
Kim Callinan is not just an accomplished non-profit leader, motivational speaker, and best-selling author. She is also an expert in organizational management, cultural intelligence, and social change. With two decades of senior-level experience, Callinan has integrated evidence-based research, advocacy, and strategic communications to pioneer social change and foster organizational excellence. As the President and CEO of Compassion & Choices, the largest national non-profit dedicated to improving and expanding end-of-life care, she has become a sought-after thought leader and policy expert.
Callinan’s journey into social change and public health advocacy began when she was just six years old. An unexpected cold front swept through New Jersey, disrupting bird migration patterns and leading to widespread starvation. Witnessing this, Callinan rallied neighborhood kids to make popsicle stick bird feeders, igniting her lifelong passion for social change. Her first foray into public health came at age eight, when she persuaded her father and grandmother to quit smoking, using heartfelt and persuasive messages. This early experience showed her the power of advocacy, leading her to seek broader avenues for societal change.
As CEO of Compassion & Choices, Callinan has driven exceptional growth and profound social change in end-of-life choice and care. The organization’s budget nearly doubled to $23 million, and its staff expanded from 65 to 115 employees. This growth enabled significant strides in advocating for medical aid in dying, addressing end-of-life inequities, and empowering communities to die in a manner consistent with their wishes.
For Callinan, the most rewarding aspect of her work is knowing that Compassion & Choices is fundamentally transforming the way people experience the end of life. “Hearing directly from those who have benefited from our work is incredibly fulfilling,” Callinan shares. She recalls a supporter in Massachusetts who used the organization’s dementia values and priorities tool during her husband’s final days. The tool brought the family together, removing guesswork and allowing them to focus on what truly mattered. “Knowing that our work has such a profound impact on families during their most vulnerable moments is deeply rewarding,” Callinan adds.

Callinan’s experience in managing large teams and budgets has significantly influenced her leadership style. She has honed her communication skills, learned the importance of delegation, and enhanced her ability to navigate complexity and uncertainty. She emphasizes the value of relationship-building and the need to create collaborative, inclusive environments where diverse perspectives are essential to success.
One of Callinan’s most impactful projects before joining Compassion & Choices was “Covering Kids & Families,” a $28 million enrollment campaign sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The campaign aimed to educate families about free and low-cost healthcare through the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and Medicaid. As Project Manager, Callinan contributed to enrolling 5 million children in SCHIP and Medicaid, reducing the number of uninsured children by 1.8 million. The campaign earned more than a dozen industry awards and increased national and state hotline call volumes by 191%.
At Compassion & Choices, advocating for medical aid in dying legislation requires a multifaceted approach. Callinan highlights the importance of amplifying the voices of terminally ill advocates. These individuals bravely share their personal stories, putting a human face on the issue and demonstrating to lawmakers the critical importance of action. “Their selflessness and determination are truly inspirational,” Callinan says.
Addressing end-of-life inequities has been a deeply challenging yet profoundly important aspect of Compassion & Choices’ work. Callinan credits progress in this area to the power of collaboration. “This is not something any single organization can tackle alone; it requires the collective effort of a coalition of partners who bring diverse perspectives, resources, and expertise to the table,” she explains. One significant achievement has been the expansion of telehealth services for those at the end of life, ensuring that more people, regardless of their circumstances, can receive the compassionate care they deserve in their final days.
Callinan’s approach to integrating research, advocacy, and strategic communications is focused on creating a cohesive strategy that drives meaningful social change. She starts by grounding all initiatives in rigorous research, ensuring decisions and actions are informed by solid data. This research forms the foundation for targeted advocacy efforts, where findings are translated into compelling arguments that resonate with policymakers, stakeholders, and the community. Strategic communications amplify these efforts by crafting clear, impactful narratives tailored to different audiences, ensuring the message is widely disseminated and understood.
To other non-profit leaders looking to drive social change, Callinan offers this advice: “Start by understanding the unique landscape of your community. Identify gaps or underserved areas where your nonprofit can make a distinct impact. Embrace boldness. Fear of failure is often the biggest barrier to innovation, but in the world of social change, the only true failure is not trying.” She emphasizes the importance of taking calculated risks, being willing to pivot, and viewing every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Callinan’s lifelong dedication to learning and obtaining specialized certifications has contributed significantly to her success and effectiveness as a leader. She regularly seeks out courses or certifications to address pressing issues, earning credentials in areas such as diversity, equity, and inclusion, end-of-life care, and business management. “Continuous learning ensures that I stay ahead of the curve, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the work we do,” she says. This dedication not only enhances her effectiveness as a leader but also strengthens the impact Compassion & Choices makes as an organization committed to transforming end-of-life care.
Staying motivated and inspired while working on challenging and emotionally intense issues is not easy, but Callinan finds strength in the courage of Compassion & Choices’ terminally ill advocates. “Their determination is unstoppable, and their bravery is a powerful reminder of why I am so deeply committed to this cause,” she says. In moments when she needs to reignite her passion, Callinan reminds herself of the profound privilege it is to lead social change around such a fundamental human right.
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