Vice President of Crisis Care

Career highlights

Shari holds a BS in Psychology and dual graduate degrees—Master’s and Educational Specialist—in Mental Health Counseling from Florida State University. She has led crisis hotlines across the country, including 211 Big Bend in Tallahassee, Vialink in New Orleans, and the Suicide Prevention Center in Los Angeles. She also served as Deputy Director of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now 988 Lifeline), contributing to the development and growth of a national infrastructure for crisis response. Shari has provided expert consultation to major media outlets, publications, and even Broadway productions on crisis intervention and suicide prevention.

Connection to the mission

Shari’s work is rooted in a deep belief in people’s capacity for healing. Her commitment to suicide prevention is driven by compassion for those in crisis and a desire to change the conversation around suicide—from stigma to strength, from fear to support. She is especially passionate about empowering survivors and making sure every person in crisis has access to compassionate, skilled care.

Didi Hirsch roles

At Didi Hirsch, Shari oversees all suicide prevention services, including the agency’s 988 crisis line operations. She co-created the Survivors of Suicide Attempts (SOSA) support group curriculum, facilitating the group in its early years and co-authoring the training manual that has since been used by organizations around the world. Under her leadership, the Suicide Prevention Center continues to be a national model for innovation and excellence in crisis care.

Meet Shari

Shari is a passionate advocate, gifted trainer, and compassionate leader. She has trained thousands of professionals in suicide prevention and crisis response, always centering human dignity and resilience. Outside of her work, she enjoys time with family, supporting the arts, and continuing her mission to spread hope wherever it’s needed most.