Kitty Block
Early Life and Education
Block received a bachelor's degree in communications and philosophy from University of New Hampshire, and later earned her law degree from George Washington University.[1][2]
Humane Society of the United States
Block joined the Humane Society of the United States in 1992 as a legal advisor. She worked on efforts to ban the import of dog and cat fur in the EU and United States and on bans of horses for human consumption.[3]
In 1995, Block accused Davis Willis, the head of animal cruelty investigations at the Humane Society of the United States, of unwanted sexual overtures. She and another colleague wrote in to the CEO and President of HSUS that Willis had attempted to kiss them and made offensive comments over a two year period. In discussing their concerns, the women found Willis had additionally fabricated expenses.[4] Willis was indicted for embezzlement in 1998.[5]
Block became vice president of Humane Society International in 2007, and continued to rise through the organization until she became president in 2017, overseeing all international campaigns and programs.[2]
In 2018, Block was appointed acting president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States after the former president resigned during an investigation into sexual harassment.[2] Block pledged to rebuild trust within the organization after the accusations.[6] Block's position was made permanent in 2019.[7]
Block serves as a member of the United States Trade Representative's Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee.[8]
In xxxx, Block was included in Forbes' 50 over 50 Impact List.[1]
Jess Kutch
Kutch worked SEIU in Washington, DC as online campaigns director.[9][10]
Kutch founded Coworker.org, a workplace organizing platform, with Michelle Miller in 2013.[11] Kutch and Miller were frustrated with the barriers to joining a union, and wanted to make workplace organizing more accessible. Kutch was particularly inspired by the protests of Gov. Walker's plans to eliminated collective bargaining rights in Wisconsin, and the solidarity for workers' rights even among those not in a union.[9]
In 2015, Kutch was awarded a J.M. Kaplan Innovation Prwize for her work at Coworker.org.[12]
Initially, they focused on online petitions, where workers could list grievances and their coworkers could cosign. Campaigns on the platform successfully inspired policy change at Starbucks, Sketchers, Publix, and Jimmy John's.[11]
The site partners with the Solidarity Fund to provide financial support to tech workers organizing their workplaces.[13]
https://www.protocol.com/nonprofit-helps-tech-workers-organize
https://home.coworker.org/meeting-the-moment/
- ^ a b "50 Over 50 2023: Impact". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ^ a b c Report, Hagstrom (2018-02-06). "Humane Society names Block acting head after Pacelle resigns". www.thefencepost.com. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ^ Abo, Jessica (2019-05-10). "C-Suite Moms: "Think before committing" With Kitty Block President and CEO of the Humane Society…". Authority Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ^ Thompson, Tracy (1996-08-14). "FUR IS FLYING AT THE HUMANE SOCIETY". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ^ Ruane, Michael E. (1998-06-13). "EX-HUMANE SOCIETY INVESTIGATOR INDICTED". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ^ Paquette, Danielle (2018-03-28). "The Humane Society's sexual harassment scandal just won't end". Washington Post.
- ^ "Humane Society Picks New CEO After Upheaval". The NonProfit Times. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ^ "Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee (TEPAC)". United States Trade Representative. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ^ a b "Power Of The Petition: Nonprofit Helps Front-Line Workers Fight For Their Rights". Georgia Public Broadcasting. 2020-10-14. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ^ "SEIU makes health reform a laughing matter | Business Insurance". www.businessinsurance.com. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ^ a b Harrington, Caitlin. "Before Starbucks Baristas Had Unions, They Had Coworker Petitions". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ^ "Michelle Miller and Jess Kutch". The J.M. Kaplan Fund. 2015-11-12. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ^ DiFeliciantonio, By Chase (2021-08-22). "The tech world gives back with a fund that gives cash to workers for organizing". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
