Meet Our Team

Vanessa, our Founder, holds a Master’s in Law with a specialization in Animal Law. She has extensive experience handling mistreatment and abuse cases in court and has volunteered with animal welfare associations in both France and Africa. Currently pursuing a PhD in Animal and International Law, Vanessa is deeply committed to the cause, fighting for animals is not just her passion, it’s everything.

Virginia, our Treasurer at Voices for Animal Welfare, is an experienced accountant with a strong background in financial management and administration. With a diploma in Commercial Services and proficiency in accounting tools, Virginia ensures meticulous financial oversight and transparency for our organization. Her deep love for animals drives her commitment to our mission, and her organizational skills and collaborative spirit play a crucial role in managing resources to protect and support animal welfare.

Bringing over 10 years of expertise in general management, operations, and business development across East and West Africa, Jessica is a seasoned leader with a unique ability to build effective systems from the ground up. She is an expert in training design, personal development, and strategic planning, and she has successfully led large teams of over 60 employees and 200 agents. Jessica’s strong foundation is built on an MBA and a Law Degree, providing the strategic vision and rigor crucial for her role. As our Acting Vice President Tanzania, she is pivotal in transforming our operations and maximizing the impact of our mission on the ground.

Marine, one of our Scientific Advisors, is a veterinarian specializing in large animals with international experience in animal health and welfare.Currently pursuing a PhD focused on dromedary camel reproduction, she bridges clinical practice and advanced scientific investigation. With a strong background in equine medicine and herd health, Marine brings a unique combination of field expertise and academic insight. Passionate about animal welfare as the foundation for sustainable production and community health, she is dedicated to advancing veterinary science while supporting local communities through practical, welfare-driven solutions.

Olivia is an Environmental Engineer based in Argentina with a strong commitment to sustainability, biodiversity, and animal welfare. Throughout her career, she has gained experience in project management, research, and knowledge-sharing, working with international teams across the energy and environmental sectors. Passionate about conservation and giving a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves, Olivia combines her technical background with her communication skills to make complex issues accessible and engaging. She is dedicated to raising awareness and inspiring action through clear, compelling narratives that connect people with the urgent challenges of our time.

Rory Nail is a Master’s graduate in Animal Science from Indonesia, specializing in animal welfare and livestock development strategies. He has experience in observing animal welfare in ex-situ conservation settings, including behavioral assessment, body condition evaluation, and population dynamics. He has also participated in various research projects across different academic fields, supporting interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific development.

Wildlife conservationist with years of experience around the globe and a taste for both fieldwork and communication, Julien never misses an occasion to work alongside new teams, countries and species. He's always ready for new challenges and exciting objectives, may it be handling wildlife programs, doing field monitoring surveys or sharing his passion for nature with various audiences.

Alexis (Lexi) is one of the Scientific Advisors and has a PhD in Molecular Biosciences. With her background in Medical Entomology, Zoonoses and Parasitology, she is passionate about understanding disease from a One Health perspective. Central to her view is that we cannot have a healthy planet if we leave the other animals behind, and she is determined to advocate on their behalf. She enjoys unveiling the inherent links between environmental factors, climate and animal welfare to better inform policy makers.

Melkizedeck is a professional based in Tanzania with expertise in veterinary medicine and livestock management, combining a deep understanding of conservation biology and ecosystem management. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Project Management, he brings skills in managing projects, research, wildlife management, and data analysis. His expertise in clinical diagnosis, treatment of animals, and prevention of diseases has led to livestock improvement and animal welfare. A skilled communicator, he bridges technical expertise with community engagement, allowing technical concepts to be easily understood. He is passionate about animal welfare, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development, he has worked with renowned organizations such as AFRISOS, TANAPA, NCAA, WMAs, Food For His Children, and Government. His experience includes human-wildlife conflict mitigation, storytelling, environment protection, ecotourism, sustainable climate-smart agriculture, and community based initiatives.

Chrispus is an Animal Law and Policy Advisor with a Master’s degree in International Studies and a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Technology. Passionate about the intersection of research, policy, and innovation, he brings a multidisciplinary lens to animal welfare and advocacy. As a seasoned volunteer with several NGOs in Kenya, Chrispus has been actively involved in projects aimed at creating meaningful social impact and empowering communities. He thrives in multicultural environments and values collaboration across diverse perspectives. At Voices for Animal Welfare, he supports the Animal Law & Policy Advisory Committee by contributing to legal research, policy analysis, and cross-regional knowledge-sharing. His role includes helping shape programs and advocacy initiatives that strengthen ethical, culturally informed, and globally connected animal welfare policies.

