Washington, D.C., October 23, 2025- 

To the AAS Community:

As many of you already know, Jody Gottlieb passed away unexpectedly on October 1, 2025. In the immediate aftermath of this sad and shocking news, we focused on ensuring the staff of AAS had the opportunity to grieve, with the support they needed. We recognize this will be an ongoing process for everyone who worked closely with Jody. We appreciate all the well wishes extended by the AAS community.

The unexpected loss of Jody, combined with the unpredictable financial environment facing many non-profits at this time, has created a unique challenge for our organization. The AAS Board of Directors has appointed Denise Hyater Lindenmuth, an Interim Executive Solutions Network Member, as our Interim Executive Director. Interim leadership provides AAS the opportunity to assess different aspects of our work and position our organization for long-term success. We look to build a solid foundation for a future leader who will continue to empower individuals toward resilient lives, inspire hope, and prevent suicide through the advancement of suicidology.

We are grateful for Denise’s willingness to provide her expertise during this time of transition. Denise has led both national and local nonprofits and has held leadership roles in for-profit industries in Washington, D.C., and the surrounding metro area for nearly 30 years. 

“As our Interim Executive Director, she will manage daily operations and help ensure that our staff and board are supported and effective, and that our programs and operations run smoothly without interruption, while also assessing best practices for sustainability,” says Jenna Mehnert, Board Chair, American Association of Suicidology. “She will also help us identify actions to advance our mission and ensure that our organization continues to meet the needs of the community we serve, our funders, industry stakeholders, and staff.”

The AAS Board of Directors and staff members are open to any suggestions, questions, needs, or concerns about our programs and services. Please reach out to boardchair@suicidology.org.

Sincerely,

The American Association of Suicidology Board of Directors