COMPASSION OVER KILLING, INC.
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA

Yes, please sign me up for Compassion Over Killing's E-news! Working to end animal abuse since 1995, Compassion Over Killing exposes cruelty to farmed animals and promotes vegetarian eating as a way to build a kinder world. on a proposed rule to hold transportation firms accountable for animal cruelty during transport. Jessica officially became a vegan in January 2016, after gradually eliminating animal products from her diet beginning in 2011. She is committed to equipping people with the information and tools that they need to positively impact their quality of life by embracing a plant-powered lifestyle. Irina works to protect farm animals through litigation and undercover investigations. A lifetime lover of animals, she became particularly passionate about farm animal issues in law school after watching documentaries about industrial agriculture. She interned at Compassion Over Killing the summer after her first year and joined the COK legal team in 2016. Moved by the plight of captive hermit crabs sold every summer as trinkets at beach boardwalks, Laura started her own advocacy effort in 2014 to help keep these animals in the wild. She is also particularly fond of pigs and enjoys snuggling with her rescued potbellied pig, Peppercorn. Scott began cutting animal products out of his diet in 2010. After getting his master’s degree in Applied Ecology, he joined an afterschool education program where he taught students about animals and the environment. He then worked for two years as an undercover investigator for Compassion Over Killing. With an extensive background in event planning and fundraising, Robin helps coordinate various special events at COK including the DC VegFest and our annual holiday celebration. Robin has been active with COK as a volunteer and team member for several years. She has also worked at the Washington Humane Society and PETA, and she also currently volunteers with Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary to help organize the 5K Run for Animals. Mary Beth joined the team at COK in 2016 to help shape branding and public relations initiatives and has since played a key role in garnering national press coverage for COK’s undercover investigations in The New York Times and USA Today. A passionate educator and intersectional activist, Simone transitioned from vegetarian to vegan after leafleting for COK in 2007. Now back in the DC area, she is excited to volunteer with Compassion Over Killing on a regular basis, helping with outreach, research, and wherever needed! He has a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a B.A. from the University of Chicago, where he studied Philosophy and Biology. During law school, he worked at Public Citizen Litigation Group and GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD). Lara has been designing for COK since 2005, bringing visual awareness and accessibility to the organization’s mission. She lays out Compassionate Action, our member magazine, as well as other printed pro-veg materials. She’s also created logos and developed the visuals for many of COK’s campaigns, collateral, and events including US VegWeek and the DC VegFest. Prior to moving to the US (with her two cats!), Elena worked in the auto industry as a business/data analyst. A wizard of words, lover of all living things and vegan mac ‘n cheese master, Hannah Sentenac writes content for COK that helps spread the word about the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle. Working to end animal abuse since 1995, Compassion Over Killing exposes cruelty to farmed animals and promotes vegetarian eating as a way to build a kinder world. Working to end animal abuse since 1995, Compassion Over Killing exposes cruelty to farmed animals and promotes vegetarian eating as a way to build a kinder world. As our society is increasingly engaging in the difficult yet long overdue dialogue about gender inequities, discrimination, and sexual misconduct, the animal protection movement is now beginning to more openly acknowledge the reality that we are not immune to these issues. That’s why I’m reaching out to you today — to share our views and visions as well as the steps we’re taking to continue providing a safe and productive environment for the entire Compassion Over Killing family. We at COK stand united in our mission to build a kinder world for all. Our core values of truth, justice, and compassion inform our strategic advocacy for animals as well as guide our interactions with the general public, supporters, volunteers, and each other. While women comprise the overwhelming majority of our movement, it’s notable that leadership roles and key decision-making positions within many organizations remain filled by men. This is one of the ways in which COK stands out, leading by example. Whenever individuals don’t feel safe or comfortable enough to fully engage in their work or related activities, our ability as a movement to bring about lasting and meaningful change is undermined. Harassment or other forms of discrimination disempower individuals and ultimately harm the animals we are all here to serve. We continue to take proactive steps to ensure we provide a safe and productive workplace for all. Our comprehensive, zero-tolerance At COK, we believe our organization — and our movement — is strengthened and emboldened by fostering a diversity of voices, ideas, strategies, and perspectives. Creating a more inclusive culture in our movement that also accepts and encourages critical, yet productive dialogue requires a foundation of mutual respect, and more specifically a safe environment that is free from harassment, prejudice, and threats. This is vital for the sustainability and integrity of our movement, and it’s vital for the sake of the billions of animals we are all here to protect. In order to make this vision a reality, we must all work together and stand united in our shared mission to fight for compassion, justice, and equality for all. Working to end animal abuse since 1995, Compassion Over Killing exposes cruelty to farmed animals and promotes vegetarian eating as a way to build a kinder world.