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, Jordane Tofighi has been appointed Executive Director for the Sacramento and Turlock region. In this role, she will provide strategic leadership across both offices, helping expand partnerships, strengthen community engagement, and ensure services remain responsive to local needs.

Supporting this work will be Roderick Conrad, Site Director for Sacramento, and Elizabeth Alvarez, Site Director for Turlock. Together, they bring decades of experience in humanitarian services, community development, and nonprofit leadership.

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 Sacramento and Turlock 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 Sacramento Valley and Central Valley.

Meet the New Leadership Team

Jordane Tofighi, Executive Director

Jordane Tofighi joined the International Rescue Committee in 2019 as Director of the Oakland office, where she led the team through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid expansion of Operation Allies Welcome, growing the office from 25 to more than 100 staff in response to urgent community needs.

In 2024, she was appointed Deputy Director for Northern California, providing strategic and operational leadership across IRC's Sacramento, San Jose, Turlock, and Oakland offices. In this role, she strengthened cross-site collaboration, supported program growth and quality, and guided teams through a period of significant change and complexity.

Jordane began her career serving vulnerable populations in 2003 and brings more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience. She has a strong track record of building and scaling programs, developing public and private partnerships, securing resources for underserved communities, and fostering inclusive, high-performing teams.

Born in France to an Iranian and French family, Jordane spent her early years living across West Africa and Europe before immigrating to the United States as a young teenager. Her own experience navigating new cultures and communities informs her deep commitment to supporting refugees and immigrants as they rebuild their lives and pursue opportunities for long-term success.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a Master's degree in Psychology with a certificate in Engaged World Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies.

As Executive Director of IRC's Sacramento and Turlock offices, Jordane is honored to lead the organization’s work in the region and remains committed to advancing IRC's mission with integrity, compassion, and impact during a rapidly evolving humanitarian landscape.

Roderick Conrad, Site Director, Sacramento

Roderick Conrad brings over 20 years of experience in refugee resettlement. His journey began in 2003 as an intern leading a youth empowerment program with the IRC in Atlanta, Georgia, and took him overseas to Thailand and Malaysia, where he supported nearly 200,000 people in building new lives. 

He later led IRC's processing and placement operations at the organization's headquarters before becoming a happy transplant to Northern California. He holds a Master's in Public Administration from the University of Arizona and is passionate about building strong community partnerships and creating opportunities for families to succeed.

Elizabeth Alvarez, Site Director, Turlock

Elizabeth Alvarez brings extensive experience in community development, education, health equity, and family-centered services. 

Throughout her career, she has worked to expand access to resources through community engagement, advocacy, and direct service. Previously, she led change initiatives at Healthier Kids Foundation, where she directed the CalAim expansion. She also served at Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, expanding the community-schools model and family resource centers in Santa Clara County. She implemented best practices across 12 family resource centers in the County. During the pandemic, she led her team’s transition to virtual learning, ensuring staff safety and training and leading the Long-Range Planning Initiative to align programs for a seamless family-centered service approach She holds a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from San José State University, and is an American Leadership Forum Senior Class Fellow XXIV.

Elizabeth is highly motivated and passionate about obtaining equitable access to services, civic and community empowerment and abolishing systemic barriers to systems of oppression. She believes strongly in creating services and resources grounded in the community priorities. 

She is thrilled to serve as the Site Director at Turlock for the International Rescue Committee, moving to this role to serve the community where she lives.