AFSP’s 2025 Chapter Leadership Conference: One Mission, One Organization

The 2025 Chapter Leadership Conference may be my favorite American Foundation for Suicide Prevention event of the year. Our Out of the Darkness Community Walks are amazing, of course, and fundraising events throughout the year are always a fantastic reminder of how our work impacts so many. But CLC (or just “leadership,” as some of us call it) is the BEST. The event this year was in Houston, bringing together 400 or so dedicated volunteers, along with AFSP’s incredible staff, to spend four days together immersed in this work that means so much to us all.

Things had a bit of a rocky start for me… I shared a ride from the airport with my fellow Chapter Leadership Council member Lisa Riley. We talked non-stop on the drive to the hotel. As I approached the counter at the hotel to check in, however, I realized I’d somehow left my phone in the Lyft (GASP!) With no phone or access to my Lyft account to track the driver, I began to unravel. I mention this because, as I started to completely freak out, I was (literally) surrounded by my AFSP family, also in the lobby checking in, who leapt into action to help me get a message to the driver, and more importantly, offer support and calm me down. This part of the story ends with me getting my phone back later in the day, but also reminded me of what an amazing group of people we are, offering care and support to each other when we’re needed most.

Chapter Chair Meetings are a Thursday afternoon CLC staple, bringing together volunteer chapter chairs from across the country to exchange ideas, success stories, and challenges. After that, it’s a presentation for all CLC newcomers, AFSP 101/Conference Orientation, this year led by Ali Walker (National Capital Area Chapter) and Keon Lewis (North Carolina Chapter), and then a Welcome Reception, hosted by our amazing Houston Chapter.

The conference kicked off Friday morning with welcome remarks from AFSP COO Mike Lamma, SVP Chapter Operations Janice Hurtado, followed by the Leadership Message from AFSP CEO Bob Gebbia, who stressed the importance of chapter volunteers to AFSP’s work. The success of our organization depends on the leadership of our volunteers, on both local and national levels. AFSP’s values, Bob reminded us, include WELLNESS (taking care of each other and ourselves), ACCOUNTABILITY (to our fellow volunteers and our supporters), TRANSPARENT LEADERSHIP, ATTITUDE & INTENTION, DIVERSITY EQUITY & INCLUSION (hold for applause from CLC volunteers!) and COLLABORATION & ENGAGEMENT (working together with leadership, staff, other chapters) for continued success. Among exciting new initiatives, Bob noted the continued dissemination of AFSP's education program L.E.T.S. Save Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for Black and African American Communities , as well as the ongoing implementation of AFSP’s Construction Industry Initiative in partnership with Bechtel

Our conference Keynote Address, "The Unexpected Power of Selflessness," was delivered by MSNBC / NBC News Anchor Richard Lui, who shared his family’s story of caring for a loved one whose health is declining due to Alzheimer’s Disease.

"AFSP’s Construction Industry Suicide Prevention Initiative" was the title of an incredibly well-received plenary session, led by AFSP Senior Vice President of Programs Trisha Calabrese, that included Ray Stenglein (Minnesota Chapter), Ian Perry (Michigan Chapter) along with Matt Coburn and Natalie Wane of Bechtel Corporation. Estimates are that suicide rates for those in the construction industry can be double that of the general population. The session detailed the partnership between AFSP and Bechtel, and was a powerful reminder of the importance of caring for those who, we may be surprised to hear, struggle with their mental health.

As always, conference breakout sessions covered a great deal of territory for chapters: "Guidance for Supporting Survivors of Suicide Loss," "Safeguarding Data and Privacy in Nonprofits," "Telling Stories with Data," "Building Synergy Between Staff and Board Chairs," and "Sponsorships" were all presented Friday afternoon.

Acknowledging that the conference can be a “heavy lift,” emotionally speaking, Friday night was a great opportunity for attendees to have some social time and meet and connect with other volunteers while taking in some of the local flavor of Houston.

Saturday morning comes early, especially for the Chapter Leadership Council, who attend a 7am meeting with Mike Lamma, Bob Gebbia, national staff, and national Board Chair Ray Paul. While we all cherish our time together, we keep lobbying (without success) for a later start on Saturday morning!

In her CMO Address, “Advancing Our Mission, Growing Together,” Dr. Christine Yu Moutier spoke inspiringly about reminding volunteers and staff that, “We are a big tent, and AFSP is a community for everyone.” With updates about how we continue to successfully advance AFSP’s mission, along with reminders of the impact we continue to have, it was an upbeat presentation, gratefully received.

In her plenary, " AFSP Research at Work: What We’ve Learned About Sleep and Suicide Prevention," Dr. Jill Harkavy-Friedman opened with a thank you to attendees for funding and supporting the research that informs everything we do. It was then time to welcome Dr. Tina Goldstein, AFSP Grant Recipient and member of AFSP’s Research Grants Committee to discuss: “Does Sleep Play a Role in Suicide and Suicide Prevention?”

There was much interest in the next plenary, considering what an unprecedented and complicated time it is in our country. "AFSP Public Policy Priorities and the Federal Landscape: Advocating for Bipartisan Suicide Prevention Policies with a New Administration and Congress" was presented by AFSP Executive Vice President and Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer Laurel Stine, along with Scott Rising, Chair of AFSP’s Public Policy Council, Donna Birkholz (AFSP Wyoming Chapter), and Claudia Rodas (Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids).

Chapter Leadership Conference Breakout Sessions are always lively and well attended. Led and presented by staff and volunteers, a tremendous amount of work goes into these, and an incredible amount of information and expertise is shared. Saturday afternoon, there were two separate sessions. Session 1 topics included "Programming for the Faith Community," " Construction Hike for Hope: A Blueprint for AFSP’s New Signature Fundraising Event," "Leading with Purpose: Becoming an AFSP Advocacy Ambassador," " Ethical Reporting is Not Just for Journalists," and " Stewardship: Donor stewardship is not just about thanking donors; it's about actively engaging them in the impact of their giving."

For Session 2, topics ranged from "Understanding and Preventing Suicide in Underserved Communities" and "Preventing Suicide in Veteran and Firearm Owner Communities," to " Hosting a Campus Walk That is Out of This World," "The Hero of Your Own Journey: Telling Your Story to Inspire Hope and Raise Understanding," and "Board Excellence and Effective Leadership."   

With the hard work of the day behind us, it was time for Saturday night’s Chapter Awards Banquet. The banquet is always billed as a raucous affair, and this year’s party did not disappoint. Awards and recognition for top chapter fundraising and program delivery were presented, amidst applause and ovations, and plenty of laughter and cheering. It was a marvelous antidote for the hard work of the day.

Sunday is always bittersweet for me, as it signals the beginning of the end of our time together. At the back of the session meeting rooms were hundreds of suitcases and carry-on bags, as attendees prepared to head to the airport directly from the conference.  After some Self Care, led by the amazing Amy Grosso (AFSP’s Central Texas Chapter), it was time for “Walk Talk: Keys to Successful Community Walks,” the final plenary of the conference.

Chapter Leadership Conference is always a meaningful event, giving volunteers and staff across the country the opportunity to learn the latest in suicide prevention, share inspiration, and light the way to the year ahead. We left Houston energized and more engaged in this important work that we have chosen to be a part of, taking back to our local chapters and communities new ideas and renewed enthusiasm for a cause that affects communities and individuals everywhere.