Meet the Founder

Evelyn Kessler is the Founder and Strategic Advisor of International Child Advancement (ICA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding equitable access to education and opportunities that empower underserved children to become self-sufficient and create lasting change in their communities.

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Born in Amherst, New York, to parents from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Evelyn spent eight years living in the DRC before conflict in the region forced her family to relocate to France in 1994 during the aftermath of the Rwandan Genocide. She returned to Buffalo in 1997 to continue her education, carrying with her a deep appreciation for the transformative power of education and the opportunities it can create.

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In 2016, inspired by the resilience of children affected by decades of conflict in eastern Congo, Evelyn founded ICA to address barriers that prevent vulnerable youth from reaching their full potential. Under her leadership, ICA has grown from a grassroots initiative into an international nonprofit serving children in both Buffalo, New York, and Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo through education, food security, economic empowerment, and wraparound support.

 

Today, ICA supports more than 90 students through educational sponsorships, provides over 1,000 nutritious meals each month, equips youth with workforce and life skills, and has celebrated students graduating from both high school and university. Many have gone on to build successful careers while giving back to the orphanage and their communities, reflecting ICA's belief that investing in a child's education creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond the individual.

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Professionally, Evelyn serves as Senior Vice President, Head of Sustainability Communications & Engagement at M&T Bank, where she leads enterprise sustainability communications, education, employee engagement, and strategic initiatives that advance the bank's sustainability priorities.

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After serving as ICA's Executive Director for its first ten years, Evelyn transitioned into the role of Founder & Strategic Advisor in 2026 to support the organization's long-term vision, strategic partnerships, and continued growth while empowering a new generation of leadership.

A wife and mother of two, Evelyn enjoys introducing her family to different cultures through travel, food, and meaningful experiences. Her guiding philosophy—"a hand up, not a handout"—continues to shape ICA's mission of empowering children to build brighter futures for themselves and their communities.