About Marina
About Marina
Anyone who knows Marina will tell you she loves people.
Marina draws inspiration and energy from her interactions with people – whether with fellow believers in her capacity as a minister, or with like-minded entrepreneurs. Her ability to communicate with a broad, cross-cultural range of people is what makes her who she is today: a dynamic, sophisticated businesswoman and empathetic public servant.
Public Relations & Media Consulting
Marina is CEO of Refined Communications LLC. She works with entrepreneurs, community leaders and public figures who have achieved success in their areas of expertise, but want to amplify their presence and voice by way of the media.
Marina offers strategies to help her clients become comfortable and highly effective on the public stage in order to gain greater visibility, credibility & recognition for their brands. By leveraging her vast network, she is able to position her clients to build their audiences, broaden their reach and catapult their business revenue.
Christian Ministry
Marina is an ordained minister and founder of SunArise International Ministries, a 501c3 organization. She founded SunArise with the mission of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and bringing healing and hope to people in her local Houston community, and beyond. Through SunArise she hosts faith-building conferences and gatherings, and her organization supports local community-building efforts.
Marina is also a participating member of the IMPACT Network Global, an international network of five-fold ministries, churches, faith-based organizations. The organization is led by visionary leader, Apostle John Eckhardt, pastor of Crusaders Church in Chicago, Illinois. He is also known worldwide as a prolific author of faith-based literature. Marina aligns herself and her ministry with the mandate of the IMPACT network – to advance apostolic reformation and God’s Kingdom in the earth.
Personal Background
As a first-generation Trinidadian immigrant, Marina followed the example of her parents who instilled in her a strong work ethic and a high standard of integrity,
Throughout her formative years Marina excelled in her studies. After years of diligent preparation, Marina was accepted to the distinguished Cornell University in New York. She graduated from that Ivy League institution with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government. To round out her studies, she later earned a Master of Science in Communications from Walden University.
She went on to pursue careers in public affairs and community relations for corporations, nonprofits and governmental entities. In her work she applied her formal training and God-given communication skills to develop a nationwide network. She now pulls on those resources to help others build thriving businesses, communities, ministries and political alliances.
Professional Background
Marina has worked for companies such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, McDonald’s franchise owners, and the City of Houston. At each position she was instrumental in helping increase revenue, refine brand strategies, spark organizational growth and improve employee morale.
Since 2019 Marina has provided communications support to Texas State Representative Senfronia Thompson.
Board Memberships and Other Distinctions
– 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award from United States President Joseph R. Biden
– Lifetime Member and Ambassador, Greater Houston Partnership
– Former Board Member, Career Recovery Resources, Inc., a United Way organization
– Former Board Member, Houston Area Urban League (HAUL), a National Urban League Affiliate and United Way Organization
– Fund Development Chair, Houston Area Urban League (HAUL)
– Co-Chair, HAUL’s 49th Annual Equal Opportunity Day Gala
– Past Board Member, Houston Association of Black Journalists
– Member, Public Relations Society of America
Graduate of
Cornell University
Walden University
Leadership Houston
Trimm Institute for Global Leadership
Center for Houston’s Future
