Freya Dinshah became AVS president in 2000 after being secretary since 1960. She has been a Trustee since 1960. She is editor of American Vegan magazine (2000-present) and author of The Vegan Kitchen, the first US cookbook (1965) with vegan in its title. Freya is coauthor with her daughter Anne of the book Apples, Bean Dip, and Carrot Cake: Kids! Teach Yourself to Cook (2012).

She has been a key organizer for local and national events to encourage compassionate, healthful living. Freya has taught cooking classes to people of all ages for over fifty years. She is a lifetime vegetarian and vegan since 1960. She serves as nutrition educator and teaches basic cooking skills to children ages three to eighteen at afterschool programs in southern NJ.

Contact:  [email protected]

Vance Lehmkuhl is a longtime vegan journalist and event planner with a track record in communications and the marketing of vegan initiatives. Prior to his stint at the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News (where he worked in various online capacities and wrote Philly’s first vegan newspaper column), Vance worked in the Communications department at the Pew Charitable Trusts and managed circulation at the Curtis Institute of Music Library. He also helmed two large-scale exhibits in the main entrance area of the Free Library of Philadelphia and wrote on a variety of topics for more than a decade at Philadelphia City Paper.

Andy Mars first served AVS as a trustee when he was asked by founder Jay Dinshah in the mid-80s and returned to the council after Jay’s death in 2000. Dr. Mars has been director of his totally vegan camps for kids since 1993 and runs K-12 school and enrichment programs. He is the director of Veg Kids and of the Kids Made a Difference foundation as well as the rabbi of Bnai Tov vegan synagogue. His personal mission is: “Helping make a difference in the lives of kids; helping kids make a difference in life.” 

Anne Dinshah has been a trustee since 2001. She became AVS vice president and managing editor of American Vegan in 2013. As of 2021, she is North American director of The Vegan Trademark.

Anne is a lifelong vegan, third-generation vegetarian, mom to Clint who volunteers for AVS, and as of 2019 guardian-“mom” for Nardos. She is the author of Dating Vegans and Healthy Hearty Helpings. She coauthored the kids’ cookbook Apples, Bean Dip, and Carrot Cake with her mother Freya and the book Powerful Vegan Messages with her late father Jay. Anne credits Freya for instilling in her a love of cooking and Jay for a love of speaking to large audiences.

Anne has a MEd in sport administration from U of Texas – Austin, BA in American studies from U of Notre Dame. She has had a career as a professional rowing coach for over thirty years. She brings her leadership and knowledge of teamwork from sports to building AVS’ winning team.

Contact:  [email protected]

Barata El is an Outreach Volunteer who often emcees AVS events. He is a lifelong resident of South Jersey; he became vegan July 1 1991. Barata has a B.A. in theater arts from Rowan University. He married a beautiful native Jamaican woman in 1988 who is not vegan, so he totally understands love and socializing with people who aren’t vegan yet. He has written articles for American Vegan magazine and is an accomplished poet.

Sarah Filippi-Field is a South Jersey native and Rutgers University-Camden alumni, graduating in 2019. She became vegetarian in 2011 and vegan in 2015. She has been a volunteer at American Vegan Society since September 2015 and became second vice president in November 2018. In addition to animal rights activism and trying new vegan food, she enjoys hiking, playing the violin in a string ensemble, and traveling.                   

Contact:   [email protected]

Gabriel Figueroa has been a Life Member of AVS since 1992, vegan since 1990. Gabriel has felt connected to AVS since attending the Garden Party and Council Meeting in 1992. The impact of the Dinshahs and AVS on his life was significant as a young vegan, and it continues to influence him today. His service to AVS comes from a desire to give back to this important organization.

Gabriel holds bachelor of arts degrees in philosophy and religious studies and a master of business administration. He is currently an account manager for a major technology company. Gabriel is the co-founder and co-owner of Rabbit Food Grocery, a 100% vegan store in Austin TX, operating since 2012. His active participation in the Austin vegan community since 1993 has played a critical role in its becoming one of the most vegan friendly cities in the nation. Gabriel shares his life with his three adopted cats who constantly remind him that animals are people too.

Rebecca Aslam is a nutrition advisor for AVS and American Vegan magazine. She has written many articles published in American Vegan and at times is also an assistant editor. She is a registered dietitian working to educate both patients and employees at a teaching hospital in MA. She is a lifelong vegan and fourth-generation vegetarian. She loves experimenting with vegan cooking and is a member of the AVS Speakers Bureau.

