We Fortify Mourns the Tragic Passing of Vice President Anna Carmichael

WASHINGTON, D.C. — We Fortify is mourning the heartbreaking loss of Anna Carmichael, a respected colleague and friend who died on August 23, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. after battling cancer.

Carmichael served as Vice President of Strategy and Operations at We Fortify, where she was known for her intelligence, strategic vision, humility, and deep commitment to the people and communities the organization serves.

According to We Fortify, Carmichael joined the organization on August 1, 2025, after earning her MBA from Georgetown University in May 2025. Although her time with the organization was relatively brief, her impact was significant.

In a statement shared by We Fortify, the organization described Carmichael as someone whose presence transformed the workplace and the people around her.

The team said her energy was “contagious” and she was welcomed wherever she went, while her dedication to the organization’s mission earned her the admiration and respect of her colleagues.

“We are grieving her loss while also beginning to discuss how we will memorialize Anna through the work she completed and the plans we shared for the future,” We Fortify said.

A Life of Achievement and Passion

Carmichael was originally from Colorado Springs, Colorado, and was also an accomplished equestrian during her college years.

A graduate of Goucher College, she made her mark in collegiate riding competitions, including an outstanding 2014 season. As a sophomore, she became an IHSA National Champion and Zone IV Champion in Novice Fences, helping her team achieve a sixth-place finish at nationals.

During her junior year, Carmichael became a Reserve Zone Champion and finished fifth nationally in Novice Flat. As a senior, she again earned Reserve Zone Champion honors in Novice Flat, securing her third trip to the national championships.

Her accomplishments reflected the same qualities colleagues later admired in her professional life: discipline, determination, leadership, and a commitment to excellence.

A Lasting Tribute to Anna

For the people at We Fortify, Anna was much more than a talented professional. She was a colleague who became a friend, a source of energy and someone whose influence reached far beyond her job title.

Her ability to combine intelligence with humility made her a special presence. She brought enthusiasm into the rooms she entered and approached her work with a genuine concern for the people and communities she was trying to serve.

The organization said it intends to honor Anna by continuing the work she cared about and carrying forward the plans and ideas she helped develop.

“We absolutely believe her legacy will continue through the lives and communities she cared so deeply about,” We Fortify said.

That legacy will live not only in the projects she helped shape, but also in the people she encouraged, the colleagues she inspired, and the communities she worked to strengthen.

Anna Carmichael will be remembered for her brilliance, compassion, humility, and remarkable energy. Her time with We Fortify may have been too short, but the impact she made will remain a meaningful part of the organization’s story.

We Fortify extends its love and gratitude in remembering Anna, while colleagues, friends, and loved ones continue to mourn her loss.

May Anna’s memory be a source of comfort to everyone who knew and loved her, and may the work she believed in continue to carry her legacy forward.