Women’s Equality Day – Meet the Women at Viva!

Happy Women’s Equality Day! We want to celebrate the amazing women that keep Viva! running today as a thank you for all their hard work.

Founder and Director

Juliet Gellatley

1. What is your job at Viva! and how long have you worked here?

I’m Viva!’s Founder and Director – so 27 years.

2. What is your favourite thing about working at Viva?

I love developing campaigns with an awesome team and being intimately involved with helping the nation become vegan. Ultimately, I want to save animals from a wretched existence and slaughter. I want to help heal and rewild the planet.

3. Why did you go vegan and how long have you been vegan?

Four pregnant heifers arrived in the field alongside my garden. One of them unexpectedly gave birth to twins. One little calf died and the other a perfect little bull calf amidst the long grass one sunny evening. The next day, the farmer arrived and scooped the calf into his arms and walked away with him, his mother following behind without any need of tethers, concerned for the welfare of her baby.

I found out that after just one day, he and his mother were separated as they always are – she to be milked, he to be sent for veal. Already vegetarian, I went vegan. That was 30 years ago.

4. If you could only eat one vegan meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

I’ll go for a mammoth salad of organic avocado, mango, chilli beetroot, toms, cucumber, rocket, mixed salad leaves, celery, walnuts, raspberries and pears with pasta and a glass of wine. Because the variety would help stop me getting bored and keep me healthy, and the wine – I’d need it if someone had control over me making me eat the same food every day!

Keeping The Engine Running

Jess Nunn

1. What is your job at Viva! and how long have you worked here?

I am Executive Assistant to the Director and have worked at Viva! officially for 1 year and 8 months, but volunteered for 9 months before that too.

2. What is your favourite thing about working at Viva?

Besides getting to try the incredible food made by our talented food and cookery manager, my other favourite thing about working for Viva! is being part of a team of incredibly skilled and driven individuals, who believe passionately in the work they’re doing to create a better, kinder, vegan world and save innocent lives.

3. Why did you go vegan and how long have you been vegan?

I went vegan aged 14 after learning about the horrors of the dairy and egg industries that I had no idea I was unwittingly funding whilst being vegetarian almost all of my life. That was in the year 2000 and I’m happy to say the world has become so much more accommodating to vegans since then!

4. If you could only eat one vegan meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Living life without chocolate would be pretty devastating. If dessert isn’t an option I’d have to go for sweet breakfast foods – muesli/granola with fresh fruit and soya yoghurt (I have an incurable sweet tooth!) 

Laura Turner

1. What is your job at Viva! and how long have you worked here?

I’m Viva!’s Office Manager and have worked here for nearly 16 years

 2. What is your favourite thing about working at Viva?

My favourite thing about working at Viva! is that it’s a cause I strongly believe in, and it’s great to see change happen and veganism become mainstream.

 3. Why did you go vegan and how long have you been vegan?

I went vegetarian at age 12 and went vegan after reading about Viva!’s Dark Side of Dairy campaign in 2005.

4.  If you could only eat one vegan meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

If I could only eat one vegan meal for the rest of my life it would definitely be pizza, with different toppings every day.

Renata Rzepecka

1. What is your job at Viva! and how long have you worked here?

I joined Viva! late 2020, after volunteering and temping with the charity for a few years. My current role at Viva! is Admin Officer. 

2. What is your favourite thing about working at Viva?

My favourite thing about working at Viva! is being surrounded by kind and like-minded people but mostly when Viva!’s Food & Cookery Manager Maryanne brings in delicious treats for us to try! Yum! 

3. Why did you go vegan and how long have you been vegan?

I first went veggie when I went to university and started being responsible and more mindful of what I was eating, then not too long after I went vegan.  

 4. If you could only eat one vegan meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

As well as sweet treats my absolute favourite vegan meal would have to be pierogi. It’s a dish that can be so versatile and it brings back memories of when I used to make it with my Grandpa back in Poland. 

Investigations and Campaigns

Lex Rigby

1. What is your job at Viva! and how long have you worked here?

My current role is Head of Investigations and I have worked at Viva! since 2018.

2. What is your favourite thing about working at Viva?

Getting to inspire positive change every day with a bunch of like-minded people.

3. Why did you go vegan and how long have you been vegan?

I went vegan 17 years ago to align my moral objection to animal suffering with my actions. 

4. If you could only eat one vegan meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

I love south-east Asian cuisine, so probably Penang curry or Pho or anything I can put tofu in.

