Champions

Philosopher, Provocateur, Philanthropist

Australian-born Peter Singer has spent decades challenging our moral compass as one of the world's most influential and controversial philosophers. His groundbreaking work "Animal Liberation" ignited the modern animal rights movement, while "Famine, Affluence, and Morality" laid the foundation for effective altruism.

From the halls of Princeton to the streets of Melbourne, Singer's utilitarian ethics have sparked both admiration and outrage. His views on hot-button issues like abortion, euthanasia, and global poverty have led to protests, but also to real-world change. Singer doesn't just preach - he practices what he philosophizes, founding organizations like Animals Australia and The Life You Can Save.

Recognition for his impact includes the prestigious Berggruen Prize and the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award. True to form, Singer donated his entire Berggruen winnings, proving that for this philosopher, ethics isn't just academic - it's a way of life.

Bear Liberator, Animal Welfare Pioneer, Compassion Innovator

Jill Robinson MBE, a British animal welfare activist, has dedicated her life to protecting animals in Asia. Born in England, her passion for animal welfare led her to Hong Kong in the mid-1980s, where she worked for the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

In 1993, Robinson's visit to a Chinese bear bile farm became a turning point. Witnessing the plight of approximately 10,000 Asiatic black bears in horrific conditions, she embarked on a mission to end this practice. For seven years, she researched and negotiated with the Chinese government, resulting in a groundbreaking agreement in 2000 to release 500 bears from the worst farms.

This success led to the founding of Animals Asia Foundation, establishing bear rescue centres in China and Vietnam. Robinson's work expanded to include converting bile farms into sanctuaries and negotiating with Vietnamese officials to end bear bile farming by 2020.

Beyond bears, Robinson initiated the Doctor Dog program, training rescued strays for animal-assisted therapy. Her efforts have earned her numerous accolades, including an MBE in 1998, a Genesis Award in 2002, and the Reader's Digest Hero for Today Award in 2005.

Farm Sanctuary Pioneer, Animal Equality Advocate, Kindness Ambassador

Pam Ahern, founder and director of Edgar's Mission in Australia, transformed a chance encounter with a pig named Edgar into a lifelong mission to champion farmed animal rights. Her journey from rescuing cats and dogs to establishing a sanctuary for 437 rescued farm animals highlights the often-overlooked disparity in animal protection laws.

At Edgar's Mission, Ahern doesn't just provide care; she ignites change through education, advocacy, and community programs. Her work brings to light the stark contrast between society's treatment of companion animals and farmed animals, challenging people to extend their circle of compassion.

Pam's impact is perhaps best exemplified as the proud Australian Ambassador for the annual Be Kind to Animals Week with stories like that of Baarack the sheep, which showcase the power of kindness in transforming animal lives. Through storytelling and direct action, Ahern continues to bridge the empathy gap between humans and farmed animals, proving that compassion knows no species boundaries.

Vegan Politician, Tech Influencer, Eco-Warrior

Clifton Roberts has been vegan since his birthday Sept 24 1997. He’s a Humane Party volunteer, 2016 U.S. presidential candidate, 2018 candidate for U.S. Senate, and 2020 U.S. presidential candidate. Clifton is passionate about protecting representatives of nature, human health, and environmental resources.

As global policy director for the world’s largest semiconductor producer (Intel) he influences governments to establish policy conducive to evolution of cloud technology. He’s committed to inserting vegan advocacy into politics, and he can walk on his hands.

Politician, Psychologist, Animal Defender

Emma Hurst is a multifaceted Australian powerhouse who seamlessly blends politics, psychology, and activism. As a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council for the Animal Justice Party, she's not your typical politician. Hurst's passion for animal welfare runs deep, having worked for PETA and Animal Liberation before entering politics.

Her advocacy has led to significant victories, from shutting down wild goat racing events to chairing inquiries on battery cages for hens. But Hurst's talents don't stop at the legislative chamber.

This registered psychologist and Monash University graduate continues to push boundaries, running half marathons, competing as a vegan bodybuilder, and championing transparency in animal agriculture. Emma Hurst proves that with determination, you can be a voice for the voiceless in more ways than one."