Sharonda Harris-Bunton is the owner/chef of Vegans Are Us restaurants in Vineland and Atlantic City NJ. Sharonda has a BA in sociology. She is a certified nutritionist, personal trainer, and certified instructor to teach bootcamp, strength training, Tabata HIIT training, bootcamp, and kickboxing. Sharonda is also an actress and model.

Sharonda’s mission is to convert one person at a time to vegan by using her comforting soul food. Many customers share that they have completely changed their nutrition plan to vegan since visiting Vegans are Us and are sticking with it. This is the best kind of news Sharonda likes to hear.

Ana M. Negrón, M.D., was born and raised in Puerto Rico. Dr. Negrón is a board-certified family physician who has made cooking with patients integral to her practice. She helps people transition to a whole-plant diet, thereby reducing the inflammation which is at the root of most chronic medical conditions. Dr. Negrón volunteers at a clinic for the uninsured and teaches family doctors the role of food in medicine. Her book, Nourishing the Body and Recovering Health: The Positive Science of Food published by Sunstone Press, is an antidote to our reliance on pharmaceuticals.

Mark Rifkin is a nutrition advisor for AVS and American Vegan magazine. He holds a master’s degree in health education from Towson University and is a registered dietician. A vegan since 1986, he has been speaking on nutrition and food-related topics since 1997. He is a member of the AVS Speakers Bureau.

Saurabh Dalal is an engineering consultant and physicist who is passionate in promoting a vegan lifestyle and ahimsa (nonviolence) as compelling solutions to many global issues. Saurabh is a lifelong vegetarian and vegan since 1991 for ethical reasons. He volunteers for many groups, has been a board member/board advisor for numerous like-minded organizations, has been active in the Jain community internationally, and is an avid ethical investor for decades. He explores ways of integrating sound science into related areas of his activism.

Sherimane Johnson is the Vegan Chef and owner of Night Owl Vegan (the Philadelphia-based vegan meal plan service), NaturallySweet Desserts (a vegan bakery) and Plant Powered Shift (a coaching program that assists in the transition to a vegan lifestyle). Sherimane’s experiences with the health benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle encouraged the creation of the businesses and interest in sharing the benefits with others. Sherimane works with the local farms and high schools in the community to connect farms and the youth to inspire interest in veganism, food insecurity, and environmental stewardship. Sherimane holds a B.S. in Behavioral Science from Mercy College in NYC.  She enjoys cooking, vegan food festivals, and old school hip-hop.

Eric Nyman owns and operates Wildflower Vegan Café in Millville NJ, one of the longest-running all-vegan eateries in the state. A longtime vegan and second- generation vegetarian, he enthusiastically advises start-up vegan businesses and seeks to create environments conducive to enlightenment. Eric minored in history and holds a BA in philosophy from Montclair State University and enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, and woodworking. He wishes his vegan son would eat vegetables and all exploitation would end, but isn’t sure which will happen first.

Miyoko Schinner became a General Advisor to American Vegan Society in 2023. She is a long-time member of the American Vegan Speakers Bureau and was the cover story of American Vegan magazine for Summer 2017. Miyoko is also honored during Vegan Cuisine Month every February 22 for her achievements as a food developer.

Miyoko is an award-winning chef, author, speaker, and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Miyoko’s Creamery, a leading plant-milk dairy company whose products are sold internationally. Miyoko has been recognized by major media outlets as a cultural icon and is on the coveted inaugural list of “Forbes 50 Over 50,” as well as being named one of INC. Magazine’s “Top 100 Female Founders of 2022,” a “Game Changer” by Food and Wine magazine, and a “Vegan Revolutionary” by UN Women.

Calling herself an epicurean activist, she has worked tirelessly for over thirty years to reimagine a food system built on sustainability, equity, and compassion for animals. Her popular cookbooks, products, and thought leadership have inspired people across the globe to reconsider their food choices and take personal joy and responsibility in helping to participate in a better food system.  She has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Food and Wine, Bloomberg, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and most major media platforms.

Miyoko “walks the talk” with how she lives her life. She is the founder of Rancho Compasión a farm-animal sanctuary that is home to over 100 animals of different species, as well as cofounder of LEAP (Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet), a youth program that teaches sustainability and compassion.

Anthony Dissen is a registered dietitian nutritionist, focusing on plant-based nutrition and lifestyle medicine. He works as a professor at Stockton University in the School of Health Sciences, and teaches courses on human nutrition, therapeutic nutrition, community and public health nutrition, health communication, health literacy, and the medical humanities. In addition, Anthony provides presentations and workshops on nutrition, health, and wellness for a number of different nonprofit organizations throughout NJ.

