Cristina Ruggiero

Cristina Ruggiero is the Human Resources Manager for the Disability Rights Fund and the Disability Rights Advocacy Fund. For over 15 years, Cristina has spent her career leading, mentoring, and volunteering within non-profit organizations.

Working within the education, human services, and advocacy sectors, she is dedicated to facilitating change, improving outcomes, and creating opportunities for organizations, communities, and individuals to grow and thrive. Prior to joining DRF, Cristina was a consultant to various nonprofit organizations and was the Director of Behavioral Health Innovation and Learning at AHCI, a non-profit dedicated to reducing stigma and increasing awareness of mental health disorders, as well to supporting mental health providers and those in recovery. She also was the Executive Director of the National Council of Jewish Women-Pittsburgh Section, a nonprofit that strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. Earlier in her career, she spent a decade in higher education administration and instruction at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania and Chabot College in California.

Cristina holds a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University, as well as a masters and Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and outside of work, she enjoys being a board member with local nonprofits, spending time with her family, traveling, cooking, and creating glass art in her kiln.