Other wins:
Over the last five years, she has secured over $60 million in Government funding for animal protection, mandated the ‘right to release’ for animals used in experimentation, prohibited forced swim and smoking experiments, outlawed convenience killing in pounds, banned the use of dolphins and whales for entertainment, increased penalties for animal cruelty and much more.

Animal Rights Legislator, Youth Advocate, Sanctuary Keeper

Georgie Purcell, elected in 2022 as the Animal Justice Party member for Northern Victoria's Legislative Council, embodies a new generation of political activism. At just 26, she transitioned from Chief of Staff to elected official, driven by a decade of animal welfare advocacy and armed with a law degree.

Purcell's legislative agenda is ambitious and focused: banning duck shooting, investigating greyhound racing, supporting wildlife rescuers, ending commercial kangaroo slaughter, and improving veterinary care accessibility. Her work extends beyond the parliament to her Macedon Ranges home, a sanctuary for rescued animals including sheep, horses, and ex-puppy farm dogs.

As a young woman in politics, Purcell is equally committed to increasing diverse representation in government. Her journey from grassroots campaigns to the halls of power demonstrates the impact of passionate advocacy and the changing face of Australian politics.

Animal rights activist, founder of GAIA, moral philosopher, influential campaigner

Michel is a prominent Flemish animal rights activist and moral philosopher. He founded GAIA (Global Action in the Interest of Animals) in 1992, which has become Belgium's most influential animal welfare organization with over 80,000 members. Vandenbosch studied moral sciences at the University of Groningen, graduating in 1989 with a dissertation on chimpanzee welfare.

His activism began in 1985, protesting the gifting of chimpanzees to King Baudouin. He co-founded the anti-fur association Bond Zonder Bont and the eco-philosophical think tank Gaia in 1988. As GAIA's chairman and policy director, Vandenbosch has campaigned against various forms of animal exploitation, including slaughterhouses, horse races, factory farming, animal testing, and the fur trade.

Vandenbosch serves on animal welfare advisory councils in Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels, and is a founding board member of the World Federation for Animals. His efforts have contributed to significant legislative changes and court rulings improving animal welfare in Belgium. GAIA is also a long-time member of Eurogroup for Animals, a Brussels-based umbrella organization for leading animal welfare societies in Europe.

In 2000, Vandenbosch was named Man of the Year by Humo magazine readers, highlighting his impact on public awareness of animal rights issues.

Animal Rights Activist, LAV Manager for the Animal Free Fashion Area

Born in Milan in 1975, he has been in LAV since 2000, initially as an activist at the local team in Milan, then since 2006 holding various technical positions (responsible for institutional relations in the Lombardy Region, Regional Coordinator of local offices, Campaign Coordinator) and political positions (member of the National Board of Directors).

Since 2010, he has managed LAV's activities regarding the exploitation of animals in the clothing sector for furs, skins, feathers, yarns, holding the role of head of the ‘Animal Free Fashion’ Unit.

Among the successes of LAV in this sector led by Simone, the national ban on fur farming (effective from 2022) and many "animal"-free corporate policies adopted by well-known Italian fashion brands.

Since 2019, thanks to the collaboration with Kangaroos Alive, he has brought the international campaign #SalvaCanguri to Italy to ban the import and trade in Italy (and in the European Union) of skins and meat resulting from commercial hunting of kangaroos; major Italian luxury and sports companies have discontinued kangaroo leather production following the LAV campaign.

CEO of Animals Australia, Board member of the World Federation for Animals, 2024 Victorian Senior Australian of the Year

Glenys Oogjes has been a leading advocate for animal welfare in Australia for over forty years. Growing up on a Victorian dairy farm, she developed a deep connection to animals that later inspired her life's work. After earning a degree in Behavioural Science, Glenys turned her focus to animal protection, becoming a key figure in driving positive change for animals nationwide.

Since joining Animals Australia in 1983 as its sole employee, Glenys has helped grow the organization into the country’s most effective animal advocacy group. She has played a pivotal role in several landmark achievements, including the development of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy and the recent push to phase out battery cages for egg-laying hens. Her work has also included contributing to numerous reviews of animal welfare laws and representing animal interests on key government and industry committees.

