Advisory Committee

The Advisory Committee is chosen by the members of the Organizing Committee for its particular expertise. Its role is to provide external knowledge and help guide the Organizing Committee through advice and training. Together, the Organizing Committee and the Advisory Committee can act as a think tank for the coalition without having any particular decision-making authority.

Vegan Law Advisor

Jeanette founded the IVRA in 2012 as a way of contributing to anti-speciesist discourse. Her PhD centres on the idea that vegans’ right to freedom of conscience brings human rights to a threshold where they intersect with animal rights.

Inspired by the philosophy of otherness developed by Emmanuel Levinas, Jeanette suggests that the legal recognition of vegans, whose claims present the moral standing of nonhuman animals, gives expression to the original duty to respond to suffering, which is entrenched in the idea of human rights. She argues that since the suffering narrative of human rights is grounded by the philosophy of otherness, it should explore the value of veganism in the search for a postmodern principle of inclusive justice.

Social Movement Advisor

Mark is responsible for building Animal Think Tank’s organisational capacity and coordinating the overall mission delivery. He has a particular interest in ‘Momentum Organising’ and the movement building of the Engler brothers; as well as decentralised, non-hierarchical organising methods such as Swarm and Holacracy. His work in Animal Justice is inspired by the UK movement for the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade and the Open Source software approach to organising. He is interested in Social Movement Theory and how this can support winning audacious campaigns for social change. He is philosophically and strategically committed to active nonviolent campaigning.

Ethics Advisor

Jonathan founded the think-and-do tank OPIS in 2016 and brings a mixture of rationality and creativity to his passion of helping to reduce suffering in the world. Jonathan obtained a PhD in molecular biology after studying at Harvard and the University of Basel, and spent several years in industry before turning to writing and public speaking on ethics and compassion. He is the author of The Battle for Compassion: Ethics in an Apathetic Universe (New York: Algora Publishing, 2011), which offers a sweeping overview of our situation as a species and methodically addresses the question “What matters?” He also produced a short film to communicate some of the key ideas. He is currently working on a new book that develops a more holistic approach to ethics. @JonLeighton1

Speciesism Advisor

Involved in the Cahiers antispécistes and Veggie Pride from the start, a member of the Swiss organization PEA – For Animal Equality, a field activist and theorist, publisher and essayist, Yves Bonnardel believes that progressive movements cannot continue to avoid deeply questioning the dominations that structure our societies. An egalitarian, he believes that the fight against speciesism is fundamental and must lead to a major societal change that will be beneficial to all.

Strategy Advisor

Tobias is an international public speaker and writes a popular blog called The Vegan Strategist. He is known for his pragmatic, non-confrontational approach to encouraging people to adopt a cruelty-free vegan lifestyle. Tobias was also the founder of the Belgian non-profit vegetarian organisation EVA, and was elected a Fellow of Ashoka, an international organisation supporting high impact social entrepreneurs. @TobiasLeenaer

Organizing Advisor

For over twenty years, Michael’s work has been at the intersection of social movements, organizational development, training, and eco-justice. As Director of Organizing at Mercy for Animals, Michael‘s role includes planning, overseeing, and executing MFA’s global volunteer engagement strategy. His focus is on developing community leaders and creating meaningful action opportunities for volunteers to help win campaigns toward a compassionate food system. As a facilitator, Michael specializes in participatory processes that invite the full engagement and leadership development of all involved. In this regard, he has been mentored by people including George Lakey (founder of Training for Change) and Marshall Ganz (of Harvard’s Kennedy School).

Policy Advisor

Nicole Negowetti is the Senior Director of Policy at the Plant Based Foods Association, a trade organization representing over 200 of the leading U.S. plant-based food companies. She is an attorney, educator, scholar, and activist whose work focuses on the laws and policies shaping the U.S. agriculture and food system, and she is a widely recognized expert on the legal and regulatory issues affecting the plant-based foods industry. Nicole has extensive experience developing and leading federal, state, and local initiatives to promote sustainable, equitable, and healthy food systems. Prior to joining PBFA, Nicole served as a Clinical Instructor and Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School, where she worked at the Animal Law & Policy Clinic and the Food Law & Policy Clinic in the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation. Nicole was the first Policy Director of the Good Food Institute, a nonprofit organization working internationally to accelerate alternative protein innovation. She also served as an Associate Professor of Law at the Valparaiso University School of Law, member of the Food & Drug Law Journal Editorial Advisory Board, and a founding member of the Academy of Food Law & Policy. Nicole is a co-founder of the Northwest Indiana Food Council, whose mission is to build a just, thriving, and regenerative food system for all.

*Note: The advisor role mentioned does not limit the advisor’s advice or input to the coalition. We are very happy to receive comprehensive advice in any area.

Advisory Committee