Marilu was born in Guerrero, Mexico. She moved to Chicago at the age of 11.  She obtained a B.A on Political Science with a minor on Sociology from Northeastern Illinois University, making her the first person in her family to attend and receive a degree from a higher education institution.

She has had different roles throughout the years at ICIRR which include; Community Leader, Intern, Office Assistant and Programs Coordinator.  On her current role as Program Coordinator, Marilu is responsible for overseeing implementation, monitoring, training and providing support and technical assistance for New American Initiative (NAI), Immigrant Family and Resource Program (IFRP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Because of her own personal immigrant experience, Marilu is extremely passionate about immigrant and refugee rights.