Laura Hellwig

1. What is your job at Viva! and how long have you worked here?

I’m Viva!’s Campaigns Manager and I have worked here for four years now. 

2. What is your favourite thing about working at Viva?

I love working for something I believe in so strongly and am so passionate about. Ending the suffering of animals, environmental destruction and world hunger are so important to me. It’s amazing being able to work towards a better future for everyone every single day, all day long.

3. Why did you go vegan and how long have you been vegan?

I went vegan for the animals. When I was ten, I saw a truck with pigs bound for slaughter. That’s when I went veggie. I started my vegan journey ten years ago and completely went vegan six years ago.

4. If you could only eat one vegan meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

I think that would have to be the Vegan Recipe Club’s Gambian Stew. It’s hearty, healthy and super delicious.

Alice Short

1. What is your job at Viva! and how long have you worked here?

I’m a campaigner at Viva!. I work in the campaigns team organising street actions, exposing the horrors of the animal farming industry and showing how easy it is to go vegan. I first started working for Viva! as an Admin and Merchandise officer in July 2018 before my current role – so just over three years!

2. What is your favourite thing about working at Viva?

The people! It’s great to be surrounded by lovely vegans. I also love chatting to members of the public and having impactful conversations to help create a vegan world!

3. Why did you go vegan and how long have you been vegan?

I have been vegan for just over five years. I turned vegetarian at the age of ten but had no idea about the cruelty inside the egg and dairy industry until I moved out of my family home. My eyes were opened and I went vegan soon after with no looking back!

4. If you could only eat one vegan meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

This is tricky because I’m such a foodie but it would have to be sushi! I love it. There are so many amazing vegetable/meat-alternative combos that I could never get bored. Plus it’s so fun to make!

Communications

Faye Lewis

1. What is your job at Viva! and how long have you worked here?

I’m Head of Communications.

2. What is your favourite thing about working at Viva?

The team is super helpful, friendly, competent and passionate.

3. Why did you go vegan and how long have you been vegan?

I gave up meat pretty much 100% from the age of ten in 1995, then over the years cut more and more from my diet. I went fully vegan age 25, then lapsed briefly to vegetarianism then went fully vegan age 29 or 30.  

4. If you could only eat one vegan meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

It would probably be a curry of some description. It used to be saag aloo, but the range and variety mean you can get any meat replacement now. Since moving to Bristol I have had at least four ‘chicken’ curries as well as the usual aubergine or mushroom dahl, or tofu korma.

Siobhan Dolan

1. What is your job at Viva! and how long have you worked here?

I’m the PR Manager and I’ve worked here for four years.

2. What is your favourite thing about working at Viva?

I work with our investigations team to publicise our undercover investigations in the media. This part of my job is the most satisfying as I know we are reaching non-vegan audiences and hopefully encouraging more people to go vegan! Also working with a bunch of vegans is just the best.

3. Why did you go vegan and how long have you been vegan?

I was veggie from 12 but as I got older I understood more about dairy and egg production. I’ve been vegan for ten years now.

 4. If you could only eat one vegan meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

I’d have to choose mushroom and tofu pho because it is so tasty and healthy but also feels a little naughty because of the fried tofu.  

Louisa Kendal

1. What is your job at Viva! and how long have you worked here?

I am the Digital Communications Officer at Viva! I started as the Social Media Coordinator in March 2019.

2. What is your favourite thing about working at Viva?

Every day I can help make the world a better place through my work.

3. Why did you go vegan and how long have you been vegan?

I went vegan in 2016 for a combination of environmental and ethical reasons. Once I found out what happens on UK farms I could no longer justify eating animal products so went vegan.

4. If you could only eat one vegan meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

A huge vegan cooked breakfast with sausages, bacon, hash browns, tofu scramble, garlicky fried kale, mushrooms and tomatoes. You could never get bored with so many flavour combos to enjoy!

Dani Lawton

1. What is your job at Viva! and how long have you worked here?

I’m now the Communications Assistant and I started as the Merchandise, Events and Sales Coordinator two and a half years ago.

2. What is your favourite thing about working at Viva?

I love Viva!’s mission towards ending animal cruelty and I’m very proud to be promoting a vegan lifestyle. I also love being surrounded by like-minded colleagues, and having a completely vegan office – especially when someone kindly brings in some vegan cake to share!

