Eugene Gutierrez steps into Threads of Life role with deep purpose and clear goals
Eugene Gutierrez begins his tenure as the new executive director of Threads of Life with a profound sense of respect for the organization's legacy and a deep personal connection to its mission.
“The transition and working closely with Shirley Hickman and the team has been going very well,” Gutierrez says. “I approach it with a sense of gratitude and as well, a sense of wanting to preserve the core values, the essence of what the organization represents.”
Founded more than 20 years ago, Threads of Life supports families affected by workplace tragedy. For Gutierrez, this isn’t just professional—it's personal. He lost his father in a mining accident in 2017. That experience shaped his journey and led him to the organization, first as a grieving family member seeking support, then as a volunteer, and now, as the person steering the organization forward.
“I didn’t know how to move forward,” he says. “Finding [Threads of Life], reaching out to them, asking for help... it was just out of survival. Seven years later, to even think... that one day I would be given the opportunity to lead the same organization that pieced me back together—it just blows my mind.”
Leading Steps for Life with ambition and heart
Gutierrez takes on the role just as the organization prepares for its flagship event—Steps for Life, a nationwide fundraising and awareness campaign. This year, the campaign includes 32 in-person community walks, in addition to family and corporate events, and a national virtual walk option.
“This is my first Steps for Life campaign in the role of executive director,” he says. “It’s been phenomenal. We’ve been so blessed to have such a successful annual fundraiser walk that stretches coast to coast.”
Gutierrez aims to expand the program’s reach. “One of our goals is that we want more Steps for Life walks to form across the country,” he says. “We see it as a powerful vehicle... not only raising awareness about Threads of Life and the services we provide, but to educate Canadians across the country about the impacts of workplace tragedy.”
The campaign also plays a vital financial role. “We’re proud to say that we offer services at no cost to those who are seeking support. We can’t do that without the generosity of people who give at events like Steps for Life.”
Vision grounded in experience
Gutierrez’s plans go beyond events. His broader vision is grounded in advocacy, outreach, and support.
He prepares to host his first National Day of Mourning virtual ceremony as executive director on April 28—a deeply symbolic event that combines remembrance with a call to action. “It’s important that we instill in people that the Day of Mourning is not only an important day for remembering those lives forever changed, but also a call to action to renew that commitment to improving health and safety,” he says.
As someone personally affected by workplace tragedy, Gutierrez brings not just strategy, but empathy to the role. “Even if I wasn’t inhabiting this role,” he says, “being involved with Threads of Life was always going to be a forever thing. Because they’ve given me so much, and because I believe in the mission.”
Gutierrez describes the opportunity to lead Threads of Life as both an honour and a responsibility. “To commit my personal life in furthering that mission, and now, to be able to commit my professional life towards this cause—I could not think of any other thing that I’d want to spend the rest of my life doing
