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About Us​

Founded in 2022, The Rise Foundation by Envoy is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting the immigrant community with free legal immigration services.

Envoy Global, Inc. is a global immigration services provider offering the only immigration management platform that makes it seamless for companies to hire and manage an international workforce. Together with its affiliated lawfirms, Envoy is one of the largest providers of business immigration services to employers around the globe. For twenty-five years, Envoy Global has been in the potential business – helping individuals and companies rise to their potential by allowing them to work wherever opportunity beckoned.

The Rise Foundation by Envoy, Inc. extends this ennobling and inspiring mission to those most in need.

We focus our resources on low-income clients and humanitarian causes. Whether it’s Asylum, Humanitarian Parole, Family Reunification, or helping victims of crime or trafficking, The Rise Foundation provides pro bono legal immigration services to assist our communities most in need.

The Rise Foundation also seeks to become a trusted source for legal practitioners as we connect clients and resource materials to lawyers who would like to provide immigration pro bono services to their local low-income community members.

The Rise Foundation is led by Nancy Sandifer Barillaro, a twenty-year immigration veteran, who oversees Envoy’s seven figure financial commitment to the foundation and the legal skills of experienced practitioners at Envoy’s affiliated law firms and other law firms providing legal assistance on a pro-bono basis.

The Rise Foundation thanks Holland-Mark, O’Melveny and Alan Barillaro for their generous support of the Rise Foundation.  If you’d like to join them and others in helping others rise to their potential, please contact us at contact@risebyenvoy.org.

Board of Directors

Picture of Richard Burke, JD, Chairman

Richard Burke, JD, Chairman

Former CEO, Envoy Global

Richard believes that immigration affords individuals and businesses the opportunity to maximize their potential while strengthening society. After earning his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center, Richard started his career at Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom before leading HomeGain.com and Apartments.com through its sale in 2014. Thereafter, Burke was president and chief executive officer of Envoy Global, an immigration services provider from 2015 until 2025. Under Burke’s leadership, Envoy’s topline grew from even figures to nine, expanded internationally and grew into one of the U.S.’ largest immigration providers. Burke was a national finalist for EY's 2022 Entrepreneur of the Year award. Burke now works with private equity firms on relevant investment opportunities while helping lead The Rise Foundation.

Picture of Nancy Sandifer Barillaro, JD

Nancy Sandifer Barillaro, JD

Executive Director, Rise Foundation by Envoy

Nancy began her career as an immigration paralegal then earned her law degree at Santa Clara University School of Law. She has served as an immigration Attorney for the non-profit, International Institute of the East Bay, and has provided counsel to the business community on complex immigration issues including drafting legal briefs, researching case law, and gathering evidence. Now as Executive Director of The Rise Foundation by Envoy, Inc., Nancy is fulfilling her passion of serving low-income individuals and families as they navigate the U.S. immigration system.

Picture of Addie Hogan, JD

Addie Hogan, JD

Managing Partner, Corporate Immigration Partners, P.C.

For nearly two decades, Addie has been dedicated to advising clients on all aspects of US-based business immigration law and moving foreign talent worldwide. As a Founding Partner of the San Francisco-based firm, Corporate Immigration Partners, Addie manages teams of attorneys and paralegals providing services to clients in a wide range of industries. She holds the designation of Global Mobility Specialist (GMS®) and has been recognized by Super Lawyers for pro bono service. Addie received her law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law.

Picture of John Feeley

John Feeley

Executive Director, Center for Media Integrity of the Americas

John Feeley is a former career U.S. ambassador who served for 28 years in the U.S. State Department, including as Ambassador to Panama, Deputy Chief of Mission in Mexico City, and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs. A skilled negotiator and cross-cultural leader, his work has consistently operated at the intersection of government, media, and international affairs.

John currently serves as Executive Director of the Center for Media Integrity of the Americas, a nonprofit foundation promoting high-quality journalism and freedom of expression throughout the Western Hemisphere. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Envoy Global and is a frequent commentator in English- and Spanish-language media. John brings a deep commitment to democratic institutions, public trust, and global cooperation to his service on the Rise board.

