Atlanta Executive Director Ellen Beattie Named Regional Director for the Atlantic

Following nine years at the helm of the International Rescue Committee in Atlanta, we are pleased to announce that Executive Director Ellen Beattie is moving into a new executive leadership capacity at IRC as Regional Director for the US Programs Atlantic Region.  In her new role, Ellen will oversee seven US program sites in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, and Florida.  Although as Regional Director she is part of a national headquarters team, happily Ellen will remained based in Atlanta, and remain a strong asset to our local community.

Ellen’s tenure as Executive Director in Atlanta has had a tremendously positive impact on the office’s programs, and leaves a lasting legacy of capacity built and excellence attained. When she began her work in 2003, still in the aftermath of 9/11, the office was resettling only 250 individuals and the programs to serve them were still under development.  Under her leadership, the office has greatly expanded and improved its education & learning programs for adults and youth, developed a top-notch immigration services program, built up a refuge healthcare access program and created innovative partnerships with corporate sponsors.  Every expansion in program has reflected Ellen’s vision of effectively meeting the diverse needs of the refugee community and offering real opportunities for refugees to thrive in America. Ellen’s dedication to service is exemplary, and she has always modeled a vision of excellence and quality to the entire team at IRC Atlanta.

All of us at IRC are deeply grateful for Ellen’s leadership, support, and vision which have helped pave the way for thousands of refugees to rebuild their lives here in Atlanta. With her continued guidance for the Regional Director role, however, we are more than confident that our programs and services will continue to grow and create opportunities for refugees to thrive thanks to the lasting effect Ellen has had on IRC Atlanta. We look forward to directly benefiting from the future impact she will have on the Atlantic Region, all of US Programs, and the entire organization.