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The conference features
experts in the fields of health, nutrition, animal rights, the environment,
exercise and related lifestyle areas, plus talented chefs. The following
speakers are already confirmed, with many more to be added. Please
check back for updates.
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Author of The 4-Ingredient Vegan, Tofu 1-2-3 and the Vegetarian Voice column Ask Maribeth: A Voice for Vegan Living; Certified Nutritional Consultant, cooking instructor, corporate chef for Vitasoy USA, cooking DVD host, mother of two lifelong vegan teenagers
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internationally-known author of the ground-breaking feminist-vegan work, The Sexual Politics of Meat, also, Living Among Meat Eaters, and How to Eat Like a Vegetarian Even if You Never Want to be One (co-written with Patti Breitman); her Sexual Politics of Meat Slide Show has been shown on more than 100 campuses and in several countries and a 20th Anniversary Edition of the book is being released this year
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BS in Social Science from Drexel University; Board Certified Traditional Naturopath; Certified Massage Therapist & Tai Chi Instructor; Reiki Master Practitioner; Yang Long Form Tai Chi Practitioner; founder and president of Lancaster (PA) Vegetarian Society; founder and operator of SGMC - Solanco General Merchandise Co, a family owned and operated business, since 1977
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author of Second Nature: The Inner Lives of Animals, Pleasurable Kingdom: Animals and the Nature of Feeling Good and The Use of Animals in Higher Education: Problems, Alternatives and Recommendations; has written many scientific papers and lay articles on animal behavior, humane education, and animal research; a popular speaker, he has given invited presentations on six continents, including a 15-stop lecture tour of medical and veterinary schools in India in January 2007; currently a consultant for Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Humane Society University, and other clients in Washington, D.C.
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CHIP BALLEW (MO) |
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leader of the Vegetarian Club of the Ozarks, entertains and teaches juggling, "flip stix,' top & bubble tricks and other toys and games, long-time advocate for animals and cruelty-free living
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CAROLE BARAL, MS (NY) |
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certified Integral Yoga instructor for over 25 years; NAVS board member
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president & cofounder, Farm Sanctuary a national farm animal protection organization, since ‘86, rescued sick, abandoned & abused animals from farms, stockyards & slaughterhouses; helped enact laws & policies to end abusive practices in food production; author, Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts & Minds about Animals & Food
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clinical researcher, author, and health advocate; he has been the principal investigator or co-investigator on several clinical trials investigating the effects of diet on health, including most recently a study on dietary interventions in diabetes, funded by the National Institutes of Health and conducted under the auspices of the George Washington University School of Medicine, in association with the University of Toronto; he is the author of dozens of publications in scientific and medical journals as well as numerous nutrition books for lay readers and is frequently called on by news programs to discuss issues related to nutrition, research issues, and
other controversial areas in modern medicine; he is a frequent lecturer
at scientific and lay conferences and has made presentations for the
American Diabetes Association, American Public Health Association, the
World Bank, the National Library of Medicine, and many other medical and
scientific organizations; he received his M.D. degree at the George
Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C; he
practiced at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York before returning to
Washington to found the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
(PCRM) in 1985, which has since grown into a nationwide group of
physicians and lay supporters that promotes preventive medicine and
addresses controversies in modern medicine; he is an Adjunct Associate
Professor of Medicine at the George Washington University School of
Medicine and Health Sciences, a Life Member of the American Medical
Association, and a member of the American Diabetes Association
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RYNN BERRY (NY) |
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NAVS historical advisor; author, Food for The Gods, Vegetarianism and the World's Religions, and Hitler: Neither Vegetarian Nor Animal Lover |
JOHN BOLUS (FL) |
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America's sole instructor of Chinese Wand Exercise; ranked 1st in his state's 5K races in the 65-69 age group, 5th in National Sr. Olympics; professional musician (keyboards) frequently performing at top clubs, including the Ritz Carlton; released "Naples Medleys", a CD collection of easy listening standards |
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co-author of How to Eat Like a Vegetarian, Even If You Never Want To Be One and How to Say No Without Feeling Guilty; director of the Marin Vegetarian Education Group; former food columnist for VegNews magazine; publishing consultant to many of the vegetarian world's best known leaders, including Howard Lyman, John Robbins, Dr. Neal Barnard, Ingrid Newkirk, Alan Goldhammer, and Victoria Moran; she has had dozens of letters published on behalf of animals and plant based eating in local and national magazines and newspapers and has been teaching vegan cooking classes for 13 years |
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president, Farm Kind, Ltd.; born and raised on a cattle farm in Michigan and spent over half his life in agriculture including three years in the dairy industry; featured in the Tribe of Heart documentary, Peaceable Kingdom, the Journey Home, his story is one of transformation from animal farmer to vegan animal advocate; works as an advocate for sustainable independent family farms, environmental justice, social justice, and peace through non-violence |
