Julia Naegele was passionate about food security and devoted her life to helping others in need.

In late September, we were saddened to learn that Julia Naegele, who had worked with Chemonics since 2012, was killed in a car accident in South Sudan. Julia was an inspiration to many of us at Chemonics, and we mourn her deeply. Her death is a terrible loss to our team and to her family.

She committed her life to helping others in need. She was in South Sudan working on the Famine Early Warning Systems Network, part of an effort to identify the populations of South Sudan most in need of urgent food assistance. This was a cause she was dedicated to and passionate about. In fact, she dedicated her life to helping others. Before coming to Chemonics, she worked for the East West Management Institute with UNITO assisting the Rwandan Ministry of Trade and Industry, for Partners in Health in Rwanda, and for Action Against Hunger in Haiti, Southern Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

At recent memorial services, in Juba, South Sudan, Washington, D.C., and in Texas, where her family lives, it also became clear to me that she had a tremendous personal impact on all those around her. She was known for her warmth, intelligence, and passion, and person after person told moving stories about how she had made their lives brighter.

Contributions in Julia’s memory may be made to Doctors Without Borders or Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, two organizations that Julia’s family said she loved and believed in. Contributions may also be made to the Julia Naegele Memorial Relief Fund. Julia’s family established this fund to help continue her legacy in providing basic care and relief across the globe.