In 2024, Glenys was named the Victorian Senior Australian of the Year, making her the first animal advocate to be chosen as a state representative for this prestigious award. Her influence extends globally as a board member of the World Federation for Animals, where she collaborates with international leaders to promote a kinder, more compassionate world.

Author, Co-founder of Voiceless, Animal Advocate

Ondine Sherman is the Co-founder and Managing Director of Voiceless, the animal protection institute. 

She is the author of Vegan Living: A simple guide to a cruelty-free, healthy plant-based life (2020) and YA fiction, the Animal Allies Series, with Pantera Press: Sky (new edition, 2019), Snow (2019) and Star (2021).  Ondine’s memoir, The Miracle of Love was published in 2013 with Murdoch Books and recounts her journey with her identical twin boys with severe disabilities (MCT8 disorder).

Ondine is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Sydney, in the fields of sociology and Critical Animal Studies. She is Editor of Animail, the magazine of the Australasian Animal Studies Association (AASA).  Ondine is a Director of Thrive Philanthropy. 

Ondine holds a BA in Communications and an MA in Environmental Studies from Macquarie University.

A life-long animal advocate, Ondine is passionate about promoting respect and compassion for all creatures.

Growing up in Sydney, Ondine now lives near Tel Aviv with her husband and three children. Her mischievous street cats, loyal dogs and rescue chickens and rabbits all keep her extraordinarily entertained.

Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer.Animal Welfare Institute

Susan was appointed chief executive officer of AWI in January 2023, having served in various roles at the organization since 2003, including director of the Marine Animal Program and Executive Director.

Animals have been a big part of Susan’s life since her childhood in England—first in rural Cheshire and then along the southwest coast—with rescued cats, hamsters, rabbits, goldfish, and a dog. After obtaining a BSc in environmental health and an MBA from the University of Wales,  Susan worked for the US Navy to oversee environmental compliance with EU regulations at its UK bases.

 In addition to being AWI’s executive director and CEO, Susan serves on the boards of Monitor Caribbean, which works closely with AWI to preserve the biodiversity of the Wider Caribbean region, and the Species Survival Network, which works to strengthen wildlife protections established through CITES.

Actor, Vegan Advocate, Storyteller

Martin Dingle Wall, born in 1971 in Sydney, Australia, has seamlessly transitioned from graphic designer at Walt Disney's Animation Studios to a versatile actor with over 45 roles. His breakthrough came with "Home & Away," earning him a Logie Award nomination, and he's since become a familiar face in Australian television and international films.

Martin's career highlights include starring alongside Nicole Kidman in "Strangerland" and winning Best Actor for "Happy Hunting." His versatility shines through his ability to learn Russian for "All That Jam" and his lead role in the U.S. series "Cypher."

Beyond acting, Wall is a committed vegan and has taken his advocacy to the screen. He's featured in Season 2 of "Eating Plants," a plant-based TV series, using his platform to promote sustainable and compassionate living.

From Bondi Beach to Hollywood, Martin's journey embodies the fusion of artistic talent and ethical living. As he continues to captivate audiences on screen, he simultaneously champions a plant-based lifestyle, proving that one can excel in their craft while advocating for positive change.

Founder of Unchained TV, four time Genesis Award winner, Author, Producer

Jane Velez-Mitchell is the founder and editor of UnchainedTV, a free streaming network focused on promoting the plant-based lifestyle. UnchainedTV offers documentaries, cooking shows, lifestyle programs, talk shows, and music videos aimed at benefiting animals, people, and the planet.

Jane is a four-time Genesis Award recipient from the Humane Society of the United States for her animal rights reporting and has been recognized by organizations like Mercy for Animals, PETA, and VegNews. She hosted a show on CNN Headline News for six years, where she frequently highlighted animal issues, and she also worked as a news anchor at KCAL-TV in Los Angeles and WCBS-TV in New York, winning both Los Angeles and New York Emmy awards.