With extensive experience in wildlife, community, and farm animal photography, Manoj brings a compassionate lens to every frame. He has served as a photography mentor with Canon, guiding aspiring photographers in ethical and impactful storytelling. A storyteller at heart, He's also the author of a book based on his animal rescues. He runs a shelter that provides care to animals of all species. Through rescue missions and awareness campaigns, He has helped save thousands of community and farm animals and inspired empathy through visuals.

A Nigeria native, Adam Mufutau holds a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, working at the intersection of animal welfare and Precision Agriculture. He develops smart collar systems and virtual fencing solutions aimed at reducing the need for traditional tagging, cages, and physical fencing, promoting lower-stress and more humane livestock management practices. As a certified drone pilot, he applies aerial monitoring and remote sensing to support animal welfare assessment, herd observation, and environmental monitoring in livestock systems. He is passionate about animal biodiversity and committed to bridging traditional livestock farming in Africa with modern Precision Livestock Farming, supporting a practical, welfare-centered transition toward more ethical and sustainable production systems.

Andrew is our photography advisor from Malta, recently featured in the SuboArt magazine for their May 2025 issue. An aspiring artist mainly featuring macro, perspective and animals however appreciating any telling subject when wandering around with a camera in hand. VfAW is a cause that triggered his interest due to their relentless pursuit to fight for animal rights with education to support that. The organisation is filled with like minded individuals who think outside the box and work towards a common goal, which in the end, makes life that little bit more interesting.

Rabiu Hameedat holds a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science from Nigeria and works with the Voices for Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, applying her academic background to develop practical welfare education for farmers and aspiring agripreneurs. She is an agri‑vlogger and leadership fellow, using digital platforms to translate animal welfare concepts into actionable lessons. She has served in student governance and Rotaract, advocating for better farming practices and youth empowerment in agriculture. She was recognized as a Top 20 finalist at the FCMB‑FMO Agritech Hackathon 2025. She is passionate about improving animal welfare and sustainable farming practices in Nigeria.

Elsie is a Kenyan legal professional and Certified Professional Mediator (CPM) dedicated to advancing animal welfare through robust legislative implementation and strategic public advocacy. She focuses on bridging policy gaps and raising public awareness to foster a more compassionate, legally binding framework for animal protection in Kenya and in Africa at large.

Carmen is a wildlife veterinarian from Costa Rica with broad experience in conservation, education, and animal welfare. Her work integrates science, ethics, and compassion to promote responsible human–animal relationships. She is dedicated to advancing the wellbeing of animals across species through collaborative, evidence-based approaches.

Oluwatomiwa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and brings valuable hands-on experience in livestock production, with a strong focus on poultry management. Originally from Nigeria, he has developed expertise in flock performance optimization, practical animal husbandry, and farm operations. Passionate about advancing animal welfare standards and strengthening biosecurity systems, Oluwatomiwa is committed to supporting sustainable and efficient farming practices. He thrives in collaborative team environments and enjoys working alongside others to drive operational excellence and achieve shared goals.

Gwen is a Dutch legal counsel with a passion for wildlife, conservation and international cooperation. With a law degree and 30 years of experience, she has covered several legal areas in local government. Having travelled extensively throughout Africa in several roles, she has witnessed the challenges surrounding human-wildlife conflict, wildlife crime and the balance between conservation and local livelihoods firsthand. With this unique combination she hopes to support the development of effective policies and help strengthen the bridge between Africa and Europe in advancing animal welfare and wildlife protection.

Originally from San Francisco and based in Europe since 2013, Jennara has long used food as a form of activism; teaching people about plant-based cooking and sustainability as a way to inspire change. Over more than a decade, she worked in kitchens from Michelin-starred restaurants to innovative startups, and traveled across Europe cooking, sharing knowledge, and connecting with communities around food. Her passion for spreading ideas about sustainable living and her love of cross-cultural collaboration naturally led her toward the nonprofit world. At Voices for Animal Welfare, Jennara continues this path on a global scale, contributing her skills to a team united by empathy and a vision of wellbeing for both animals and people.

Valentina is a Senior Fundraising Manager with over 10 years of experience in the non-profit sector, specializing in fundraising strategy and donor engagement. She holds a degree in International Relations from the University of Belgrade. Valentina is fluent in Serbian, English, Italian, French, and Russian. She is deeply interested in animal law and its intersection with social justice.

