About IWRC.

  • At the IWRC, our mission is to empower and support refugee and immigrant women by providing a safe and inclusive community-driven space that focuses on Adult Education, Health Literacy, Workforce Preparation, Family Literacy, and Community Building. By addressing these areas, we aim to improve the lives of women, their families, and communities and promote social justice and equity. We are committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment that fosters learning, growth, and empowerment for all women.

  • All of IWRC's educational programming is presented in a hybrid manner. Participants can attend classes, workshops, and one-on-one sessions in person, synchronously streamed online, or watched online at a later date. This hybrid approach relieves issues of transportation, childcare, work schedules, accessibility, and more. To serve one another best, we aim to present nimble programming that is responsive to the lives of our participants, volunteers, and staff.

    Click here to learn more about the details of our program pillars.

  • As an organization dedicated to providing educational and community-building programming for refugees and immigrants, we affirm our commitment to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. We believe that all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, have the right to live with dignity, respect, and equality.

    We stand in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community and recognize the unique challenges LGBTQIA+ refugees and immigrants face. We understand that many individuals in this community have experienced discrimination, persecution, and violence in their home countries and may continue to face similar challenges in their new host communities.

    Therefore, we are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ refugees and immigrants through our programming, services, and the continued education of our team and volunteers regarding the ever-changing needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals. We will work to provide resources and support that address the specific needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals, including access to information, education, and community-building opportunities.

    Furthermore, we will continue advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promote acceptance and understanding within our organization and communities. We recognize that promoting LGBTQIA+ rights and inclusion is essential to our work in promoting social and economic integration, protecting human rights and dignity, and contributing to society's overall well-being and prosperity.

    In conclusion, we are an ally and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all individuals, including refugees and immigrants, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

  • Terminology is vital to understanding the context and legal distinctions between refugees and immigrants. Although the general public often uses these terms interchangeably, there are crucial distinctions between "refugee," "immigrant," etc. Learning the technical terms and their definitions is essential in understanding the legal rights of refugees and preventing the spread of misinformation.

    Click here to learn more about the terminology used by IWRC.

  • "The Whys" is a deep dive into IWRC's mission, participants, and program pillars.

    Click here to learn more.

  • "What is social entrepreneurship? Well, it’s the act of starting a business, with the main objective being to help solve a social issue. Social entrepreneurs start businesses because they have the desire to find solutions to social problems and affect positive change, or social impact, through their business ventures."

    - Darya Jandossova Troncoso

    Click here to learn more about IWRC’s social entrepreneurship.

Our Core Team.

  • FOUNDER / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Katie is from rural North Carolina but now lives in Los Angeles. She has a BA in International Relations, an MA in Curriculum and Instruction, and an MA in Refugee Protection and Forced Migration Studies. She has been working in education and refugee resettlement for 15 years.

    katie@iwrcenter.org

  • DIRECTOR OF ART & DIGITAL MEDIA

    Originally from a small town in western North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, Sheena met IWRC's Founder, Katie, at age 11. With more than two decades of friendship behind them, Sheena wholeheartedly believed that the vision for the organization would coalesce based on Katie's unshakable determination, integrity, and commitment to leading with kindness. Sheena joined the IWRC at its inception. Their shared values and complementary skill sets create exceptional synergy.

    Sheena's academic background is in Art History and Photography. She worked as a creative professional for over a decade prior to working for IWRC. Sheena leads IWRC’s graphic design, branding, web development, and social media.

    As a queer woman, Sheena's mission is to support and uplift other queer people. She understands the importance of representing the LGBTQIA+ community within the organization and is committed to ensuring that the organization grows with this community in mind. As IWRC expands, Sheena looks forward to contributing to developing IWRC's LGBTQIA+-specific programming.

  • DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT

    Iryna has a Master's Degree in Law from Donetsk National University, complimented by a post-graduate LL.M. in Public International Law at the University of Vienna. She has demonstrated a history of program implementation and team management with ICRC in Ukraine and Right to Protection, one of the largest domestic NGOs. Her work experience spans humanitarian assistance, education in emergencies, advocacy, human rights, and litigation, emphasizing serving conflict-affected communities, internally displaced, and refugees. Iryna is admitted to the bar and insolvency practice in Ukraine which were her areas of expertise while working at the law firm.

