builds partnerships between nonprofits, social justice groups, and independent media, creating collaborations that strengthen everyone involved.