I had the privilege of participating in a lively panel discussion with 3 fellow vegan activists — and vegan moderator — the president of the San Francisco Vegan Society — for a chock-full 90 minutes on March 3, 2026. Each of us specializes in working in a different (though overlapping) sector of the vegan and animal rights movement.
Our group included grassroots organizing, street campaigning, public outreach & advocacy, and also a farmed animals sanctuary operator. (These sanctuaries not only save the lives of animals rescued from death at the human hands of “farming,” but also, crucially, offer the general public a chance to get to know the so-called “farmed animals” like cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, goats, sheep and turkeys as individual personalities, just like your dog or cat has.
WATCH VIDEO Panel Talk (below):
We panelists share our perspectives from our work as activists, our personal evolution from mainstream or “normal” to vegan, to vegan activist, and discuss what’s been effective in our work. And also what’s been challenging, frustrating and inspiring; the What and Why of our passionate, ongoing advocacy for our animal friends, for the planet, and for us humans — since we all share the same one home. (And it sure ain’t Mars, Elon.)
Watch and we hope, learn, from our discussion, airing our different views and choices. We hope you’ll gain some insights, more clarity and a truckload of encouragement to follow your own heart to join us in helping for fellow animal lovers.
4 Vegan Activist PANELISTS:
• Kathy Cullen, Jolene’s Retreat farmed animal sanctuary
• Jack Gescheidt, Founder, The TreeSpirit Project
• Mike Rupena, A/V (Anonymous for the Voiceless) SF Chapter Organizer
• Lia Wilbourn, IDA (In Defense of Animals), Farmed Animals Campaigner
Moderator: Rachel Bordoli, President, San Francisco Vegan Society