3. Why did you go vegan and how long have you been vegan?

I became vegan five years ago after watching Earthlings and Cowspiracy documentaries. I was veggie before but immediately went vegan after seeing the shocking footage and learning about the effect of meat and dairy on the planet.

 4. If you could only eat one vegan meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Definitely pho! Anything with noodles and tofu. I love the variety of aromatic herbs and spices!

Helen Wilson

1. What is your job at Viva! and how long have you worked here?

I’m Viva!’s Podcast Host and Producer, freelance writer and recipe developer. I worked at Viva! from 2008-2012, as Assistant Editor, then Editor of Viva! Life magazine, Press Officer and Food and Cookery Manager.

2. What is your favourite thing about working at Viva?

My favourite thing is working with people who love and care about animals and their wellbeing as much as I do! I learned everything I know about being vegan from being surrounded by the amazing team!

3. Why did you go vegan and how long have you been vegan?

I have been vegan for 13 years, after meeting Juliet. I had been a vegetarian for 18 years when I went for a job interview at Viva!. Juliet showed me the Dairy Cows leaflet and asked me why I wasn’t vegan. I couldn’t answer, and from that point on, I never looked back.  

 4. If you could only eat one vegan meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

A full vegan breakfast, including scrambled tofu (my absolute favourite), sausages, mushrooms, hash browns, beans, tempeh rashers and sourdough toast – and brown sauce. This meal just ticks all the boxes, doesn’t it?

Viva! Shop

Emily Coster

1. What is your job at Viva! and how long have you worked here?

I am the Retail Manager at Viva! and have been for just over one year.

2. What is your favourite thing about working at Viva?

My favourite thing about working at Viva! is being around like-minded people and having a job that helps people become vegan.

3. Why did you go vegan and how long have you been vegan?

I went vegan after watching Cowspiracy and looking more into the environmental impact of meat production. I have been vegan for nearly three years.

4.  If you could only eat one vegan meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

I think it would have to be a Thai green curry with puff tofu!

Charlotte Heath

1. What is your job at Viva! and how long have you worked here?

My job role is Sales, Merchandise, and Events Coordinator. I have been working here for 7 weeks now!

2. What is your favourite thing about working at Viva?

My favourite thing about working for Viva! is knowing that I am working for a company with the same ethics and morals that I have. It’s great being surrounded by people that have the same love for animals that you do!

 3. Why did you go vegan and how long have you been vegan?

I went vegan around three years ago after being vegetarian since the age of 9. I saw a video on social media of a calf being taken away from its mother and realized how hidden the truths of the dairy industry had been.

4.  If you could only eat one vegan meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Lentil dahl, I never get tired of them and you can adapt them with different veggies every time!

Viva! Health

Justine Butler

1. What is your job at Viva! and how long have you worked here?

I joined Viva! in 2005 after completing my PhD at Bristol University. My first role was working as a Health Campaigner and I’m now the Senior Researcher and Writer. 

2. What is your favourite thing about working at Viva?

I love how everyone at Viva! is united by the desire to see a vegan world with no more animal suffering. I think this makes us a pretty formidable force! Oh, and the fact that the office kitchen is 100% vegan is a bonus and then there’s the online shop and all the vegan goodies we sell!!

 3. Why did you go vegan and how long have you been vegan?

It was seeing images of vivisection that made me think about animal suffering in the first place when I was a teenager and I stopped eating meat then. I have been vegan for 16 years. 

4.  If you could only eat one vegan meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

A mixed leaf salad with beetroot, avocado, smoked tofu and toasted pumpkin seeds with a baked potato. 

Vegan Recipe Club

Maryanne

Freelancers

Tayana Simons

1. What is your job at Viva! and how long have you worked here?

I am currently freelancing for Viva! as a Writer and Web Editor. I have worked for Viva! since April 2019, previously working as a Campaigner.

2. What is your favourite thing about working at Viva?

You get to spend your time working hard to make the world a better place for animals. And the people too! Working with people who care as much as you do about animals is incredibly motivational and inspiring. 

3. Why did you go vegan and how long have you been vegan?

I have been vegan for four years now. I stumbled across a YouTube video about the dairy industry and then fell down a YouTube rabbit hole, finding out all about the egg industry, as well as other horrific practices farmed animals endure. After that, I just couldn’t justify buying animal products anymore, I went vegan the following day and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. 

 4. If you could only eat one vegan meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

A huge roast dinner – mushroom wellington, crispy roasties, vegan cauliflower cheese, tonnes of greens, covered in gravy with a big old dollop of mustard, yum!