Sasha Tishman is a writer, digital storyteller, and marketer focused on animal welfare, using her creative and strategic skills to help give animals a voice. She holds a degree in Writing with a minor in Business Management and Entrepreneurship, and speaks English, Spanish, and Italian, bringing a multicultural perspective to her communications work. Having collaborated with animal welfare organizations across Latin America, Europe, and the United States, she combines storytelling with advocacy to support compassionate causes.

Mark, our Web Manager, is a seasoned software engineer with extensive experience in web development. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and has contributed to innovative projects in startups and corporate environments. Mark works closely with Safi, focusing on developing our website into a more complex and advanced platform to better serve our mission and community.

Safi, our Web Manager, is an Electronics Technician with a deep passion for web development. He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering and Industrial Computing, along with a professional certification as a Web and Mobile Developer. As the creator of our website, Safi collaborates with Mark to ensure it remains a dynamic, user-friendly, and impactful platform that effectively supports our mission.

João is a Project Manager with several years of experience in the semiconductor business, leading cross-continental projects. Passionate about connecting people with versatile knowledge and skill sets and bringing them together to achieve the desired results. He now tries to bring all his experience and expertise into VfAW to help improve animal wellbeing around the world.

Flavio, our Photography Manager, is a skilled photographer with a deep passion for wildlife and landscapes. With years of experience, including work in a professional studio and as a photographer in Ibiza, Flavio brings exceptional expertise and creativity to our team.

Eager to contribute to the conservation of the biosphere through transdisciplinarity and strategic thinking, Esteban Rodríguez Macías is a Colombian nature enthusiast with a BSc in Biology (Colombia), and a MSc in Sustainability Transformation (France). Throughout previous experiences in the intergovernmental and corporate spheres, he has grasped the value of multistakeholder partnerships at the international, regional, national and local levels. He speaks Spanish, French and English, and deeply cares about the fostering of an empathy-based relationship between humans and animals.

Clara studied Foreign Languages ​​and Communication and is currently studying Literature, Culture, and Heritage. Her commitment to animal welfare stems from a lifelong passion. She joined the association a few months ago, initially as an intern, before becoming a volunteer. She holds the position of Social Media Manager. Her main role is to manage the association's online presence, which includes creating and posting content. Clara brings her creativity and dedication to this mission.

Lorenzo, our Graphic Designer, is a skilled UX/UI designer with over four years of experience in the design industry. With a background working with renowned clients and experience as a volunteer, Lorenzo is passionate about visual creativity and user experience. He brings expertise in graphic design and 3D art to enhance our organization’s visual identity and engagement.

Cecilia Bissoli is a Graphic Designer with over 15 years of experience in visual communication, branding, and digital design, having worked across the U.S., Latin America, and Europe. Alongside her professional career, Cecilia has consistently volunteered her design skills for mission-driven initiatives, including cultural festivals, animal shelters, community gardens, and beach clean-up projects. Passionate about environmental protection and animal welfare, she believes strongly in design as a tool for awareness, education, and positive change. At VfAW, Cecilia brings a strategic eye, strong visual sensibility, and a deep commitment to creating meaningful, accessible visuals that support advocacy and community impact.

Marina Marangi, one of our Content Creators, is a Master’s student in Communication and digital project management passionate about storytelling and animal welfare. With a background in Applied Foreign Languages and International Economics and experiences in France, Italy, and Madagascar, she brings a global perspective and creative approach to every project. At VfAW, Marina develops engaging digital content that raises awareness and inspires empathy. By combining creativity, research, and strategic communication, she helps connect audiences to the cause and encourages meaningful action.

Henry is an experienced data analyst with a background in economics, inventory management, and community development. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics (Policy and Planning) from Mzumbe University and is skilled in data tools such as STATA, SPSS, NVivo, and Microsoft Office. Henry has over 10 years of professional experience in analytical, managerial, and operational roles, with proven ability to transform data into actionable insights. Passionate about animal welfare and advocacy, he is dedicated to using data-driven approaches to support Voices for Animal Welfare in advancing its mission.

Nicole, our EU Project Coordinator, is passionate about building connections across cultures and turning ideas into meaningful international projects. Based in Strasbourg, France, she brings her knowledge in multilingual communication, international cooperation and project management to advance meaningful initiatives in animal welfare. She identifies new EU funding opportunities to empower communities, promote education, and support sustainable development across Africa and Europe.