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co-founder & executive director of Stop Animal Exploitation NOW! (SAEN), which has been successful in terminating research projects & forcing the USDA to take legal action against laboratories; after witnessing the atrocities of animal experimentation during his education, he successfully ended a head injury experiment on cats at the University of Cincinnati, which launched his career leading to positions with several national organizations before he found SAEN in the mid 90's |
PETER CERVONI (FL) |
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private chef, raw foods lecturer, food stylist and restaurant consultant; graduated from the Culinary Institute of America; has worked at New York City’s top vegan restaurants; worked at the Hippocrates Health Institute; works for Vital Creations, Inc, representing his friend, Chef Chad Sarno, in the United States; his recipes have appeared in Pilates Style Magazine, Vegetarian Times and Frances and Anna Moore-Lappe’s Diet for a Small Planet |
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graduate Princeton University, Duke Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health; practices internal medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital; Harvard Medical School faculty member; director Natural Healing Pathways, Inc., a non-profit organization providing a wholistic approach to helping people with chronic diseases through union of mind, body and spirit |
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co-founder and director of VegFund, Plant Peace Daily and co-founder and past president of VegMichigan; he has been leading life altering programs on health and the environment for many years; he has a BS in Emergency Medicine, is a certified fitness instructor and is certified in Living Foods |
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Registered Dietitian with master's degree in nutrition; registered yoga teacher; ACSM-certified health/fitness specialist; raw food educator; has lectured on wellness, vegan, sports and raw nutrition, stress management, yoga and ayurveda; teaches wellness yoga at Harrisburg Area Community College
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dietitian at Wordsworth Academy, a residential treatment facility for older youths and teens with behavioral issues, and The Lodge at Woodloch (a top 10 destination spa in the US - voted #1 in food demonstrations) where she presents a weekly food demo; writer for VegFamily.com and Vegan Culinary Experience; producer and host of nutrition DVDs
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Public health nutritionist, clinical nutrition specialist, nutrition consultant, academic instructor, past chair, VNDPG of American dietetic Assn; best selling author, Becoming Vegetarian and Becoming Vegan, plus Dairy-free & Delicious, Defeating Diabetes and The New Becoming Vegetarian;recently conducted a government supported study in the Marshall Islands and implemented a program to prevent and reverse diabetes |
SHERI-LYNN DEMARIS, MEd (PA) |
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macrobiotic cooking teacher and counselor who has taught throughout the US and overseas; author, "Macro Magic for Kids and Parents;” host and producer of “Tea With Sheri", a local alternative TV talk show and DVD "Macro for the Mainstream;"recipient of the "Golden Carrot Award" from PCRM and the "Go Active Award" from McDonald’s for her garden to plate cooking program in the public school system
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Director, the Lifestyle Medicine Institute in Loma Linda; lectures at the College of Medicine at the University of Illinois at Rockford; offers over 25 years of leadership in the emerging field of Lifestyle Medicine; his pioneering efforts as an epidemiologically trained lifestyle interventionist with the Coronary Health Improvement Project (CHIP) have shown how simple lifestyle changes can prevent, arrest, and facilitate the reversal of many of our largely lifestyle related diseases. With more than 50,000 graduates, the results of the Randomized Clinical CHIP Trial have been published in 12 peer reviewed medical journals. His book, Health Power (co-authored with Aileen Ludington), has two million copies in 16 languages in circulation. Speaker for past 2 years at the World Congress on Weight Management in Chicago. He earned his doctorate in Health Science and an MPH in Public Health Nutrition from Loma Linda University. |
ANNE DINSHAH (NY) |
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Coaches at Florida Rowing Center; lifetime vegan and third generation vegetarian; author of Healthy Hearty Helpings. writes Dating Vegans: recipes for relationships, a column in the American Vegan magazine and a forthcoming book
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Nutrition director of The Coalition for Cancer Prevention Through Plant-Based Eating; co-founder and first chairman-elect of the Vegetarian Nutrition Practice Group of the American Dietetic Association; author of The Most Noble Diet, A Basic Course in Vegetarian and Vegan Nutrition and Don't Let Your Diet Add to your Cancer Risk; has taught nutrition at the college and university level since 1980; inducted into the Vegetarian Hall of Fame (1993) |
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retired Cleveland Clinic surgeon; conducted a 20 year study of coronary artery disease using diet and lifestyle modification; during the 90's organized two successful conferences on the elimination of coronary artery disease for health professionals; first recipient of the Benjamin Spock award for Compassion in Medicine in 2005 ; author of the groundbreaking book Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease, which relates the results of a his 20 year study on curing heart disease with diet |
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Microbiologist, and former biodecontamination consultant for Pharmaceutical giant Merck and Co Inc. Then an activist and founder of Vegetarians of Kansas City. Vegan for 18 years. Mother of two lifelong vegans. Her first book, Compassionate Souls -- Raising the Next Generation to Change the World, was a primer for raising healthy compassionate children. Her newest book, Get Off Gluten aims to help vegan's learn how getting off gluten can be beneficial, and to help gluten sensitive omnivores discover veganism for their health. |
