President & CEO of Compassion & Choices and Compassion & Choices Action Network

Dear Friends,

Today, I write to you with deep humility and immense gratitude. After over a decade at Compassion & Choices, most recently serving as Interim President & CEO, it is an extraordinary honor to formally step into this role and lead a movement that is close to my heart, and vital to so many lives.

For over 25 years, I’ve worked in the service of justice and dignity, side by side with individuals and communities seeking to be heard, respected, and seen. That calling, lifting up the voices of everyday people, led me to this work. And it’s why this moment means so much to me.

At its core, what we do at Compassion & Choices is deeply personal. It’s about more than policies or laws, it’s about people. It’s about ensuring that when life nears its natural close, each of us has the chance to make that time reflect who we are and what matters to us. It’s about creating space for love, choice, and humanity in moments that are often clouded by fear, confusion, or silence.

A Future Where Dignity Guides Us

When people ask me why this work matters, I tell them this: because everyone deserves to be in the driver’s seat of their own story, including the final chapter. That’s not just a philosophy; it’s a deeply held belief that informs everything we do.

Too often, people are forced to navigate end-of-life care through systems that feel impersonal, overwhelming, or even hostile. We believe in something different. We believe in empowering people with the knowledge, tools, and support they need to ensure their final days reflect how they’ve lived, with purpose, clarity, and care.

This is more than healthcare. It’s about honoring life by giving people the agency to define how they live until the very end. It’s about centering compassion, not control. It’s about offering choices, not making them for someone else.

Strength in Community

One of the most powerful things I’ve learned in this movement is that real change doesn’t start with institutions, it starts with people. With families gathered around kitchen tables, with caregivers holding space for tough conversations, with individuals finding the courage to speak up for what they want, even when it’s hard.

This work is about community. About showing up for each other in the most tender, vulnerable moments life has to offer. And that’s why I believe so deeply in the power of this movement, not because of what we do alone, but because of what we do together.

Our community is vast and diverse. It spans generations, geographies, identities, and experiences. And yet, we are united by a shared truth: that everyone deserves to face the end of life with the same dignity they’ve lived it. That’s the foundation we stand on.

The Path Ahead

While the world around us is constantly shifting, our resolve remains steady. We’ve faced challenges, and we’ve grown stronger through them. We’ve seen progress that once seemed impossible, and now, it’s our reality. And we’ve done it all without compromising on the values that ground us: compassion, respect, courage, and integrity.

We are not a passive organization reacting to change. We are a movement driving it. And every step we take is guided by one goal: putting the power to make personal, informed decisions into the hands of the people who matter most, you and your loved ones.

Let me be clear: this work isn’t about achieving perfection. It’s about making space for truth and tenderness in a world that often shies away from both. It’s about transforming the culture around dying, not just in law or medicine, but in hearts and homes.

And that kind of transformation doesn’t happen because a few people in leadership demand it. It happens because people like you insist on it. It happens when we come together, learn from one another, and refuse to let silence dictate how our stories end.

A Personal Commitment

As I take on this new role, my promise to you is simple: I will lead with openness, with urgency, and with unwavering belief in the people we serve. I will listen. I will fight for what’s right. And I will make sure that Compassion & Choices remains a place where everyone, regardless of background, belief, or circumstance, feels seen, supported, and valued.

Whether you are here because you’re exploring your options, advocating for a loved one, sharing your story, or simply trying to make sense of what comes next, you belong here. Your voice matters. Your experience matters. And you are never alone.

This movement is powered by people. And that means it’s powered by you.

Thank you for walking this path with us. For your courage, your trust, and your hope for a better, more compassionate future.

Together, we will continue to push forward, with love, with strength, and with purpose.

With gratitude,

Kevin Díaz

President & CEO

Compassion & Choices and Compassion & Choices Action Network

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