AFSP Illinois Chapter Leadership

Board of Directors, AFSP Illinois

Board Chair Philip Martinez, L.C.P.C. (he/him): Phil lost his cousin Mark to suicide in 2004. After seeing the profound effects this kind of loss had on his aunt and uncle and the rest of his family Phil felt compelled to help them, and others, in some way. Phil found that way of helping in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. He became involved with AFSP in 2006. His first experience with AFSP was serving in the role of mental health support staff providing on-site support to participants in the 2006 Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk in Chicago, a role he would serve in once again during the 2009 Walk. Since then he has regularly staffed the mental health tent at the AFSP Chicagoland Community Walk. He also enjoys staffing AFSP tables at various community events, as well. Phil serves on the Speakers Bureau of the Illinois chapter presenting AFSP programs and information to a wide range of audiences. Phil holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois with over 25 years of experience working in the field of mental health. He specializes in working with teenagers and hopes to help them navigate the difficult terrain of adolescence. He has also had his own personal struggles with depression. In his new role as a member of the AFSP Illinois Board of Directors, Phil hopes to continue the mission of AFSP to help all those affected by suicide, and further, to someday live in a world without suicide.

Board Treasurer Michael Bushman (he/him): Writing about mental health challenges, including his own struggles with depression and with suicide ideation as a teenager, inspired Mike Bushman to begin volunteering for AFSP-Illinois several years ago. Since then, Mike has regularly presented AFSP programs and staffed outreach tables. In 2018, he joined the Chicagoland Community Out of the Darkness Walk Committee. Mike is an author/writer focused on mental health and political challenges. His memoir/novella Suicide Escape highlights what he has learned as an adult that he wishes he had understood as a struggling teen. He is currently writing a book about a loss survivor couple who turned the pain of losing their only son into a successful youth development program. Mike has helped develop and facilitated research training programs for suicide attempt survivors. He volunteers for other mental health and youth development programs and regularly speaks about mental health issues. Mike previously worked as a corporate communications executive and congressional staff leader. He earned his bachelors in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, with honors, from the University of Chicago. Mike currently serves as the Treasurer of the Board.

Board Secretary Edmond Yomtoob, Psy.D. (he/his/him): When Dr. Yomtoob lost his mother to suicide over thirty years ago, there was little, if nothing, available to help him with his grief. Years later, after completing his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, he became one of the founding members of the Illinois Chapter of AFSP. In addition to his role as Illinois Chapter President (which he served for 10 years), he conducted the only support group for LGBTQ+ survivor of suicide loss, became a member of the National Loss and Healing Counsel, as well as a member of the training team for Suicide Bereavement Support Group Facilitators (which he continues to this day). Dr. Yomtoob also helped initiate The National LGBTQ+ Taskforce. After a ten-year hiatus, he is very excited about returning to the Board with vigor and enthusiasm. He currently works in private practice providing individual therapy. 

Beth Morrison (she/her): Beth Morrison served as the Director of Wellness and Health Promotion Services at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Beth was the program coordinator for the Garrett Lee Smith Campus suicide prevention grant that SIUC received fall semester, 2016.  Beth implemented suicide gatekeeper trainings at SIU and she is a certified QPR (Question. Persuade. Refer.) Instructor.  Beth introduced the Koru Mindfulness meditation class at SIUC and is a certified Koru Mindfulness Teacher. She is currently a PhD student in the Department of Public Health’s Health Education Program at SIUC. Beth received her Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor. Beth is currently a Trauma Instructor for SIUC’s Trauma Fellowhip program where she provides training on trauma informed treatments and assessments. Beth has provided over 15 years of mental health services in the community and the Department of Corrections. Beth worked in the field of crisis management for over 5 years, and Beth currently operates a private practice, “One Life Counseling & Mindfulness Studio” in January, 2020 where she provides individual and couples counseling part time.  Beth is passionate about the field of suicide prevention after losing two cousins and childhood friends to suicide. Beth believes in the power of hope and the need to increase suicide prevention efforts and mental health treatment in Illinois, and nationwide. She currently serves as the President.

Dimple Patel Psy.D. (she/her): Dimple has her Doctoral Clinical Psychology through the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, National Louis University. She holds a Bachelors degree from DePaul University. Dimple actively participates in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Community Walk as a committee member and team captain for Team Patel, which was developed upon losing her mother to suicide in 2011. Dimple has participated in a project developed by McLean Hospital, the largest psychiatric affiliate of Harvard Medical School, called Deconstructing Stigma: A Change in Thought Can Change a Life (displayed at Boston Logan International Airport). Through this campaign, Dimple has publicly assisted in shedding light on the stigma surrounding mental health issues across the board. Additionally, Dimple has volunteered for other nonprofit organizations dedicated to eradicating the stigma surrounding mental illness and disorders. Dimple is extremely passionate about bringing awareness to South Asian mental issues that are often stigmatized. On her down time, Dimple loves to spend time with family, friends, and her two dogs, Brownie and Cookie. Within the past two years, Dimple has made an active effort to travel as often as she can!

