Meet the Team Behind VegNews

Passionate about publishing and media, Colleen Holland is the co-founder of VegNews. Since its launch in 2000, she has grown the vegan lifestyle brand into an award-winning, international media company complete with a flagship magazine, digital properties, events, and global vacations.

A graduate of UCLA and the Natural Gourmet Institute, Colleen is one of just six people worldwide to have been elected into both the Vegetarian Hall of Fame and the Animal Rights Hall of Fame. In early 2018, she was named one of the country’s top women in media. A 24-year ethical vegan, Colleen is a die-hard yogi and the founder of the Healthy Vegan lifestyle brand.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A steaming bowl of laksa soup, a Malaysian specialty with rice noodles, tofu, and vegetables in a fragrant coconut broth.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend?

People love my Thai yellow curry with fresh vegetables, tofu, and cilantro.

With passions for plant-based living, storytelling, photography, editing, and design, Richie has found his perfect fit managing VegNews Magazine. A full-blown lover of food media (Epicurious’ 4 Levels videos are his favorite), you can usually spot this Southern California native at vegan restaurants and pop-ups standing on chairs and borrowing other people’s drinks to compose the perfect Instagram shot. 

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Roasted Brussels sprouts and mac and cheese. On top of poutine.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend?

Beyond Meat tostadas with cabbage and cashew sour cream.

Emily has always had a passion for magazines ever since she was a young girl. She grew up visiting the office of her uncle’s magazine, the Utne Reader, and later interned there. She has over a decade of experience working at an alternative-weekly publication in Minneapolis called City Pages. She believes shopping second-hand and eating plant-based are integral in helping the planet, animals, and future generations. She is new to the VegNews team and eager to create beautiful layouts and designs. In her free time, Emily enjoys trying out new vegan dishes, photography, hiking, vintage shopping, playing music, and walking her rescue dog, Nyxie. 

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A creamy Thai coconut curry with lots of vegetables and fresh mango for dessert. 

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend?

I would probably take them out to a fancy vegan restaurant and let a pro dazzle them! 

Co-founding a travel media brand in 2009 to pursue a career in writing, Anna joined the VegNews team in 2015 eager to produce quality content in line with her passion for the vegan lifestyle. She now scouts the vegan world for newsworthy stories and loves discovering new cruelty-free products. A graduate of UCSD, Anna is fascinated by food, travel, and world culture. She has lived in Ukraine, Los Angeles, Spain, Brooklyn, and San Francisco and loves to scout new vegan places everywhere she goes.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Spring rolls stuffed with fresh vegetables, shiitake mushrooms, cilantro, and mint with a spicy peanut sauce.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend?

Smoked carrot-wrapped tofu over a roasted garlic cauliflower purée.

A graduate of UC Santa Cruz, Sarah earned her Bachelor degree in modern literature. While at UCSC, Sarah was an active member of the campus vegan animal-rights club and a copy editor for the campus newspaper. Her passion for animal rights, veganism, and sustainable living led her to the editorial position at Fresh Healthy Media. In her free time, Sarah enjoys hiking, baking vegan treats, reading, and playing with her cat, Eloise.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Thai green curry with tofu, fresh vegetables, and a spicy coconut curry sauce.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend?

Eggplant lasagna with tofu ricotta and a cashew cheese sauce!

After graduating from college in Colorado, Aruka’s curious nature and compassion for all living beings led her to VegNews. With a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Media Communications and a minor in Philosophy, Aruka is passionate about pondering the universe, writing, and using her skills to better the world. In her free time, she enjoys exploring coffee shops, traveling, and watching practically everything on Netflix.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Japanese curry filled with vegetables.  

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend?

VegNews Best Ever Mac and Cheese (trust me, I’ve even had non-veg friends ask for the recipe). 

After going vegan in her teens, Jill immersed herself in the natural food industry, working with some of the biggest brands including Clif Bar, Yogi Tea, Tofurky, and Sambazon. A storyteller at heart, Jill began covering the intersection of food, culture, and sustainability, all while learning the intricacies of digital content strategies in the early 2000s. From 2017–2020, she was Head of Content for LIVEKINDLY. Before joining the VegNews team, Jill was a longtime reader and fan since it first launched, and is also the co-founder of sustainable luxury platform, Ethos.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I love Mediterranean food. It’s all so fresh and light: hummus, olives, tabouli (I love parsley!), fresh bread, lots of veggie and bean dishes. What’s better than that? 

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend?
I don’t want to brag or anything, but I’ve been told my vegan BLTs are out of this world.

Jasmin’s background in media, writing, and social justice has finally culminated in her dream role as the Senior Editor for VegNews. She is the author of the memoir Always Too Much and Never Enough, was named a “40 Under 40” by The Advocate, and is the co-host of the weekly, Webby-recognized Our Hen House podcast. Jasmin has presented book talks, workshops, and keynotes at venues around the globe, and debuted her Tedx talk, “Compassion Unlocks Identity,” last year. Though she officially came on board with VegNews in 2016, Jasmin first approached Publisher Colleen Holland for a job more than ten years prior, proving that she is the most relentless person ever.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A macro plate with tahini-dill dressing.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend?

If I wanted to dazzle them, I wouldn’t cook. I’m very good at ordering in!

