The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is pleased to announce a new leadership structure that will strengthen our ability to serve refugee and immigrant communities across Northern California.

As part of this transition, tenured San Jose Site Director Sead Eminovic has been appointed Executive Director for the Oakland and San Jose region. In this role, he will provide strategic leadership across both offices, helping expand partnerships, strengthen regional collaboration, and ensure services remain responsive to local needs.

Supporting this work will be Mitch Margolis, Site Director for Oakland. Together, they bring extensive experience in program leadership, economic empowerment, and community development.

This new structure reflects IRC's continued investment in regional leadership and local decision-making. By strengthening connections with community partners, donors, employers, and civic leaders, the Oakland and San Jose teams are positioned to expand their impact while continuing to advocate for welcoming and inclusive communities.

We look forward to this next chapter and the opportunities it creates to deepen partnerships and strengthen support for families throughout the Bay Area.

Meet the New Leadership Team

Sead Eminovic, Executive Director

Sead Eminovic brings more than 28 years of experience in refugee and immigrant services and has spent over 25 years with IRC in a range of direct service, program management, and leadership roles. He now serves as Executive Director for the Oakland and San Jose region.

Known for his steady leadership and deep institutional knowledge, Sead has dedicated his career to strengthening services and building effective teams across Northern California. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from California State University, Hayward.

Mitch Margolis, Site Director, Oakland

Mitch Margolis serves as Site Director for IRC Oakland, where he oversees programs supporting economic opportunity and community integration. He began his IRC career as a Financial Inclusion Coordinator and later led the Economic Empowerment department, growing both staff capacity and program reach.

He brings expertise in economic mobility, program development, and supporting newcomer communities as they build financial stability. Mitch holds master’s degrees in Film and Media Studies from the University of Florida and Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.