Victoria Moran, General Advisor, has been vegan for over 35 years and a longtime supporter of
AVS. Moran is an inspirational speaker, host of the Main Street Vegan podcast, and the founder and
director of Main Street Vegan Academy, training and certifying vegan lifestyle coaches. She is also the
bestselling author of thirteen books covering topics from philosophy to cooking, and she is the lead
producer of the documentary, A Prayer for Compassion, introducing vegan living to people of faith. She
lives in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City with her husband, rescue dog, and handicapped
pigeon.

John Pierre, General Advisor, has loved American Vegan Society since he first met H. Jay Dinshah at a conference in 1994 Jay introduced JP to ahimsa. Jay’s lectures were great, but what JP cherished most was when everyone else was going to various other lectures, JP would walk the other direction to the bookstore to be with Jay in the quiet times when Jay was working.

JP is a nutrition and fitness consultant, famous as a personal trainer to celebrities, rock stars, and Fortune 500 CEOs. People know they will get fit with JP, they eventually value the ahimsa message too.

JP is the author of the book Pillars of Health and runs an animal sanctuary in Colorado. Livingwithharmony.org

Janani has a passion for climate justice, animal rights, and human rights. She is the founder of Girls Play Global, a grassroots nonprofit that educates and empowers girls in rural India through soccer. She is also a member of the Youth Agricultural Revolution that lobbies for the end of factory farming.

Janani hopes to pursue a career with a focus on social justice and continue advocating for global issues. In her free time, she loves running, playing with her dog, and eating delicious vegan food!

Theresa Anderson works for American Vegan Society as the North American manager of The Vegan Trademark and AVS special projects assistant. She has an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in data processing technology from Burlington County College (now Rowan College at Burlington County). Theresa became vegan in 2008 for ethical reasons, and she began volunteering for AVS as an office assistant in 2018.

Theresa is passionate about helping animals. She has volunteered her free time for wildlife transport, capture and rehabilitation, diamondback terrapin road patrol (Great Bay Terrapin Project) and horseshoe crab rescue (ReTURN the Favor). Theresa is also the volunteer membership coordinator for NJveg. As a South Jersey native, she enjoys wildlife watching in her own backyard. She also loves theatre and all things Disney! She shares her life with her many cat companions who have shown her the true meaning of unconditional love.

Contact: [email protected]

Carolyn Githens is graphics director/assistant editor for American Vegan magazine and an AVS events and marketing assistant. She has a BA in fine arts from Stockton University.

Carol became vegetarian in 1981, vegan in 1986, and began working at AVS in 2006. Her cats (Simba and Naomi) are vegan too. Carol has taught vegan cooking classes as community outreach. She is also vice president of Vegetarian Society of South Jersey.

Carol’s interests include animal rights activism, music, nature, and outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, kayaking, and discovering new places off the beaten path.

Contact: [email protected]

Frank has been an office assistant at American Vegan Society since summer of 2022. Frank went vegetarian in 2020, and vegan at the beginning of 2023. A South Jersey native, Frank graduated from Drexel University with a BA in history and political science. Frank has spent over 20 years volunteering with youth and young adults with intellectual differences. Frank enjoys history, philosophy, sports (especially rugby and ice hockey), music, movies, dad jokes (the cornier the better), and is rarely seen without his trusty water bottle.

Contact: [email protected]

Contact: [email protected]

Vickie became vegetarian in the mid-1980’s; she decided to try a completely plant-based diet in 2008 and has been enjoying exclusively vegan cuisine ever since. Her main goals were to better her health and to protect the environment. When she moved to NJ from Philadelphia in 2004, she noticed there were vast number of fast food chains and restaurants, but not many serving healthy fare, which made it difficult to eat out. She found American Vegan Society (AVS) on the internet and has been enjoying AVS events ever since. “AVS has educated me on the purpose of veganism. At the AVS-hosted dinners and educational programs I was introduced to new friends who have similar interests.”

Contact: [email protected]

Contact: [email protected]

Lisa became vegetarian in her late 20’s after reading a pamphlet from the Vegetarian Society of South Jersey about the egregious and needless suffering of animals. With continued learning, she eventually became vegan. Lisa has a BS in graphic design and a Masters degree in speech-language pathology. However, her real passion lies in spreading the message of compassion to those who will listen. She has volunteered for years with local NJ veg groups, taught cooking classes, and enjoys educating through general outreach. She has volunteered with the American Vegan Society for many years and is now working with them as a Trademark Assistant.

Contact: [email protected]

Regan Falkenstein became the AVS Communications and Merchandise Assistant in 2023. She was a volunteer greeter at American Vegan Center since 2021. She has been a vegan since 2019, and was vegetarian prior. Regan went vegan for the animals. 

