Our Team:
Michael Mehrazar
Executive Director
Michael brings over a decade of expertise in social justice policy advocacy, volunteer engagement, and coalition leadership. As Executive Director, he is dedicated to utilizing this wealth of experience at the State Capitol, while empowering Unitarian Universalists throughout Pennsylvania to actively engage in their faith by advocating for equitable and just policies.
Prior to joining UUJusticePA, Michael served as a lobbyist with PennFuture, a statewide environmental advocacy organization. There he played a pivotal role in advancing PennFuture’s legislative and advocacy initiatives. Michael also served as the Pennsylvania Lead for the Choose Clean Water Coalition, a coalition dedicated to advocating for clean rivers and streams in all communities throughout the Chesapeake Bay region.
Michael holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Lock Haven University, where he served as Speaker of the student government senate and interned at the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties.
In his free time, Michael enjoys fiddling with computers, listening to audiobooks and podcasts, biking on local trails, and everything Star Wars. Above all, he treasures quality moments with his wife and their cat.
Edith Ruiz
Financial Manager
Edith Ruiz is an accounting professional who is experienced in business finance management. Her career started in a small public accounting firm, where she served as a financial auditor and tax preparer. She also has over ten years experience as payroll and accounts specialist for large national corporate entities, non-profit, and small business entrepreneurs alike. Edith specializes in QuickBooks and is responsible for maintaining financial records, current donor data, and mass communication applications.
Edith lives with her husband and their four cats in the North Hills of Pittsburgh. In her free time, Edith volunteers as a worship service coordinator for the UU Church of the North Hills. She likes to walk the nature trails at local parks, read, and play board games with her friends and family.
Jesi Butler
Communications Contractor
Jesi Butler is a freelance writer, editor, and graphic designer with experience in brochures, fliers, graphics, and social media content. Her specialty is promoting the missions of various nonprofit organizations.
Her clients include UUJusticePA, her local animal shelter (Four Footed Friends), her UU church in Indiana, PA, and several children’s advocacy groups. Jes has a B.A. in communication from the University of Pittsburgh, with an emphasis on rhetoric and English literature.
She’s been married for 35 years to Mark, her college sweetheart, a retired teacher and the frontman of a local rock band. They have a son, Rory, now studying at Lehigh University to become a historian and teacher. Their other children are two rescue collies who get into a lot of trouble but are so charming that nobody minds very much. Jes is a lifelong nerd who enjoys knitting, cooking, and fantasy novels. She recently got her first and only tattoo, a Tolkien rune on her wrist. It serves as her daily reminder that there’s good in this world, and it’s worth fighting for. See her portfolio at www.jesibutler.com.