2024 SPEAKERS

KEYNOTE: JOHN OBERG

John Oberg is an animal advocate dedicated to making the world a kinder place for animals by utilizing the power of social media. A vegan since 2009 and full-time animal activist since 2012, he became an independent animal advocate in 2018 funded through individual donations, focusing on amplifying pro-animal content in the digital space. Previously, he served as Director of New Media for The Humane League and as Director of Communications for Vegan Outreach. In his decade of experience in social media advocacy, he has made over 100 media appearances, has accumulated 250,000 followers, his posts have been seen over one billion times, and he has heard directly from thousands of people who've been influenced by his work.

Time: 12:15 - 1:15pm

  • John Oberg will discuss his journey to and through animal advocacy and how he learned to harness the power that we all have at our fingertips to help animals - social media. He'll help guide animal advocates with useful tips and tricks to maximize their impact for animals in the digital space and beyond.

EXCEPTIONAL SPEAKERS

DINO SARMA-WEIERMAN, Author of Alternative Vegan

Time: 11:15am - 12:15pm

  • Dino Sarma-Weierman has been a vegan since 2005 after he heard on a vegan podcast “if you’re vegetarian for animal rights issues, you should just go vegan, because it’s easier and more consistent” and did so within a month of hearing that message. He lives in New Jersey, where his apartment is the hub for all his LGBTQ+ friends (who have become family by this point), where everyone gets together to cook and eat lovely vegan foods.

    His cookbook Alternative Vegan features food that’s generally accessible to folk regardless of their income or dietary needs. He cooks with whatever is available, and wants you to do so too! He worked as a chef for about 7 years in a restaurant in downtown New York City.

    Currently, he’s working at an office job, and cooks in his spare time. You can catch him on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/dinosarma where he filmed cooking videos during the COVID lockdown, to keep his family entertained.

  • Coming Soon

TASHA MIRONE

Time: 11:15am - 12:15pm

  • Tasha Mirone is a vegan of 14 years, owns her own pet care business for 20 years and worked in animal rescue for 10 years.

    She currently lives in Austin, TX where she is passionate about playing Pokemon Go and exploring new places, the weirder the better. She enjoys haggling for good deals around the globe and loves trying food and/or wine that’s a little off the beaten path.

  • Coming Soon

Time: 1:15 - 2:15pm

  • Thomas has been a lifelong admirer of animals, was raised vegetarian from birth and later became a professional advocate for change in 2014. He has since worked in various initiatives such as corporate outreach, federal state and regulatory advocacy, promotion of Meatless Mondays, leafleting across North America, public speaking, campaigning, community organizing, and more for the animal protection movement.

  • Coming Soon

KRISTIN SCHRANK, Animal Advocacy Lawyer

Time: 2:15 - 3:15pm

  • Animal lover and advocate since birth, attorney by profession. Attorney Kristin Schrank grew up in Southeastern Wisconsin where she continues to live with 4 rescues: two cats, a Chihuahua mix, and a three-legged American Staffordshire Terrier.

    After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Political Science, Ms. Schrank attended Marquette University Law School (MULS). While at MULS, Ms. Schrank participated in the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund. While working as an attorney both in the public and private sector, Ms. Schrank has continued to advocate on behalf of animals.

    As a prosecutor, Ms. Schrank received a meritorious service award from the Department of Natural Resources for her work on cases involving violations of laws involving wildlife. While working in private practice, Ms. Schrank has worked with individuals and organizations that have sought to introduce new legislation aimed at protecting animals.

    Most recently, Ms. Schrank was involved in defending an individual accused of freeing beagles from a puppy mill.

    Ms. Schrank is a Humane Policy Leader with the Humane Society of the United States and serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Wisconsin-based Alliance for Animals.

  • Feel like the system doesn’t listen? Not sure where to start? Is this a crime? Should I report it? Who should I report it to? What if they do not respond?

    Kristin Schrank will talk you through a few common scenarios that involve animal cruelty. From the initial report to perpetrator accountability, Ms. Schrank will simplify the process for you.

COLE ADAM, RD, Vegan Dietitian

Time: 3:15 - 4:15pm

  • Cole Adam is a registered dietitian and Madison native. He earned his degree in nutrition science from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and has over a decade of work experience as a clinical dietitian. Having personally been vegan for 13 years (and counting), Cole has a thorough understanding of the health benefits and potential shortcomings of a vegan diet.

    He is passionate about helping people thrive on healthy vegan diets, as well as the environmental and animal welfare benefits associated with this way of eating.

  • Coming Soon

AARON YARMEL, Associate Director of the Center for Ethics and Human Values at The Ohio State University

Time: 4:15 - 5:00pm

  • Dr. Aaron Yarmel (PhD, MA, MSc, BM) is the Associate Director of the Center for Ethics and Human Values at The Ohio State University.

    In addition to overseeing all CEHV programs, Aaron leads its efforts on dialogue facilitation and skill building, outreach, and the ETHOS Fellows program as part of the University's Shared Values Initiative.

    Outside of his role with CEHV, he is the Founding Director of Philosophy Counseling and Consulting: an organization that offers dialogue facilitation training and philosophical counseling in the Logic-Based Therapy tradition. Aaron regularly offers workshops in dialogue facilitation through these organizations and in collaboration with the Philosophy, Learning, and Teaching Organization (PLATO) and the Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children.

    Aaron is passionate about advocating for animal rights and has been a vegan for 13 years. He frequently gives talks and workshops about animal ethics, social movement theory, and dialogue facilitation at activist conferences, universities, and festivals. Aaron is currently training to run his second marathon and is an accomplished classical musician who has performed with a variety of orchestras and music festivals in the United States and Europe.

  • It's difficult to start a conversation with someone who disagrees with you about the issues that matter most. It's even more difficult to navigate such conversations while being curious, charitable, conscientious, and constructive. Yet such conversations are essential for our ability to advocate for the rights of animals as well as for the well-being of our communities.

    In this interactive workshop, I'll help you on your journey to develop and practice the skills needed for even the most difficult conversations. I appreciate a challenge, so don't be afraid to bring your toughest examples!

ANN TRINH

Time: 4:15 - 5:00pm (co-speaking with Aaron Yarmel)

  • Ann Trinh is a seasoned sales professional who brings over 13 years of experience navigating high-stakes negotiations and coaching others to do the same. She is currently the National Channel Manager for Quest Software where she was previously a Regional Sales Manager.

    Ann is also an actress, director, and filmmaker, having performed in numerous independent films, 48-Hour Film Festivals, and commercials.

    Through her work in sales and film, Ann has developed expertise in helping people remain open to dialogue, nurturing others while challenging their views, and tailoring communication to resonate with target audiences by focusing on empathy and storytelling.

    She is excited to use this expertise to empower others to engage in dialogues that lead the way towards a more compassionate world.

  • It's difficult to start a conversation with someone who disagrees with you about the issues that matter most. It's even more difficult to navigate such conversations while being curious, charitable, conscientious, and constructive. Yet such conversations are essential for our ability to advocate for the rights of animals as well as for the well-being of our communities.

    In this interactive workshop, I'll help you on your journey to develop and practice the skills needed for even the most difficult conversations. I appreciate a challenge, so don't be afraid to bring your toughest examples!