Dear AAFSW Community,

With deepest sadness, AAFSW announces the passing of Moises Mendoza. Moises was a person whose deep care for others often made it easy to overlook that he, too, deserved compassion. His dedication and commitment to the Foreign Service community enriched our organization and touched countless lives. He embodied the very spirit of service that AAFSW and the SOSA program strive to honor, and his example will continue to guide and inspire us.

My own experience working with him comes from his role as Chair of the Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA) within the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW). After joining the AAFSW Board in 2022, Moises took responsibility for every aspect of the SOSA program, which honors exceptional volunteer service by those under Chief of Mission authority at U.S. diplomatic and consular posts overseas.

In this role, Moises made a remarkable effort to recognize the often-unseen contributions of Foreign Service community members who go above and beyond, serving with extraordinary dedication and achieving the unexpected. One of his deepest commitments was to honor the many Foreign Service professionals who devote their lives to advancing American values and stewardship around the world.

Moises cared profoundly about humanity and understood the deeply personal nature of serving one’s country. He believed this understanding should be a tool, ensuring that service never became a burden carried alone. In an increasingly complex and noisy world, his message may at times have been overlooked. Yet his legacy is tremendous, and his substantial commitment to doing good will continue to be recognized.

With a master’s degree from Columbia University and the Hertie School of Governance, and a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, Moises was also the recipient of the 2019 W. Averell Harriman Award for constructive dissent by an entry-level Foreign Service Officer. His service included assignments in Matamoros; Port-au-Prince, Haiti, as a political officer; Washington, D.C., as a country desk officer and watch officer in the State Department’s Operations Center; and most recently as a special assistant in the Executive Office of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York.

Moises leaves behind a legacy of service, compassion, and strength. His integrity and empathy shaped every community he touched, and those of us who worked with him will carry his example forward. His impact endures, in the people he uplifted and in the values he lived so fully.

You can learn more about Moises in this video.

Celine

Celine Ford

President

February 17, 2026

Reminder: reach out to a mental health professional, 988 Lifeline, or ForeignASN@gmail.com if you need additional support. Current Department employees can also contact Employee Consultation Services (MEDECS@state.gov, 202-235-7475, option 3).