Nancy Barillaro: Leading the Mission of the Rise Foundation

Nancy Barillaro: Immigration has always been central to my life—my mother and grandmother immigrated to the U.S. when my mom was a teenager. That background really shapes the work I do. The opportunity to start the Rise Foundation came through a conversation with a colleague, and I immediately felt called to be part of it.

Cecily Petri: What stands out most is how grounded the Foundation is in humanity. It’s not just about paperwork—it’s about people.

Nancy Barillaro: Exactly. Behind every petition is a person. Many of the individuals we serve are experiencing real fear for their safety or that of their families. Our goal is simple: help people move toward legal immigration status when they can’t afford the high cost of legal help.

Erik Prado: Can you tell us more about the types of cases you handle?

Nancy Barillaro: We help people filing for affirmative asylum, victims of domestic violence or trafficking, and those pursuing humanitarian parole or family reunification. It’s all humanitarian-focused. And our services are available nationwide thanks to remote access—we’ve helped clients in California, Chicago, Texas and even Hawaii.

Cecily Petri: What keeps you grounded as the legal landscape continues to change?

Nancy Barillaro: We stay committed to learning, adapting and supporting. Immigration policy changes frequently—it really can be day to day. That’s why we tell clients: ‘The only certainty in immigration is the uncertainty.’ It’s why having a reliable partner matters so much.

Erik Prado: What’s your vision for the Rise Foundation moving forward?

Nancy Barillaro: We want to expand our capacity to help. That includes more full-time staff and growing into new areas like defensive asylum work, for immigrants already in removal proceedings. There’s such a high need right now—and we want to meet it.

Cecily Petri: Thank you, Nancy. Your work is inspiring and so important. We’re lucky to have you leading the charge.

Immigration Considerations

The only constant in immigration is the always-changing landscape. During times of uncertainty, you should work with an immigration service provider that brings together smart, friendly legal teams and smart, friendly technology to make immigration easier for companies and the global talent they depend on.

Envoy Global offers comprehensive services for global corporate immigration management, which include educational resources, webinars and town halls. During times of uncertainty, our team is ready to provide guidance, insights and support for everyone involved in immigration.

Envoy Global provides a better way to manage global immigration. Reach out to us today to learn more.