NICOLE FORDYCE (CANADA) |
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long-time animal rights advocate, vegetarian for 23 years and vegan for 14 years; certified group fitness instructor and personal trainer, teaching total toning and cardio-kickboxing fitness classes; high school special education teacher; professional speaker on issues of inclusion & friendship facilitation for people with disabilities |
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director of Public Health and Animal Agriculture, Humane Society of the United States; graduate Cornell's College of Agriculture and Tuft's University of Medicine; internationally known speaker on public health and social justice issues; invited as expert witness in Oprah Winfrey's meat defamation trial; author Carbophobia: The Scary Truth about America's Low-Carb Craze and the landmark Bird Flu: A Virus of Our Own Hatching |
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vice president of legal affairs for Friends of Animals; author of the new book On Their Own Terms: Bringing Animal-Rights Philosophy Down to Earth, which places vegetarianism and ecological awareness at the core of animal advocacy, and Capers in the Churchyard: Animal Rights Advocacy in the Age of Terror; co-author, Dining With Friends: The Art of North American Vegan Cuisine; co-facilitates West Chester, Pennsylvania’s annual VeggieFest as vice president of Compassion for Animals, Respect for the Environment (CARE) |
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Executive Director of New York Coalition for Healthy School Food. Wrote NYS Legislative Resolution which requested vegan entrees each day and nutrition education that includes information on multi-cultural and vegetarian/vegan eating styles. Formerly non-profit director for environmental organizations and a tobacco-control group. Founder and president of Club Veg: Vegetarian Education Group, with chapters in the Southern Tier of NY, Philly, PA, and Long Island, NY |
RICHARD HAMLIN, MS (NY) |
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former co-captain & Most Valuable Player of championship-winning cross country team; past president, Albany Vegetarian Network, Inc; former systems administrator for Vegan Action; holds degrees in mechanical engineering from MIT & UC-Berkeley; renewable energy advocate |
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executive director of EarthSave International; instructor for Dr. T. Colin Campbell’s eCornell Plant-Based Certification Program; co-producer of Going Veg with the Plant-Based Dietitian counsels, lectures and writes about the miracles associated with consuming a whole food, plant based diet; she is passionate about spreading the message throughout the globe with the ultimate goal of improving the health of humans and the environment, and alleviating the needless suffering of billions of animals |
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host of www.all-creatures.org, which is dedicated to furthering peaceful, compassionate living for the whole creation; retired pastor; pilot; scientist; vegan and animal rightist |
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author of the newly released Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism and Strategic Action for Animals: A Handbook on Strategic Movement Building, Organizing, and Activism for Animal Liberation; Professor of Sociology and Psychology at the University of Massachusetts, Boston; personal/relationship coach. |
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co-founder of the Veganic Agriculture Network, promoting plant-based farming and gardening in North America (www.goveganic.net); co-founder of the Groupe Vegetarien de Rimouski and the Groupe Vege de Quebec; leads recreational workshops for children and adults in circus skills and cooperative games |
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co-founder of Tribe of Heart, a non-profit organization that creates award-winning, life-changing films about the journey of awakening conscience; producer of The Witness, an animal advocacy film classic, and the newly released Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home, currently on the film festival circuit and winning numerous awards, including the Grand Jury Prize at the Canada International Film Festival and the Audience Award at the Environmental Film Festival at Yale; co-creator of HumaneMyth.org, a web resource encouraging truth, transparency and integrity in animal advocacy; public speaker on issues of critical thinking, social justice, and the essential role of grassroots activism and independent media in maintaining a healthy democracy |
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cartoonist, writer and all-around entertainer; founding member of vegetarian pop band Green Beings; creator of "Edgy Veggies" cartoon for VegNews; author, Joy of Soy (collection of his vegetarian cartoons); illustrator and feature writer for Vegetarian Voice |
BOB LEROY, RD, MS, EDM (NY/NC) |
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NAVS Nutrition Advisor since 1990; vegan since 1976; public health nutritionist & researcher; fitness instructor; long-time activist promoting local food & economic self-reliance measures; advocate for personal & agricultural carbon-footprint reduction |
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associate director of preventive medicine with Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM); co-author of PCRM's report on Racial and Ethnic Bias in the U.S. Dietary Guidelines |
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executive director of the new organization A Well-Fed World, and partner organization FARM (Farm Animal Rights Movement); has worked in the nonprofit sector since 1994 and on food/animal issues since 2001; holds Masters degrees in International Relations specializing in economic development, and the other specializing in women-in-development; her focus is on the detrimental effects of animal agriculture on world hunger, especially women in low-income countries; she works with groups and individuals to reduce global meat consumption as part of efforts to reduce global warming, protect the environment, and improve public health
