As you may know, after nearly a decade of leading this incredible organization, I have stepped down as president and CEO, and today is my last day on staff. It has been a tremendous honor to work alongside such passionate advocates, volunteers, donors and colleagues who have all contributed to the progress we’ve made. 

I feel immense pride in what we have accomplished. Together, we have expanded the reach of Compassion & Choices and deepened our impact in ways I could have only imagined. Our movement continues to grow, and I believe that now is the perfect time for new leadership to build on the momentum we’ve created.

I am beyond grateful for your support and passion — it has made all the difference.  

Now I’ll pass it over to chief legal advocacy officer and general counsel for Compassion & Choices and the Compassion & Choices Action Network, Kevin Díaz, who will be the interim CEO, to talk about what’s next for C&C:

I want to take a moment to express our deep appreciation for Kim Callinan’s visionary leadership. Under Kim’s guidance, Compassion & Choices nearly doubled its budget to $23 million and staff to 115 nationwide, and achieved significant progress in our mission to advance end-of-life options and rights.

As you well know, Kim has been a tireless advocate: 

• Under her leadership, Compassion & Choices staff, volunteers and supporters have made transformative strides in advancing and defending medical aid-in-dying laws, addressing end-of-life inequities and empowering people to make informed decisions about their care. 
• Through her innovation, our movement has driven profound social change, from normalizing advance care planning for people with dementia to reaching diverse cultural and linguistic communities, with the goal of ensuring all people can access care that aligns with their wishes. 
• She led the way in growing and cementing the Compassion & Choices Action Network as the lobbying arm of the movement and developed the political aspects of the c4 organization, launching it on a trajectory to becoming a formidable electoral force for expanded end-of-life options.

In all of this she has built a strong foundation for the future. Thanks to her dedication, our organization is well-positioned to continue leading this critical movement for end-of-life care and choice.

While we will miss Kim’s leadership, she has been working closely with the board of directors and staff to facilitate a smooth and successful transition. I will serve as interim CEO, leading the organization alongside the strong senior leadership team Kim developed, while the board seeks a successor to take the helm and build on Kim’s legacy of passion and determination.  

As we embark on this next chapter, we are excited about what the future holds for Compassion & Choices. Kim’s legacy will inspire the next generation of leadership to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible and ensuring that every person can experience the end of life in a manner consistent with their values and beliefs.

Thank you for standing with us and continuing your invaluable support of Compassion & Choices as we embark on this next chapter together.

With gratitude and appreciation,

Kim Callinan
President and CEO Emerita,
Kevin Díaz
Interim CEO

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