Jane has authored four books, including the New York Times bestsellers Exposed: The Secret Life of Jodi Arias and iWant: My Journey from Addiction and Overconsumption to a Simpler Honest Life. She also produced and directed several documentaries, such as Countdown to Year Zero, and co-produced the award-winning vegan cooking series New Day New Chef. Jane lives in Los Angeles with her two companion animals.

Film maker, Producer, Humanitarian

Shaun Monson founded the production company NATIONEARTH in 1999, initially creating public service announcements on animal welfare, which later evolved into the documentary Earthlings (2005). Narrated by Joaquin Phoenix and featuring music by Moby, Earthlings is a study of humanity's exploitation of animals for economic purposes and is considered a seminal work on animal welfare, available in over 40 languages.

In 2008, Shaun began work on UNITY, a follow-up film narrated by 100 celebrities, including Geoffrey Rush, which took seven years to complete. UNITY aims to explore the interconnectedness of all life, focusing on ecological, spiritual, political, and humane themes.

In 2018, Shaun co-produced the documentary Dominion, which was the result of five years of undercover work in Australia and was narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Kat Von D, Sia, and Sadie Sink. In 2019, he directed Guardians of Life, a PSA for Extinction Rebellion and Amazon Watch, featuring Joaquin Phoenix, Rosario Dawson, and others. This project was released just before Joaquin won Best Actor for Joker at the 2020 Oscars. The next day, Shaun filmed the documentary Liberty, which chronicled Joaquin's rescue of a mother cow and her calf from a slaughterhouse.

In 2020, Shaun directed There Was a Killing, which investigates the death of a protester killed by a livestock truck in Canada. He also documented Joaquin Phoenix's visit to Farm Sanctuary for Indigo, a short film that revisited the animals Joaquin had rescued a year earlier. Shaun has even more projects slated for production.

Animal Rights Activist, Animal Rescuer, Hollywood Celebrity Photographer, Animal Rescue Sanctuary Owner, Musician

Christopher Ameruoso is a passionate and dedicated animal rights activist and rescuer who has made significant contributions to animal rights and protection. He owns an animal rescue sanctuary and has been running the popular column "Stars and Their Pets" for over 17 years. His commitment to the cause has earned him several accolades, including the President's Call to Service Award and the Last Chance for Animals Albert Schweitzer Award.

Since 1998, Ameruoso has also built a successful career as a celebrity photographer. His work has appeared on over 60 magazine covers and in major publications like People magazine and The New York Times. Ameruoso has published three best-selling photography books, with his project "Shades of Elvis" becoming a number one bestseller in 2014.

Music has been a constant thread in Ameruoso's life. After a hiatus to focus on photography, he returned to music in 2014, exploring the unique sound of the Cigar Box Guitar. His original compositions, which he describes as "Swamp Rock Music," blend dirty blues with raw emotion, showcasing his diverse artistic talents across multiple fields.

Animals Australia, Animal rescuer, Wildlife carer

Louise Bonomi has worked in the international animal protection space for over a decade and is the Director of Development at Animals Australia.

Her work in the aftermath of the Black Summer bushfires led to her appointment within State Government as a Wildlife Welfare Liaison. She manages a global disaster relief program for those around the world seeking to protect animals in times of crisis, and is passionate about supporting those who dedicate their lives to helping animals in some of the most difficult circumstances.

She has been a licensed wildlife carer in NSW and VIC since 2009 - rescuing, raising, rehabilitating and releasing countless native animals to give them a second chance at a wild life.

Vegan DJ, Animal Advocate, Eco-Influencer

Dara Kristen Hayes, known as DJ Tigerlily, blends her successful DJ career with passionate animal rights advocacy. From chart-topping singles to performances at Tomorrowland, she's used her musical platform to champion veganism and environmental causes.

Partnering with PETA and Animal Liberation, Tigerlily goes beyond words, actively volunteering at animal sanctuaries and fundraising for charities. As a brand ambassador and podcast host, she promotes sustainable, cruelty-free practices to a wide audience.

Tigerlily embodies the powerful fusion of artistic influence and ethical commitment, proving that one can create music while creating change for animals and the planet.