Make the Road States (MRS)

Activities

Make the Road States primarily functions as an administrative and support organization for the broader Make the Road network, which includes affiliates such as Make the Road New York, New Jersey, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. Unlike these affiliates, which carry out direct advocacy and community organizing, MRS focuses on providing finance, compliance, and human resource management across the network. Tax filings indicate that the organization received $16,048,578 in public support in 2023, funds that are then distributed to affiliate operations and network activities.  ²

Although MRS is a charitable organization with restrictions on overt political activity, its support role enables the network to coordinate advocacy and political initiatives across multiple states. The organization reported $22,989 in direct lobbying in 2023, which involves efforts to influence legislation or policymakers, and $60,862 in grassroots lobbying, which mobilizes the public to pressure lawmakers indirectly. ³

In addition to its administrative and lobbying functions, MRS engages in fundraising and grantmaking. The organization held a gala in 2023 that generated $56,916 in gross receipts. ⁴ It also provided financial assistance to other organizations, including $200,000 to Make the Road New York, $18,350 to the American Heart Association, $9,000 to the Nevada Alliance for Student Diversity, and $10,000 to Comunidad Migrante. ⁵

Financials

In 2023, Make the Road States reported $16,248,012 in total revenue, $3,104,866 in expenses, and $16,608,658 in assets. ¹

Nearly all of its revenue comes from public support and grants, with $16,048,578 reported in 2023. From its founding in 2019 to 2023, the organization has received more than $44 million in total public support. ⁶

In 2022, Make the Road States received a $50,000 grant from Better Pennsylvania (Better PA). ⁷

Leadership

As of 2023, MRS was led by executive director Arlenis Morel, who reported compensation of $165,360 that year.  ⁸ As of 2025, she was also co-executive director at the affiliate Make the Road New York. ⁹ In that role, she has represented the organization in legal actions concerning immigration policies, including lawsuits challenging fast-track deportation rules. ¹⁰

As of 2023, the organization’s chief financial officer was Robert F. Mazzaferro, who received $150,678 in compensation that year. Other senior staff at the time included Maegan Llerena (director, $140,363), Fathima P. Torres (national HR director, $137,367), and Shundiin Jakub (director of government grants and compliance, $135,097). Leonel Murrieta-Serna and Sara Cullinane were also directors as of 2023 and reported six-figure compensation that year. These senior staff oversee daily operations and support the network’s affiliates in meeting financial, regulatory, and compliance requirements. ⁸

As of 2023, Oona Chatterjee, then-chair of the board, co-founded Make the Road New York in 1997.  ¹¹ Deborah Axt, another board member at the time, has served as co-executive director of Make the Road New York.  ¹² Lizette Escobedo previously worked as communications director for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and later directed national civic engagement programs at the NALEO Educational Fund. ¹³ As of 2025, Rochelle Palache was a vice president of SEIU and led its Connecticut district.  ¹⁴ Kati Sipp, previously the political director of SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, was heading New Working Majority as of 2025, a consulting firm that advises left-of-center advocacy groups on strategy and organizing.  ¹⁵