A Family For Every Orphan Executive Director Micala Siler Has Passed Away

Every Orphan (“AFFEO”) Executive director, Micala Siler has sadly passed away. She was reported to have died on Wednesday, September 30, 2020. Micala Siler cause of death was never disclosed to the public. The Kiev, Ukrainian resident was born on December 19, 1978.

Micala Siler was killed in an apparent attack while she was jogging in the Ukrainian capital.

According to the police she was found unconscious near the railroad on Tolbukhin Street in Kyiv with a severe head injury and later died in hospital.

The statement said the police were looking for a tall, dark-haired man in shorts, T-shirt and running shoes, aged about 30.

The Family For Every Orphan has released an official statement  via their Facebook page on the death of Micala Siler

Excerpts from the statement

A Family for Every Orphan (“AFFEO”) is heartbroken to announce the unexpected death of its Executive Director, Micala Siler, on Wednesday, September 30, 2020.

“Under Micala’s incredible leadership, thousands of orphans and families across the globe have been helped. Her guidance, wisdom, and heart for orphans and vulnerable children have made a tremendous impact on who we are today,” said David Melilli, Board Chair.

“All of us who had the privilege of working with Micala knew her passion and spirit for helping orphans and vulnerable children,” said Sarah Wolfe, Director of Programs and Grants. “She was a true light and joy to all around her.”

“Micala was instrumental in growing AFFEO’s infrastructure—she was with AFFEO from nearly the very beginning, growing us from a fledgeling organization to where we are today,” shared Board Vice-Chair, Melinda Mandell. “She was also a cherished and respected leader in the wider global orphan care movement, spreading the vision of family-based care.”

Micala served as AFFEO’s Executive Director since 2010. She is survived by her husband and four daughters. Please join us in praying for the family.

The Board of Directors expects to make further announcements regarding the plan for succession in the coming weeks.

The Embassy of the United States of America, Kyiv has also reacted to the death of Micala. In a series of tweets, they stated that the organisation and authorities were working to know what may have caused Micala Siler death.

The tweet read below.

We are heartbroken to report the death of an American member of the U.S. Embassy Kyiv community. Officials from U.S. Embassy Kyiv are currently working with authorities to determine the circumstances of the death.

We are heartbroken to report the death of an American member of the U.S. Embassy Kyiv community. Officials from U.S. Embassy Kyiv are currently working with authorities to determine the circumstances of the death.

— U.S. Embassy Kyiv (@USEmbassyKyiv) September 30, 2020

Micala Siler graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2001 and holds an MS from the University of Missouri-Rolla. She is the first female graduate of the U.S. Army Sapper Leader Course, and she commanded troops during two combat tours, one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. The oldest sister of seven children (two adopted from the US), her biological family also served as a foster family when she was a teenager.