Dr. Linda Alvarez, PhD, Co-founder
Linda received her Ph.D. in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in International Relations from Claremont Graduate University. She also holds an Master’s Degree in Latin American Studies from California State University, Los Angles. Her scholarly interests revolve around exploring the ways in which underrepresented and marginalized groups interact, challenge and resist dominant structures of power. As a political scientist, she works within the frameworks of comparative political behavior, political psychology, transnational migration, social movements, race and ethnic politics, food politics and the study of violence and trauma among underrepresented and marginalized populations.
Linda has been involved in animal rights advocacy and activism for 20 years, and she is dedicated to spreading awareness on issues of food (in)justice in communities of color.
Linda is co-creator of the People of Color: Animal Rights, Advocacy and Food Justice Conference, which takes place in Los Angeles and organized through Vegan Advocacy Initiative.
Linda is also an active gardener. She is invested in veganic gardening and farming practices, and might be slightly obsessed with the amazing life systems beneath the ground, namely the interaction of soil, fungus and worms.
You can contact Linda and Liz at info(@)veganai(dot)org
Liz Ross, Co-founder
Liz is a graduate of James Madison University, Virginia. She is co-creator of the People of Color: Animal Rights, Advocacy and Food Justice Conference, which takes place in Los Angeles and organized through Vegan Advocacy Initiative.
Liz is the Founding Director of Rethink Your Food Inc., a registered charitable NGO that creates campaigns to encourage the public to become more involved, conscientious eaters.
Liz worked in the real estate sector for over 15 years, for two multi-national corporations in project management, marketing and event planning.
A former police officer, Liz raised awareness (from 2013 to 2018) about the history and problem of mass-incarceration through volunteering for organizations that are working to counter its negative impact and presenting on topics, including, “The Politics of the ‘War on Drugs’ and how so-called ‘Race Neutral’ Policies Helped Shape Policing Practices”.
Liz has facilitated workshops and consulted for organizations, and individuals in leadership positions, interested in fostering an anti-racist climate in the workplace and in their personal lives. Liz received certification in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University.
Liz studied regenerative farming and food systems through a social justice lens, at the U.C. Santa Cruz, Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems program, on their 30-acre farm and intentional community. She studied permaculture at Occidental Arts and Ecology Center.
Liz enjoys plant-based cooking and honed her culinary skills through Rouxbe Culinary School. Liz also completed the Center for Nutrition Studies Plant-Based Nutrition program at Cornell University. She enjoys trail running and veganic gardening.
You can contact Linda and Liz at info(@)veganai(dot)org
