Meet Our Executive Director

Makousse Ilboudo, Executive Director

Makousse Ilboudo is a dedicated attorney with a strong passion for public interest. She was recently appointed by the Mayor as the Executive Director of the newly created Mayor’s Office to Facilitate Pro Bono Legal Assistance (FPBLA), where she is charged with expanding access to legal support for New York City residents who cannot afford representation. In this role, she oversees citywide partnerships with law firms, legal nonprofits, and community organizations to deliver high-impact, pro bono services across a broad range of civil legal issues.

Prior to this appointment, Makousse served as General Counsel for the New York City Mayor's Office of Asylum Seeker Operations, where she provided strategic legal oversight for the city's response to the asylum seeker crisis. She led legal strategy, compliance, and risk management teams, ensuring adherence to federal, state, and local laws governing immigration, housing, and public benefits. Working closely with key city agencies, she developed legally sound policies that uphold immigrant rights and municipal governance mandates. She advised on high-impact policies affecting asylum seekers, ensuring compliance with right-to-shelter mandates and immigration regulations, while also negotiating agreements with government agencies and nonprofit organizations regarding data sharing and protection. 

Makousse has dedicated her career to making sure the legal system works for everyone, not just those who can afford it. Her current role reflects this lifelong goal: to connect those in need with the legal resources and representation they deserve.

Makousse earned her Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law. She also holds a Master of Arts in International Affairs from The New School and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Boston University.