Eddie Garza is a vegan chef, media personality, and author of ¡Salud! Vegan Mexican Cookbook and The 30-Day Vegan Meal Plan for Beginners. Eddie and his work have been featured by a wide variety of media outlets in the United States and abroad, including CNN, The Washington Post, People, Telemundo, and many more. Eddie is a sought-after speaker, culinary coach, and thought leader on issues related to plant-based health and nutrition. He has lectured and presented at top universities, culinary schools, and major conferences in the US and Latin America, including South by Southwest in Austin, Expo en Verde Ser in Mexico City, and the Nexus Summit in Washington, DC.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Central American Gallo Pinto (red beans and rice) with a side of fried plantains, cabbage slaw, and avocado wedges. It’s the perfect year-round meal!

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend?

My vegan version of the Colombian Bandeja Paisa, a meaty dish featuring smoky chorizo, tofu chicharrones, lentil-seitan ground “beef,” JUST Egg, toasted arepa, red beans and rice, and an avocado.

With 20 years’ experience in magazine publishing, Nicole brings her passion for creating engaging content and an endless fascination with the latest cruelty-free products and initiatives. A vegan of two decades, she is co-author of DIY Vegan—a cookbook that teaches you how to make your own vegan staples from scratch—and host of the award-winning food blog, A Dash of Compassion. Nicole also dabbles in food photography and shoots for vegan cookbooks on a contract basis. Find Nicole on Twitter and Instagram at @adashofvegan.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A gigantic kale Caesar salad with garlic croutons, hemp parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes, alongside an even bigger serving of crispy sweet potato fries. 

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend?
Something familiar and comforting: vegan cutlets (made from wheat gluten for a meaty texture), along with mashed potatoes, mushroom gravy, and green beans.

Tanya attended Emerson College as a Theater and Political Communications double major with the goal of directing the next great Broadway musical—or becoming President if that dream failed. After a few years in politics and writing for VegNews on the side, she made a hard pivot and dove into a career in vegan media. She officially joined the VegNews team in 2019 and has loved every minute of it. When not writing, she enjoys running, bouncing on her trampoline, and traversing Southern California for the best vegan eats.  

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Sweet potatoes. Yes, that’s a meal. 

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend?
Veggie sweet potato pot pie with my boozy bourbon chocolate layer cake.

A UCLA alumna, Jocelyn graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English literature. Interested in pursuing her love of writing, Jocelyn found her passion for media while working on her campus’s Latinx newsmagazine. After graduating, she realized that compassionate, plant-based living is the key to a better, brighter future. Her passion for media and plant-based wellness led her to VegNews. Today, she enjoys reading, yoga, meditation, spending time in nature, and trying new jackfruit recipes.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A side of rice and Salvadoran salpicon made with jackfruit. I would never go hungry. 

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend?
Fried, jackfruit taquitos topped with salad and a dollop of vegan sour cream.

Residing in the ultra-hip vegan capital of the US, Portland, OR, Laurie is a 24-year vegetarian and 14-year vegan. Before joining the VegNews team in 2005, Laurie was the Northwest Director of In Defense of Animals and a loan officer in the escrow industry. She considers VegNews a great way to softly educate the masses on a more gentle, healthy lifestyle. Laurie’s passions include hiking with her dogs and traveling the globe trying every great (veggie) restaurant she stumbles upon.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Tacos filled with rice, black beans, avocado, salsa, lettuce, and onions.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend?
Tacos! I might also include tortilla chips, guacamole, and margeritas.

An eight-year vegan, Carol has a long history of working in print media, and is the founder of The Write Cause, a letter-writing service for animal and environmental rights. When she’s not playing with her cats—Pierre, Domino, and Rita—she’s practicing Kundalini yoga and working on her fourth animal rights-themed novel.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Steamed potatoes, broccoli, and cauliflower sprinkled with extra virgin olive oil, Spike, and garlic powder.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend?
The vegan creme brûlée from the VegNews Recipe Club. It’s absolutely amazing!

Laurie’s life-long love of all things creative and crafty led her to the Rhode Island School of Design where she graduated with a BFA in photography. She has been working in the stationery industry for more than 20 years and is the co-founder and current owner of Two Trick Pony, supplying greetings and gifts to ethically and environmentally minded folks. She happily joined the VegNews team in 2016 as the Artwork Manager.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Fresh mangos, lots and lots of them.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend?
I would serve them my vegan baked mac ‘n’ cheese. Absolutely everyone loves it, vegan or not!

Lyndsay began her career with VegNews as Office Manager, and then took on the role as Recipe Tester. As a recent transplant to North Carolina, she is excited to take on the role as Reader Ambassador. Lyndsay also keeps busy working as an accountant during the day, and a bartender on nights and weekends at a local ale house. In the little free time that she has, she likes to hang out with her family, and her cat, Noonie, take scenic hikes, and work on jigsaw puzzles.

If you could eat one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A Banh Mi sandwich, filled with savory tofu, vegan mayo, cilantro, pickled carrots and daikon, and jalapeno.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend?
Probably a Mexican-inspired casserole, because who doesn’t like casseroles?

With a background working for Silicon Valley internet, media, and design companies, Nick’s interest in animals, food sustainability, and health brought him to Fresh Healthy Media. A UC Berkeley graduate with an MBA from the University of San Diego, Nick has traveled around the world—including a two-year stint in Japan.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The baked falafel shawarma made deluxe from Herbivore Restaurant.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend?
My baked tofu and raw kale salad has pleasantly surprised many of my non-veg friends and family.