  • BOARD OF DIRECTORS / PRESIDENT

    Elizabeth has worked in nonprofits for over a decade and is a published author. Her novel, Compass Rose, explores a future United States that erupts into civil war and Americans become refugees. Elizabeth has lived in Chicago, New York, and Paris and now lives in Los Angeles. She has an MA in International Relations and an MA in International Affairs focusing on conflict resolution.

  • BOARD OF DIRECTORS / SECRETARY

    Natalya Zernitskaya was born in Belarus and moved to the United States with her family after the fall of the USSR. After growing up in the Bay Area, she attended UC Santa Cruz and earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics. After graduating from college, she moved to Los Angeles and became involved in issues-based advocacy. In addition to her full-time job as a Senior Due Diligence Analyst in the financial services industry, she serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the IWRC, Secretary and Executive Committee member for the Human Relations Council of the Santa Monica Bay Area (HRC), and sits on the Advisory Board for Climate Action Santa Monica (CASM). She has previously served in various other roles, including President of the League of Women Voters of Santa Monica (LWVSM), Committee Member on the City of Santa Monica's Audit Subcommittee, Treasurer for the LWVSM, and Secretary of the Administrative Board of Directors for the Church in Ocean Park. Natalya has also previously worked as a freelance stage manager and props designer for theatrical productions in the Los Angeles area. She is passionate about advocating for positive change in her community, with a particular focus on the issues of housing, social justice, criminal justice reform, and women’s rights.

  • BOARD OF DIRECTORS / SECRETARY

    Kate Nelischer is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University at Buffalo. Her research interests center on the governance of planning, design, and development processes, including community engagement. Previously, Kate served as the Assistant Dean of Academic Planning and Governance at the University of Toronto Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, and she has taught at the University of Waterloo, Toronto Metropolitan University, and the University of Toronto.

    Kate’s research interests are shaped by her professional planning, urban design, and community engagement experience across the public and private sectors. She previously served as a Senior Public Consultation Coordinator for the City of Toronto, helped to launch the City of Brampton’s first Office of Community Engagement, and worked for the Toronto-based consulting firm The Planning Partnership Ltd. With a professional background and interest in government-led public consultation, Kate has authored several reports on best practices for public consultation, including a white paper on conflict management for the International Association for Public Participation and, more recently, a report on improving policy outcomes through more inclusive consultation for the Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance.

    From 2013 - 2022, Kate served on the National Board of Directors of YWCA Canada, the country’s largest feminist women’s multi-service organization. At YWCA Canada, Kate chaired the Nominating Committee, participated in the Diversity Strategy Task Force, Governance Committee, and Young Women’s Leadership Committee, and was nominated to the World YWCA Board of Directors Nominating Committee as the Canadian delegate. Motivated by experience with the YWCA, Kate has undertaken research projects on the history of purpose-built women’s housing in Toronto. She has more broadly published on women’s rights to the city. Kate has presented this work at the UN Women Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces Global Leaders Forum and has organized related expert panel events, such as a recent forum in collaboration with the University of Toronto School of Cities, the Institute for Gender, and the Economy.

  • BOARD OF DIRECTORS / DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE

    Doaa Rashed, Ph.D., is an associate teaching professor in the English Department, director of the Language Engagement Project, co-director of the Language and Social Justice Initiative, and co-leader of the Year of Languages Initiative in the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University. Over the past 20 years, Doaa has been a language teacher, teacher educator, and teacher trainer in Ecuador, Egypt, and the United States. She has served in numerous leadership roles in local, national, and international organizations, such as Maryland TESOL, serving as President and Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee; the TESOL International Association, serving as Chair of the Non-Native English-Speaking Teachers Interest Section and Local co-Chair of the 2014 TESOL Convention and Expo Currently, she serves in Africa ELTA, serving as a mentor of emerging women leaders.