Louisville, KY (December 4, 2025) —
Fund for the Arts’ Board of Directors has appointed Brett Shepherd as the Interim President and CEO of the organization, starting January 1, 2026. Shepherd has served as the organization’s Chief Development Officer since August 2022.
In June 2025, current President and CEO Andre Kimo Stone Guess announced his plan to depart Fund for the Arts at the end of June 2026, completing five years at the helm of the organization. Guess will work alongside Shepherd in the transition period.
“Brett has been critical to the success of Fund for the Arts since starting in 2022, and I am so grateful for him for stepping into this leadership role,” said Guess. “I’m excited to work together to ensure a smooth transition for our stakeholders and staff.”
Shepherd was appointed interim President and CEO by the Fund for the Arts Board of Directors, chaired by Scott Schaftlein, following a recommendation made by the board’s Transition Committee, chaired by past FFTA Board of Directors chair Nicole Yates.
“In making this decision, the Transition Committee prioritized the sustainability of the institution and in continuing mission-driven work in accordance with our values,” said Yates. “We are so grateful for Andre and his vision for the Fund, for our arts ecosystem, and the work he has done to champion both over the past few years. As a committee, we look forward to working with Brett, Andre, and the rest of the Fund for the Arts leadership team and board of directors over the coming months on the next phases of the leadership transition.”
“Brett Shepherd brings a proven record of collaborative, visionary leadership to Fund for the Arts, paired with a deep commitment to our mission and a demonstrated ability to drive successful fundraising,” said Schaftlein. “The Board has full confidence in his ability to guide the organization forward with both strength and heart.”
A Louisville native, Shepherd has a longstanding commitment to philanthropy in his hometown. After graduating from Bellarmine University, Shepherd started his fundraising career at the Frazier History Museum. In the decades since, he has led major gift initiatives at Waterfront Botanical Gardens and Kentucky Performing Arts, where he led fundraising efforts for the development of Old Forester’s Paristown Hall. He recently graduated as part of the Leadership Louisville Class of 2025.
“I’m deeply honored to lead FFTA in this role,” said Shepherd. “For many decades, the arts have served as the pulse of our community. Now, more than ever, they play a pivotal role in the cultural and economic vibrancy of our city while also promoting healing, healthy neighborhoods, and youth development. I’m excited to work alongside the FFTA staff and board to ensure the arts are supported and thriving throughout our greater community.”
With support of the board, Shepherd plans to uphold the Fund’s current vision, mission, values, and strategies to help the institution through this transition period. Along with other members of the Fund’s leadership team, he hopes to ensure that all FFTA stakeholders remain connected, informed, and engaged with the organizations and the art ecosystem they support.
Click here for the Fund for the Arts FY25 Highlights Sheet.
ABOUT FUND FOR THE ARTS
Fund for the Arts is a regional nonprofit with the mission to contribute to the overall health and well-being of our community by generating resources for, investing in, and supporting our local arts, artists, and arts organizations. The Fund envisions a healthy and vibrant community where everyone embraces the art that exists in our lives every day, everyone contributes to the well-being of our arts community, and it is understood that everyone belongs to the arts community. The organization facilitates the largest arts grant program in Greater Louisville and it conducts one of the two oldest united arts campaigns in the country. For more information, visit www.fundforthearts.org
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