Meet the Founder
ICA Founder
EVELYN KESSLER
Evelyn Kessler was born in Amherst, NY, to a family originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). She left Western New York with her family in 1986 and lived in the DRC for eight years, her last residency being in the city of Goma. In 1994, the Rwandan Genocide erupted and significantly impacted Goma, DRC. The instability and violence resulting from the genocide spilled over into Goma, prompting Evelyn’s move to Paris, France in 1994. Evelyn returned to Buffalo, NY, in 1997 to continue her education.
Evelyn holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Medaille College and has had a distinguished career in banking. She currently serves as Senior Vice President, Senior Sustainability Analyst at M&T Bank, where she leads various initiatives including sustainability communications, education, and the creation and management of the M&T Sustainability Leader Program pilot.
In 2016, Evelyn founded International Child Advancement (ICA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to empower orphans and underserved children to become self-sufficient through education, economic empowerment, and mentoring. ICA's work is particularly close to Evelyn’s heart, as the atrocities of the ongoing Congo war inspired her to advocate for refugee, immigrant, and underserved youth.
Under Evelyn's leadership, ICA supports an estimated 200 orphans and underserved children annually. On average, 60 orphans in the DRC attend school (K-12), where education is fee-based. Two orphans have graduated from college, and four are currently enrolled in college, pursuing degrees in the medical field. ICA also provides over 1,000 meals monthly and runs vocational training programs to further support these children.
Evelyn is a wife and mom of two who enjoys introducing her children to new cultures through travel and food, fostering curiosity and empathy for the next generation.
Her personal mission is to offer "a Hand Up, not a Hand Out" to the children ICA supports, with the vision that empowering these youth not only benefits them but the global community as a whole.
Learn more about ICA's programs and impact here:
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