Betty Cruz is the manager of special initiatives for the Office of Mayor Bill Peduto in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she oversees Welcoming Pittsburgh, an initiative to cultivate an immigrant-friendly environment in the city. She joined the mayor's office in January 2014 as the newly created nonprofit and faith-based manager in the Bureau of Neighborhood Empowerment. In this role, she was responsible for supporting the work of and strengthening communication with community-based organizations, the philanthropic community, and faith-based organizations. Her work revolves around three key initiatives: building a welcoming city for immigrants through activities and policies that cultivate an immigrant-friendly environment, improving the total health of the community through Live Well Pittsburgh by prioritizing holistic solutions, and strengthening the veteran experience in Pittsburgh through partnerships that elevate opportunities for veterans and reinforce their distinct skills and value. Prior to joining the mayor's staff, Cruz served as the director of the Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership and as an account manager in client services at KaBOOM! in Washington, DC. She spent time as an AmeriCorps VISTA member and has held a variety of positions in the private sector. Cruz earned a master's in public administration from the University of Pittsburgh in 2011 and holds a bachelor of arts in history from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.