MEET THE TEAM
CPBA was formed by the founder and team members of Social Compassion in Legislation
(SCIL), California’s leader in progressive animal protection legislation. CPBA’s founders
are already leading efforts in Sacramento to drive plant-based food availability with the
passage of SB 1138 in 2018, authored by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley). The
mandated that plant-based meals are available in all state hospitals and prisons.
Subsequently, New York followed suit in 2020 with similar legislation.
judie mancuso
Founder, CEO President
Judie Mancuso is the founder, CEO and president of California Plant-Based Alliance. Her sister organization, Social Compassion in Legislation, was founded in 2007 and has spearheaded over 50 state bills—including 18 that have been signed into state law. She has also successfully led organized opposition against some of the world's largest special interest groups to stop harmful and exploitative legislation that would negatively impact animals. Named Orange County Register's Most Influential People, Judie has a reputation for making meaningful, positive change.

Nick SAckett
Director of Legislative Affairs
Nick Sackett is our Sacramento-based Director of Legislative Affairs. Nick is instrumental in CPBA's continued success in collaborating with lawmakers to pass groundbreaking legislation. As a graduate of Tulane Law School and after working in corporate law for over a decade, Nick joined the SCIL team in 2017. With background in international trade of endangered species of wild flora and fauna, Nick heads our advocacy ground game in the halls of the Capitol, interfacing with legislators, staff, committees, and supporters to help us save animals.