Contact: regan@americanvegan.org

Contact: [email protected]

Kevin Quasti is a 2022 graduate of Penn State University, where he majored in economics and minored in philosophy. A vegan-in-progress, Kevin enjoys learning new ways to replace animal products using his skills in the kitchen. When not working for AVS, he likes to read, watch documentaries, practice martial arts, and write stories that satirize the meat industry.

Contact: [email protected]

Clint Merrick Dinshah performs a variety of jobs at AVS. His biggest task is Fitness Manager where he reminds everyone to maintain their health by taking breaks from the office work and have fun outdoors doing activities such as croquet, tennis, baseball, hiking, or even yardwork. He coordinates team outings such as kayaking and bike rides. Clint also makes cooking videos for kids, does mailings with Freya, and especially enjoys being the human snow plow or raking leaves. Clint is a full-time student whose favorite subject is physical education. 

Nardos Seiler loves his volunteer job. He enjoys helping customers find a great snack, shirt, or book. He gives out food samples to passers-by, encourages people to come inside to meet Hope Belle Ahimsa (the life-size plush cow), and does photography for use on social media. Nardos likes to be active and have fun. His favorite sports are tennis, swimming, and soccer. He grew up his first four years of life in Turmi Ethiopia with a meat-centered diet. When his father (a relative of Anne Dinshah, Peter, had built a school there) died suddenly, the village asked if Nardos could come to the U.S. for his education. Nardos connected with his innate compassion (and Anne’s delicious vegan cooking) to become a good help in the kitchen and a vegan of his own choice.
He is AVS’ youngest regular volunteer, born in 2014.

Lois Dinshah enjoys proofreading American Vegan magazine and volunteering in the office with tasks such as payroll taxes. She has been vegan since 1962. Lois enjoys gardening and her houseplants, doing yardwork, and taking line-dance class. She has 6 children, 14 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren. She likes to talk to animals and plants; she notes that the squirrels in her yard are too fast for conversation.

Marian Wade has been a volunteer with American Vegan Society September 2021. She works as a Greeter at American Vegan Center (AVC) in Old City Philly. She and her husband have been vegan since August 2017. She is a retired BSN (bachelor of science in nursing) and a Certified Case Manager, so Marian has experience teaching people and enjoys helping people who come into AVC. She enjoys her time there, especially meeting folks from around the country. Her favorite items sold are the quiches from High Fidelity Bakery.

Deborah Emin has been involved in environmental causes for decades before realizing the necessity to go vegan in 2013. As a writer, activist, and teacher, she has learned best by doing the work of helping others. Outreach is a passion.

Having the opportunity to integrate the American Vegan Society’s books and informational material into her pop-up bookstore, The LOCALS’ Bookshop, will allow Deborah to travel throughout her northeastern PA area spreading the news, sharing the message of loving the planet and all who live in and on it. Her motto is: #GoVegan #ReadBooks.

Contact: 917-655-3745, DeborahEminBooks.com

Faylee Favara was a vegetarian for 20 years and has been a vegan for 15 more! She is a professional theater director and educator as well as a prevention specialist focused in gender and violence. As a freelance proofreader and copy editor, she finds joy in volunteering with AVS.

Carrie Plummer has been vegan since 1989 and is a founding member of Northern Vegans. Carrie and her husband, Jeff, happily homeschool their born and raised vegan son, Henry.  Carrie is an advocate for health freedom, practices yoga regularly, enjoys hikes, nature, and music and has discovered from her son that even the tiniest of creatures need rescuing. The Plummers learned more about life, love, and veganism in the summer of 2020 when Henry found Pierre, a grasshopper with a severed jumping leg.  Pierre lived with the family for 5 months before he passed on.

Info coming soon!

Jim has a bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s University (Phila PA) and a doctorate from Sherman College of Chiropractic (Spartanburg SC). He has been practicing at Haddonfield Chiropractic Center for past 42 years, and has been adjunct professor at Peirce College (Phila PA) for 25 years and Rowan University (Glassboro NJ) for 10 years.

Ashton Hicks has been an Assistant Editor for American Vegan magazine since Spring 2017. She is a former AVS marketing and communications intern. Ashton graduated from SUNY Fredonia with a B.S. in Biology and Leadership Studies Minor. She enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as learning about lifestyles that are different from her own. She enjoys learning about the vegan lifestyle, and although Ashton is not vegan yet, she highly recommends the food. She loves reading all the diverse submissions to the magazine and is always looking forward to reading the next piece!