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writer and director of the award winning documentary film EARTHLINGS; currently editing his next film, a follow-up to EARTHLINGS, entitled UNITY, which will be released at the end of the year
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motivational speaker, certified life coach, certified holistic health counselor (HHC, AADA); author of ten books including the vegan weight loss classic, The Love-Powered Diet, the best-selling Creating Charmed Life, and the Oprah-featured Lit from Within and Shelter for the Spirit. vegetarian since age 18, and mother of lifelong vegan actress Adair Moran
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inspiring public speaker on the spiritual, social, and practical aspects of a vegan lifestyle; author, The Joy of Vegan Baking, The Vegan Table and the forthcoming, Color Me Vegan (Fall 2010); host of the award-winning podcast Vegetarian Food for Thought, columnist for VegNews Magazine, and is a contributor to National Public Radio
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JOHN PIERRE (IL) |
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vegan nutrition and fitness consultant who lectures throughout the US
sharing the principles of compassionate living to people of all ages;
best known for his innovative work helping older adults enhance
cognitive functioning, and his fun, yet effective approach to functional
fitness
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LISA PITMAN (CANADA) |
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a vegan for over two decades; actively engaged in the vegan community in Toronto through organizing and hosting large outreach events included the “Totally Fabulous Vegan Bake-Off,”co-hosting vegan cooking demonstrations with local chefs, and regularly co-hosting the Toronto Vegetarian podcast; holds a Masters in Social Work; has worked in positive youth development, child welfare, adoption, play therapy, family support and engagement, developmental assets training, community and clinical research and policy and program development; published research in academic journals and the Centre for Excellence in Child Welfare
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co-author of the bestselling books Veganomicon, Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World and Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar; author of her first solo cookbook Viva Vegan!; she contributes to VegNews‘s “Hot Urban Eats” column and has hosted the public access/podcast vegan cooking show the Post Punk Kitchen; she cooks and eats in NY
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ALAN ROETTINGER (CO) |
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author of Speed Vegan: Quick, Easy Recipes with a Gourmet Twist; a private chef for over 28 years who has cooked in private homes, catered parties and provided specialty desserts for a broad spectrum of high profile clients, from entertainers to presidents; a world traveler, he absorbed elements from many cuisines to synthesize a unique creative style of his own
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nationally known presenter, consultant and author with work featured in numerous newspapers, magazines, e-zines, and on radio; her "Dear Dr. Kerrie" column has been featured in the national award-winning, VegNews magazine; her book, The Vegan Diet as Chronic Disease Prevention, is a Publishers BestSeller, now in its 3rd printing; she provides private Functional Foods Consultations at two offices in Michigan, and remotely nationwide; she is a Certified FLT Health Care Provider, and one of four Global Diabetes Moderators for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
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RAE SIKORA (FL) |
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has been a full-time spokesperson for other species for over 30 year; is co-founder of Plant Peace Daily, Vegfund and the Institute for Humane Education; she leads compassionate living and ethical consumerism programs for diverse audiences ranging from schools and prisons to businesses and universities |
JAE STEELE, RHN (CANADA) |
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Toronto-based holistic nutritionist; author of the award-winning vegan cookbook Get It Ripe, and the forthcoming Ripe from Around Here, which focuses on local and sustainable foods (available April 2010); currently studying midwifery at Ryerson University; she posts whole foods recipes on her popular blog, domesticaffair.ca |
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co-founder of Tribe of Heart, a non-profit organization that creates award-winning, life-changing films about the journey of awakening conscience; director of The Witness, an animal advocacy film classic, and the newly released Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home, currently on the film festival circuit and winning numerous awards, including the Grand Jury Prize at the Canada International Film Festival and the Audience Award at the Environmental Film Festival at Yale; graduate of the UCLA film program whose work has been recognized by the International Documentary Association, CineWomen New York and the Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival; co-creator of HumaneMyth.org, a web resource encouraging truth, transparency and integrity in animal advocacy |
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has been involved with vegetarian and vegan-related issues for over four decades; author and co-author of sixteen books on compassionate living and vegan cuisine; contributing author to many other books, pamphlets, national publications, and magazines; senior book editor, Book Publishing Co.; international business dispute resolution specialist; award-winning column, Ask Jo! appears on her web site Grassroots Veganism |
MICHAEL STEPANIAK, BA (PA) |
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a program coordinator for the Pennsylvania Resources Council, one of the state's oldest grassroots environmental organizations; administrator of the Southwestern PA Household Hazardous Waste Task Force, which has collected and responsibly disposed of over one million pounds of toxic products and minimizes their generation through education |
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