GCHE Staff
DEBRA BERGER, CHES, FounderAfter earning her BS in Communications from Georgia State University, Debra worked for Turner Broadcasting Systems, The Apparel News Group, and other publications.She returned to school in 1988 to become a Massage Therapist.
Through her various jobs and careers, her volunteer work remained consistent in the area of animal protection. She began working at the Atlanta Humane Society as a shelter volunteer. It became obvious to her that a great deal of animal cruelty resulted from lack of knowledge. Furthermore, she became increasingly aware of the connection between animal cruelty and human violence. In response to these realizations, she studied and trained in Humane Education courses from national organizations, and became a Certified Humane Education Specialist (CHES) and Outreach Volunteer. In recognition of her animal advocacy work, she won the 2009 Community Impact Award from The Humane Society of the United States.
Debra Berger contends that Humane Education will benefit students
and society in more ways that we can presently imagine!
JUDY LANDEY, PR & Marketing
In 1980, Judy founded Judy Landey & Associates Public Relations,and has directed the firm as President for 20+ years.
In addition to serving her many professional clients, Judy has volunteered her PR and event planning skills to numerous local and national animal rescue and advocacy organizations, including Atlanta Pet Rescue, Save Our Pets Food Bank, and the Humane Society of the United States. She has been very involved in anti-dog fighting campaigns by gaining powerful media exposure, as well as devoting personal time to securing medical care and training for rescued dogs that may have otherwise been euthanized. Judy has organized headline events for animal rescue, while working behind the scenes to save abandoned animals. Along with her PR talents and passion for animals, Judy holds a Masters Degree in Education from Georgia State University.
ANDREA APPEL, Humane Educator
Andrea earned a BS in Education at Georgia State University. She has also trained in Humane Education programs, including The Healing Species Program, based in Orangeburg, SC and the HEAR program from United Animals Nation. Andrea was the owner and manager of a retail store for more than a dozen years. Andrea’s China Cabinet owes much of its success to Andrea’s design talent, as well as exceptional customer service. Andrea has used the marketing talents that she gained in her retail business to manage and organize several fund raising events for the Humane Society of the United States and local animal shelters. Four rescued dogs have found their forever home with Andrea.
GCHE Board Members
- Mitchell Rosen, Attorney, Kitchens, Kelly, Gaynes PC
- Brian Schiff, CPA, Birnbrey, Minsk, Minsk & Perling LLC
- Laurie Botstein, M.S, C.C.C.-SLP, Speech & Language Pathologist, Education Specialist for GCHE
Advisory Committee
- Cheryl McAuliffe, HSUS & GLPA
- Gigi Graves, Executive Director, Our Pal’s Place
- Lewis Regenstein, President, Interfaith Council for the Protection of Animals and Nature (ICPAN)
- Joseph Berger,MD, RPh, Psychiatrist, North Atlanta Psyciatric Services
Our support team includes Amanda Powell, Janis Beavin, Lauren Miller, Lisa Reisman, Shelley Yedvarb, Denae Taylor, Elisabeth Gambill-Niksich and many generous supporters.
