Advisory Council
Richard Butler
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director for Employ Inc.
Board Member, August Wilson House
Richard Butler is the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director for Employ Inc. and the owner of Coachrtb Coaching and Leadership Group. He is also an adjunct professor for Robert Morris University where he has taught Leadership, Organizational Ethics, Argument and Research Understanding and Managing Diversity in the Workplace, Applied Organizational Leadership Skills.
Richard is the former Inclusion Manager for USRowing and presently is the Co-Chair of USRowing’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEI). He also served on the USRowing Diversity Taskforce and the United States Olympic and Para Diversity Committee, DEI Advisor for USA Ultimate Frisbee, Former City of Pittsburgh Housing Authority and Shade Tree Commissioner, and past advisor for the City of Pittsburgh Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
He holds a Master of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications.
Katie Cruger, Ph.D.
Master Gardener
Dr. Katie Cruger retired from Chatham University as Associate Professor of Communication and Program Director of the MA Communication and MA Professional Writing programs in 2021. She now runs Green Hazel, a micro-nursery in the Greenfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh specializing in pollinator-friendly native perennial wild flower seedlings. Katie is thrilled to provide guidance about plant species and design for forthcoming pollinator gardens sponsored by HAP as well as at local elementary schools.
She holds an M.A. in Communication and a Ph.D. In Rhetoric and Environmental Communication from University of Colorado at Boulder.
Marita Garrett
Founder & President, CIVICALLY, INC
Marita Garrett is the Founder & President of CIVICALLY, INC, a social enterprise that focuses on community development by promoting civic and social literacy to instill self-reliance. In addition to Free Store Wilkinsburg and Community Conversations, she has established Fresh Market and initiatives for health education, urban farming, and others.
In 2017, after being elected Mayor of Wilkinsburg, she worked to pass several animal protection laws, including laws to protect dogs left in extreme temperatures. Currently, she serves on the advisory boards for Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Allegheny Regional Asset District, and Phipps Conservatory, among others.
Ms. Garrett has a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she now serves as an adjunct professor; and a Master’s in Psychology from Chatham University, where she also received an Honorary Doctorate for Public Service
Caily Grube
Executive Director, Allegheny Cleanways
In 2023, Caily Grube joined Allegheny CleanWays, bringing with her a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh, specializing in macro-level systems change and nonprofit management. She is deeply committed to grassroots initiatives that empower both environmental work and under-resourced communities. Outside of work, Caily spends her time biking city streets, backpack camping on long trails, or contributing on her boyfriend’s farm. She is also an avid reader and loves learning Allegheny County history. She is an active member of HAP’s Plastics Collaborative.
Bruce Kraus
Pittsburgh City Councilman, Retired
Bruce Kraus, a distinguished former Pittsburgh City Councilman and Council President, boasts an illustrious career marked by an unwavering dedication to animal welfare and progressive legislation. Serving on the council from 2008 to 2023, Kraus left an indelible mark through his collaboration with Humane Action Pittsburgh, pioneering crucial laws safeguarding animals’ rights. His remarkable achievements include spearheading Pennsylvania’s inaugural retail sales ban on dogs, cats, and rabbits not sourced from rescues and enacting a bullhook prohibition that effectively barred circuses from performing in the city. Kraus’s advocacy extended beyond traditional pets to encompass avian and reptilian protection, as evidenced by his pivotal roles in passing laws safeguarding birds and reptiles. Notably, he authored groundbreaking legislation banning the cruel production and serving of foie gras within Pittsburgh, a testament to his unwavering commitment to ethical practices. Furthermore, Kraus’s tenure was characterized by progressive social reform, as evidenced by his pivotal role in establishing the city’s first domestic partnership registry and championing legislation that explicitly protected gender identity and expression in housing, employment, and public accommodation—a testament to his enduring legacy as a champion of equity and justice.
Sally Lipsky
Founder & President, Plant-Based Pittsburgh
Sally Lipsky is a plant-based nutrition educator, speaker, and author. She founded the non-profit Food for Health and is president of Plant-Based Pittsburgh, with the mission to create communities of health based on whole-food, plant-based food choices. She has a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Pittsburgh and a Certificate in Plant-based Nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies. She authored the book Beyond Cancer: The Powerful Effect of Plant-Based Eating and is a community-based advocate for plant-centered eating via presentations, classes, and workshops. In addition, she is a certified yoga instructor.
Christine Luffey
Retired Police Officer, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police
Christine Luffey has proudly helped people and animals while working as a Pittsburgh Police Officer for 32 years. She retired on July 16, 2025. Prior to Christine joining the police force, crimes against animals were almost never enforced. She has made countless arrests of people neglecting, hurting, killing, and torturing innocent animals. Many of her cases were in the news and brought much needed attention to the crimes of animal neglect and abuse. In 1997, Christine began to sponsor fundraisers to help animals in the city of Pittsburgh through the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. She started Biscuits Bingo in 1998 and it has been an annual event that helps many organizations and groups to help animals in Pittsburgh. Christine has loved and fought for animals all of her life and will continue to do so for the rest of her life. If Christine had only one wish in life to come true it would be that animal neglect and abuse did not exist.
William Peduto
Former Mayor, City of Pittsburgh
William Peduto, the former Mayor of Pittsburgh, is recognized for his transformative leadership and dedication to revitalizing the city through innovation, sustainability, and social equity. Serving as mayor from 2014 to 2022, Peduto spearheaded efforts to modernize Pittsburgh’s infrastructure, attract tech, medical and green industries, and address the city’s historical environmental challenges. His administration focused on creating a more inclusive and resilient economy, championing policies aimed at combating climate change and fostering community-based development. Peduto’s vision helped position Pittsburgh as a national leader in sustainability and urban renewal, while prioritizing equity and progressive governance. In 2020, Pittsburgh’s leadership was recognized with first-place recognition for the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ 14th annual Climate Protection Awards.
Mayor Peduto was also a strong leader on animal protection and humane policy. During his tenure, he signed multiple animal welfare bills initiated by Humane Action Pennsylvania into law, including Pennsylvania’s first retail sales ban on dogs, cats, and rabbits not sourced from rescues or shelters, as well as the Commonwealth’s first local laws protecting circus animals. These landmark measures reflected his commitment to aligning public policy with compassion, public safety, and ethical governance.
His legacy is one of forward-thinking leadership that has redefined Pittsburgh’s role in the 21st century. From 2018-2022, Mayor Peduto served as North America’s representative on the Board of the. Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. He presently serves as a Distinguished Executive in Residency at the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University.
George Potts
President, Fifth Influence
George Potts is Co-Founder and President of Fifth Influence, a Pittsburgh-based digital advertising and media strategy firm specializing in Democratic campaigns, progressive advocacy, and mission-driven organizations. With nearly three decades of experience, George has helped candidates win office, organizations pass legislation, and nonprofits mobilize supporters through strategic digital engagement and public awareness campaigns. His work has been recognized with multiple Reed Awards, and he was named to City & State’s Pennsylvania Fifty Over 50, honoring leaders in public service. George brings deep experience in issue advocacy, coalition building, and values-based messaging to his role on the Humane Action Pennsylvania Advisory Council.
John Weinstein
Former Allegheny County Treasurer
Treasurer John Weinstein has served as the elected Allegheny County Treasurer since 1999 and has been re-elected countywide to four (4) consecutive terms. He has become a leader in green initiatives, implementing e-tax billing for Real Estate. He established e-pay, Real Estate, Alcohol and Rental Vehicle Taxes, as well as e-pay for Dog Licenses in Allegheny County. Treasurer Weinstein is committed to helping transform Allegheny County into a truly “Green” government.