Picture of Mark Shriver

Mark Shriver

President, Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School

Mark Shriver is a longtime advocate for children and families whose career spans public service, nonprofit leadership, and education. He helped establish the National Commission on Children and Disasters and later founded Save the Children Action Network to advance bipartisan policy solutions on behalf of children nationwide.

Mark is a former member of the Maryland House of Delegates and a bestselling author. He currently serves as President of Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School and its Corporate Work Study Program, a college-preparatory high school serving students across the Washington, D.C. region. In addition, he is a Senior Advisor at Save the Children, where he has led and expanded domestic education and emergency-response programs in underserved communities. Mark brings a lifelong commitment to opportunity, dignity, and service to his role on the Rise board.

Picture of Kimberly Simonton, Treasurer

Kimberly Simonton, Treasurer

Chief Financial Officer, Envoy Global

Kimberly Simonton serves as a Board Member and Treasurer for Rise. She is Chief Financial Officer of Envoy Global, where she oversees Finance, Legal, and Human Resources. She brings more than 30 years of global finance and operations experience across healthcare manufacturing, distribution, and technology businesses within both private equity–backed and publicly held organizations.

Prior to joining Envoy Global, Kim served as Chief Financial Officer of Intelligent Medical Objects, where she led finance, accounting, legal, IT, and security functions and helped guide the company through a successful sale in 2022. Earlier in her career, she held CFO roles at Avalign Technologies and Surgical Solutions and spent nearly two decades with publicly held healthcare companies including Hospira, CareFusion, and Cardinal Health.

Kim also served for more than a decade on the Board of Directors of The Cradle, a 100+ year old adoption agency based in Evanston, Illinois, reflecting her long-standing commitment to supporting children and families. She brings deep financial expertise and a steady, mission-centered approach to her role on the Rise board.

Picture of Marc Sondheimer

Marc Sondheimer

Producer, Film

Marc Sondheimer is an Academy Award-winning producer and senior executive with more than two decades of leadership experience at Pixar Animation Studios, where he oversaw award-winning productions, managed multi-million-dollar budgets, and led complex creative collaborations. His career has blended creative leadership with strategic and financial oversight in highly complex environments.

A second-generation American whose father immigrated to the United States, Marc brings a personal understanding of the immigrant experience and the pursuit of opportunity. His global perspective and values-driven approach inform his leadership and service. Marc contributes creative insight, strategic thinking, and deep empathy to his role on the Rise board.

Picture of Lara Thane, JD, Ex-Officio, Secretary

Lara Thane, JD, Ex-Officio, Secretary

General Counsel, Chief Compliance & Privacy Officer, Envoy Global

Lara Thane serves as Secretary of the Board for Rise and has over 15 years of experience in a range of legal and executive roles in both private practice and Fortune 500 companies. Her areas of expertise include mergers and acquisitions, corporate law, commercial contracts, and data privacy.

Lara currently serves as General Counsel, Chief Compliance and Privacy Officer for Envoy Global. She earned a JD/MBA from Villanova University School of Law and Villanova University College of Commerce & Finance and holds a B.A. in International Affairs from Wagner College.

Picture of Anne Walsh, JD, Emeritus Board Member

Anne Walsh, JD, Emeritus Board Member

Partner, Corporate Immigration Partners, P.C.

Practicing exclusively in immigration law, Anne is a Partner at Global Immigration Associates in Chicago where she counsels clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 corporations and their foreign national employees. In addition to her employment-based practice, Anne represents individuals pursuing immigration benefits through family relationships. Anne earned her law degree from Marquette University Law School with distinction for pro bono service.

Our Team

Picture of Richard Burke, JD

Richard Burke, JD

Chairman of the Board

Picture of Nancy Sandifer Barillaro, JD

Nancy Sandifer Barillaro, JD

Executive Director

Picture of Marian Pierce

Marian Pierce

Program Manager

Marian brings more than 35 years of experience in the immigration field to her position as Program Manager at Rise Foundation. She has held diverse leadership and client-facing roles spanning client service, in-house program management, technology, marketing, advocacy, and business development. Her career includes work with law firms, a Big Four accounting firm, a Washington, DC–based immigration trade association, and an international relocation management company. Beyond her professional work, Marian has hosted international students and mentored fellow host families. She is also an accomplished classical singer and oil painter.

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