RCUSA Promotes Emily Wood to Director of Programs

Washington, DC – Emily Wood, who joined Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) in February 2022 as Program Associate and has served as Program Officer since January 2024, has been promoted to the newly created position of RCUSA’s Director of Programs, effective September 15, 2024. 

Emily has been the staff lead responsible for RCUSA’s member-led Resettlement Committee and its subcommittees, as well as its new Gender-Based Violence working group, which she played a key role in developing earlier this year. 

In her new position as Director of Programs, Emily will continue her management and leadership role in relation to RCUSA’s programmatic committees and working groups. She will take on enhanced oversight responsibility for special projects—including RCUSA’s work to advance refugee leadership, and efforts to strengthen RCUSA’s organizational infrastructure. 

Prior to joining RCUSA, Emily worked in refugee resettlement at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Arlington (in Arlington, Virginia) and Journey’s End Refugee Services (in Buffalo, New York). She holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs from George Washington University. 

“This well-deserved promotion recognizes the excellence of Emily’s work, her professional growth, and her invaluable service to the RCUSA coalition at a time of unprecedented change, challenges, and opportunities related to the protection and welcoming of forcibly displaced persons,” said RCUSA Executive Director John Slocum. “It is a pleasure working with Emily and I look forward to continued partnership with her as our new Director of Programs.”

Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Washington DC, is a coalition of 41 member organizations that serve and advocate for refugees and other forcibly displaced people. RCUSA mobilizes expertise, ideas, and influence to protect the rights of forcibly displaced people and build more welcoming societies. 

Media Contact: Mariam Sayeed, msayeed@rcusa.org

RCUSA is a diverse coalition advocating for just and humane laws and policies, and the promotion of dialogue and communication among government, civil society, and those who need protection and welcome. Individual RCUSA members do not all address all refugee-related issues, nor do all individual members approach common refugee-related issues identically.

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