Team OMD

What brought you to OMD?
I started working with Suzy in 2014, across several of her plant-based initiatives, including Plant Power Task Force, which focused on raising awareness of the effects of animal ag on the environment and promoting plant-based solutions for climate change. OMD, the book and movement, was born out of our work together and inspired by Suzy’s passion for all things plant-based and environmentally sustainable. I’m here because of my love for our majestic and imperiled planet.

What’s your favorite plant-based meal?
Having cooked for kids for almost 20 years, my favorite meal is the one that I don’t have to prepare. My go-to places include our local farmers market, nearby Indian and Mexican restaurants, and the chains, Sweet Greens and Veggie Grill.

How do you express yourself creatively outside of work?
I try to pause, which includes napping, a new skill I’m hoping to master. I write. I read. I walk often. I dance. I do not craft.

What brought you to OMD?
The goals of OMD are a reflection of my greatest passions and I’m honored to do what I’ve been called to do. Since I was a small child, I’ve had a spiritual relationship to food. Before I learned to ride a bike, I became a vegetarian and donated my weekly allowance to animal protection groups. As a teen, I was very passionate about nutrition and the natural world. I love celebrating the beautiful world of delicious plant-based foods as a solution to climate change, species extinction, water pollution, and deforestation.

What’s your favorite plant-based meal?
I love whipping up a fresh farmer’s market batch of basil pesto for dipping veggies and warm pita. I also enjoy the rich, warming spices of international cuisine — from coconut milk and chickpea stews to pumpkin curry dishes.

How do you express yourself creatively outside of work?
As a mother of two adorable boys, I spend a lot of time exploring nature. I also enjoy creative cooking projects – throwing together new iterations of my favorite stews, dips, and desserts. I love crafts, swimming in the sunshine, my weekly yoga practice, and dancing to world music.

What brought you to OMD? 
I joined OMD after working at other environmental and animal welfare organizations. I was inspired to make the shift to join OMD because of the opportunity to touch people’s hearts through story, creatively and equitably increase access, and invite people into the delicious world of plant-based foods.

What’s your favorite plant-based meal?
I love anything from Asia — whether it’s a spicy Indian malai kofta, a citrusy Thai tom kha soup or a savory Japanese curry.

How do you express yourself creatively outside of work?
I write a stream of consciousness practice to center my cluttered mind. I also am an amateur ceramicist and love taking photos to find inspiration while connecting with nature — especially while plodding along trails in silence.

What brought you to OMD?
I’ve been radicalized since undergrad, where I majored in Urban & Community Horticulture.

Something about growing food for myself and others motivated me to be more active in creating equity in my local food system, especially in terms of changing the “what and who” of being plant-based looked like. OMD drew me in by being so revolutionary in its simplicity; we can truly heal ourselves, each other, and the environment by making a conscious choice to eat something green for one meal a day.

What’s your favorite plant-based meal?
Great question! I’m a true Southerner at heart, so I stick close to my roots. My favorite plate is a good country-fried tofu, roasted greens, and vegan mac & cheeze (the secret ingredient is white miso paste). I’m also very fond of tofu & grits, black beans & rice, and jackfruit BBQ.

How do you express yourself creatively outside of work?
I like to consider myself a fledgling plant-based chef, so I’m often working on recipes. I also like to spend time on my digital zine about agriculture and environment, GRNS Zine.

What brought you to OMD?
I was drawn to OMD because of its mission to draw attention to how our individual actions can make a big difference in reducing the effect of climate change. Factory farms in America pollute our land, air, and water, make people sick, hurt animals, and exploit farm workers. Instead of just feeling powerless, I wanted to get involved and help change our food system and inspire others to do the same.

What’s your favorite plant-based meal?
My favorite meal is vegan chilaquiles in red sauce topped with cashew crema and tofu scramble served with a side of beans and nopalitos. Spicy ramen with miso broth and lots of garlic and vegetables is a close second.

How do you express yourself creatively outside of work?
I love to write and read in English and Spanish. My other interests include taking pictures of dogs I meet while traveling and creating plant-based versions of the Mexican and Japanese foods I grew up with.

What brought you to OMD?
I arrived at OMD with a shared belief that plant-based eating has the ability to radically transform the health of our planet, our people, and our future. As a student of Buckminster Fuller, I am always asking myself, “how are we going to make the world work for all humanity without ecological offense to the planet?” I’ve grown convinced that plant-based eating plays a critical role in answering that challenge. That’s why I’m so excited to have joined OMD and work each day towards a more plant-forward future.

What’s my favorite plant-based meal?
I absolutely love pizza. I love making pizza, eating pizza, and sharing pizza with friends and family. My favorite pizzas are the ones made at home: loaded with veggies, grilled to perfection, and with just the slightest sprinkle of vegan cheese. I also love that just by saying “no cheese, please” you can transform so many restaurant pies into delicious plant-based meals that are satiable, shareable, and easy on the budget!

How do you express yourself creatively outside of work?
I write and perform spoken word poetry around town, build things from wood in my garage, and find myself in as many random coffee shop conversations as possible.