Announcement
The IRC in Texas is proud to welcome new Executive Director Suzy Cop!
Suzy Cop, center, Executive Director for the IRC in Texas.
Photo: IRC
With almost 20 years of experience in international and domestic programming at the IRC, Suzy brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for refugee resettlement to Texas. Suzy began working in refugee services in Zagreb, Croatia, while responding to the Balkan conflict with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Disaster Assistance Response Team. Her experience working with refugee processing and placement with Bosnian refugees brought her closer to the work of the IRC, which shared the office floor with USAID at the time.
Eventually returning home to the United States, Suzy continued to make an impact as the Regional Director at the IRC in Baltimore for four years. In 2006, she took on the role of Executive Director at the IRC in Miami. Over the past twelve years, the IRC in Miami flourished under Suzy’s leadership: Suzy helped open a satellite office in Tallahassee and expanded services to vulnerable populations (i.e unaccompanied minor children), programming which has now expanded to other IRC offices.
With 18 years at the IRC under her belt, Suzy has created countless memories with both staff and clients. One of her favorites stands out for the dedication the IRC and Suzy have for client health, safety, and happiness. After the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, IRC Overseers personally developed a fund to provide assistance to those impacted. One 2-month-old girl, “Baby Jenny”, was found crushed under the rubble of what was once her home. Unclaimed, unnamed, and without the medical resources to save her in Haiti, Baby Jenny was air-lifted to Miami where she received critical, life-saving medical assistance. The board overseers and IRC in Miami were determined to reunite her family – DNA confirmation and legal aid bringing them together after months. Today, healthy and home, Jenny and her parents remain close to the individuals who worked tirelessly to save their little girl.
From Wynwood to game night at American Airlines, everyone aspires to leave their mark on Miami. Bright lights and bigger dreams power the city. Suzy is especially proud of the impact the IRC has had on the culture and community in Miami, a resettlement hub for decades. Refugees have left a lasting legacy on the diverse food, music, art and cultural scenes that make Miami “Magic City.”
Suzy believes that, as resettlement and refugee programs have taken center-stage, today more than ever, it is important to continue to have a voice. We know that she’ll continue to strengthen refugee programming here in Texas. Please join us in welcoming her!