Sean Connolly (he/him): Sean is the volunteer LGBTQ Coordinator for the Illinois Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. He started volunteering with the organization after his sister Alex died by suicide in May of 2013. Alex struggled with a diagnosed mental health condition at the time of her death and struggled to maintain consistent access to critical healthcare throughout her life. Sean has worked in several roles over the years with AFSP. He joined the LGBTQ Committee as a volunteer in 2014, served as field advocate in Washington DC multiple times to advocate for policies endorsed by the foundation, and has served on the board for several years. Sean is driven to work with the AFSP to support a robust healthcare system that treats mental and physical healthcare equally and with full parity. When not volunteering with AFSP, Sean is the co-founder and Executive Director of Helix Education. Helix is a K-12 education non-profit offering a number of programs and resources to students and educators to facilitate social and emotional outcomes for youth of all backgrounds. He is also an adjunct professor at Loyola University Chicago’s Quinlan School of Business. 

Michael Duffy (he/him): Following the death of Caitlin, our 23-year-old daughter, in 2013, I wanted to know who was doing the best work in the area of suicide prevention.  The universal response to my questioning was the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.  My family and I immediately committed to doing all we could to support their work in memory of our daughter and sister. We have been active fundraisers and participants in the Chicagoland Out of the Darkness Walk each year since then.  My participation as a Field Advocate in the AFSP Advocacy Days at both state and national levels has helped me understand the national scope and significance of their efforts.  I am honored to be able to contribute as a Board member of the Illinois Chapter to that increasingly important work.

Anne King (she/her): Anne is a Board Member of the Illinois Chapter of The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.  She also serves on their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.  Anne has served on the board since 2022 but before that has chaired the Out of the Darkness Walk in Kankakee since 2013.  During this time she has also been a Field Advocate spreading advocacy statewide to Washington DC.  Her passion began when she lost her 13 year old sister, Erin to suicide in 1996.  Her mission to bring awareness and support to mental health continued after both her own son and sister have since been on their own mental health diagnosis journey. Anne also serves on the Executive Board for Project Sun of Kankakee County.  Project Sun is for parents and professionals to come together to help children flourish within the mental health system. Education within her community is the most important passion Anne has for suicide prevention.  Currently she is certified to teach Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid, Talk Saves Live, It’s Real for Teens, More Than Sad and Gizmo.  Outside of her volunteer work Anne continues her passion for mental health with her occupation.  Anne is a Crisis Chat Counselor for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.  In this role she is readily able to assist anyone in a mental health crisis and send help when needed.  

Chris Allard (he/him): Chris is the Founder and Executive Director of The Tenth Man Foundation, a suicide prevention organization he started in honor of his brother, Jon Allard Jr, who died from suicide in September 2018.  The term “Tenth Man” is a reference to “Devil’s Advocate” or alternative voice, which is what the organization provides to those who have started down the path toward suicide.  Their focus is to raise awareness about depression and suicide prevention, as well as to provide immediate and confidential help to individuals in need of counseling. Chris became a member of the St. Clair County Suicide Prevention Alliance which led to his involvement with AFSP, initially as a volunteer at various awareness events, and then as the Chairperson for the St. Clair County AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk.  He became a member of the Board of Directors in 2023 and hopes to expand AFSP support in Southern Illinois. Chris has enjoyed an over 30-year career in oil and gas logistics, working for several global corporations.  Much of his career has focused on process improvement and change management, which are skills he has been able to apply to the work he does with The Tenth Man and AFSP. 

Cynthia Paidipati, PhD, APRN, PMH-NP/CNS-BC (she/her): Dr. Paidipati is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Loyola University Chicago. Her teaching, research, and service focuses on mental health, suicide prevention, and health equity. Cynthia is also a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Dr. Paidipati is dedicated to research, policy, and advocacy to reduce suicide and bring hope to those affected by suicide.

Staff, AFSP Illinois

Angela Cummings, Executive Director (she/her): Angela Cummings graduated from the University of Texas and has over 16 years professional experience in non-profit work, including extensive volunteer management and fundraising experience.  Having lost a family member and a close friend to suicide, she is dedicated to the cause of suicide prevention.

Diana Cazares, Special Events Manager: Diana comes to AFSP with development and event management experience with the City of Chicago, Northwestern University, and the American Liver Foundation. Diana directly oversees the Chicagoland Out of the Darkness Walk.

Luma Bonilla-Webster, Programs Manager (she/ella): Luma comes to AFSP with expertise in program management through grassroots community building, movement organizing, recruitment, and group facilitation. She is bilingual Spanish/English. She has experience working with the LGBTQIA+ Community through Invisible Aurora, an organization that created the first Pride Parade in the suburbs outside of Chicago. Luma is passionate about equity, education, and social justice.  She loves to read, and is always open to learning new things.