Board of Directors
Migration Resource Center Board of Directors is formed by dedicated individuals that volunteer their time and resources to develop the organization and to secure its existence for many years ahead.
Raul Escobar, Esq.
President
Raul Escobar, Esq. is a licensed attorney in the state of Connecticut. Originally from Isla Margarita, Venezuela, he arrived in the US at 10 years old. His early personal experiences sparked his interest in and dedication to immigration law. Raul understands, first-hand, the struggle immigrants go through in the quest to gain legal status. He also understands the importance of professional and compassionate legal aid during the highly emotional process.
Guranda D’Souza
Vice Chair
Born in the Republic of Georgia, Guranda is fluent in Georgian, Russian, and English. She moved to Brooklyn nearly 20 years ago and enjoys its many culturally diverse and beautiful neighborhoods. An avid cyclist, Guranda has biked through every Brooklyn neighborhood and found her current residence while biking through Crown Heights. Guranda began her professional career as an investigator at the New York City prosecutor’s office. She subsequently worked in finance and at a private law firm. Guranda holds a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from Hunter College and holds multiple industry certifications. She is a member of REBNY (Real Estate Board of New York). With her experience and enthusiasm, she promotes Migration Resource Center's mission around the New York City area and beyond which is crucial for our vision of the present and future. She brings new ideas to Migration Resource Center and our community work.
Richard-Olivier Marius
Treasurer
Richard-Olivier Marius is a career civil servant with international experience in humanitarian work and community development. After earning his bachelor's degree in cultural anthropology at the City College of New York, Richard-Olivier worked for two years in southern Africa as a Peace Corps Community Health Volunteer in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). He subsequently received a master’s degree in international development at the Sciences Po Paris School of International Affairs. Richard-Olivier has since advanced human development through various roles in the New York State Senate and currently as a policy analyst in the design, implementation, and management of affordable housing initiatives at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development.
Victoria Apostol-Marius
Board Member & Co-Executive Director
Victoria works as the Program Coordinator at the Borough of Manhattan Community College. She holds Master of Human Rights and Master of Gender Studies degrees. She started volunteering with Migration Resource Center in the Fall of 2016. Her work as a paralegal, policy researcher, and outreach coordinator has made significant contributions to the establishment and development of Migration Resource Center. Victoria has substantial experience in the field of social justice through her activism and lobbying actions in her home country, the Republic of Moldova. She moved to New York City in 2016 and has lived on Staten Island with her family since then. Her passion for justice, dedication, and fluency in Romanian, Russian, and English are all huge assets to the organization.
Marjorie Pugliese
Board Member
Marjorie Pugliese is a graduate of Fordham University in New York. She received her doctorate at the University of Maryland. As an education professional, she was involved in teacher training, data analysis, budget management and grant writing. As a leader in her field, she became certified by the National Board. Presently, she is a social entrepreneur whose main objective is to stop poverty and create jobs. She and her team are dedicated to assisting those less fortunate in climbing the Ladder of Financial Empowerment.