CASP Appoints Andrew Perez as Executive Director - Canadian Association For Suicide Prevention

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2025

Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention Appoints Andrew Perez as Executive Director

Perez assumes leadership of the pan-Canadian organization as it enters new phase of ambitious growth.

TORONTO – Tuesday, October 21, 2025 – The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Perez (he/him) as permanent Executive Director following a competitive national search. Andrew previously served as Interim Executive Director throughout a four- month period following nearly three years of service on CASP’s Board of Directors, including in the role of Board Vice President.

An experienced leader and passionate advocate for suicide prevention, Andrew assumes CASP’s leadership at a critical juncture in the non-profit’s 40-year history with a clear mandate to guide the pan-Canadian organization into a new phase of ambitious growth and impact.

“The Board is unanimous in expressing its strong confidence in Andrew’s leadership,” said Marilyn Irwin, President of the CASP Board of Directors. “In a short period of time, Andrew has distinguished himself as Interim Executive Director providing steady leadership, clear direction and a renewed sense of momentum across the organization.”

“His commitment to stronger partnerships, more robust sponsorships, transparent governance and greater public and brand awareness of CASP’s work reflect our ambitions as we develop a new strategic plan that will guide the organization’s core priorities over the coming years.”

Andrew is an accomplished and empathetic leader who brings over 12 years of varied experience across the fields of public affairs, strategic communications and politics having previously worked for Members of Parliament and in the Ontario Premier’s Office. More recently, he founded his own communications consultancy where he has supported non-profits in the mental health and human rights sectors with strategic communications and media relations counsel.

Andrew is also a nationally recognized media voice. His numerous bylines and commentary have appeared in leading Canadian media outlets such as the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, TVO and CBC News. Grounded in community, Andrew serves as President of the Board at Fife House, Canada’s largest provider of supportive housing services for people and families living with HIV/AIDS. He holds a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University, a Master of Public Policy from the University of Toronto and a certificate in public relations from U of T’s School of Continuing Studies, where he teaches digital communications strategy.

“Andrew is deeply committed to CASP’s mission and has already demonstrated an ability to inspire staff, Board members, volunteers and sector partners with a clear national vision for suicide prevention and life promotion,” said Dr. Jeffrey Ansloos, Past President of the CASP Board of Directors.

“Andrew is an equity-informed leader who understands it’s more important than ever to ground CASP’s advocacy in the experiences of those with lived and living experience of suicide or suicide loss. I’m confident CASP will continue to evolve as a stronger, more visible and ultimately more sustainable organization under his guidance.”

A Strategic Shift: Four Pillars for Organizational Renewal

As CASP celebrates 40 years of Hope, Advocacy and Action, the national charity has made the difficult decision not to convene a National Suicide Prevention Conference in 2026, traditionally held annually in a different Canadian region. Instead, CASP will refocus its resources and leadership capacity toward strengthening the non-profit across four strategic pillars:

1. Federal Advocacy: Leverage CASP’s recent federal Pre Budget Submission by strengthening its engagement with decisionmakers to advance evidence-based, distinction-based suicide prevention strategies and sustained investments in life promotion initiatives that reflect the interests of CASP’s members, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples.

2. Public Communications & Earned Media: Build on CASP’s recent national media coverage by developing unified messaging that elevates suicide prevention and life promotion work in the national conversation and among the organization’s network of partners.

3. Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with governments, corporations, research institutes, foundations, community organizations and Indigenous groups through CASP’s First Peoples Circle to strengthen and expand CASP’s pan-Canadian programming.

4.Fundraising & Sponsorship: Diversify CASP’s existing funding streams through securing government grants, corporate sponsorships and foundation partnerships to safeguard the charity’s long-term financial sustainability.

As always, CASP will act as a national convener across the suicide prevention and life promotion sectors, continue to leverage its dozens and dozens of pan-Canadian volunteers involved in its Working and Advisory Groups – all while building on the recent successes of its online webinars planned around World Suicide Prevention Day and International Day for People Impacted by Suicide Loss.

“It’s an incredibly honour to serve as CASP’s Executive Director at this consequential moment in the organization’s journey,” said Andrew Perez. “I feel buoyed by our momentum in recent months: a strengthened Board of Directors, an elevated brand, a renewed advocacy voice, deepened relationships with allied stakeholders and amplified programming that has made its mark.”

CASP’s recent successes have laid the groundwork for its next phase: one where the non-profit’s success will be measured by its ability to listen, collaborate and build trust with the communities most impacted by suicide. “This is deeply relational work,” said Perez. “Our growth must always reflect compassion and equity and be anchored in the lives of those with lived and living experience.”

About CASP:

The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) is a pan-Canadian registered charity at the forefront of suicide prevention, intervention, postvention and life promotion initiatives for more than 40 years. CASP envisions a Canada without Suicide and a world in which people enjoy an optimal quality of life, are long-living, socially responsible and optimistic about the future. Governed by a dedicated Board of Directors, CASP is supported by several dynamic committees, advisory and working groups. Since 1990, CASP has convened a national suicide prevention conference annually in a different Canadian region.   

To learn more about CASP, its advocacy, communication and education efforts, please visit our website or contact us.    

Media Contact 

Andrew Perez 
Executive Director  