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 previously held jobs such as Starbucks barista, an intern for an LGBTQ magazine seemingly dedicated only to white men, and a reluctant market transcriber of iPhone voice commands made by Australians, Richie found his perfect fit at VegNews in 2015. Now, he lives his best life writing copy, editing photos, brainstorming how to make veganism more inclusive, and eating croutons.

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.

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!

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.

Joni Marie Newman is a long-time vegan for the animals who has written and co-written more than ten vegan cookbooks. She keeps pretty busy (when she isn’t scouring the interwebs for the next great food feature for VegNews!) working most days on a family-owned, thirty-acre farm, teaching vegan cooking classes, volunteering and organizing vegan events, and raising awareness about veganism with a pro-intersectional approach through various outreach activities. Joni has a love of all foods and flavors and is constantly in awe and inspired by amazing chefs and their foods from all cultures.

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

Thick and creamy, extra noochy, vegan mac and cheese.

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

A perfectly grilled Beyond Burger patty melt on cracked wheat sourdough with Follow Your Heart Provolone and a thick layer of roasted garlic aioli.

Growing up without a television, Aurelia d’Andrea relied on library books and stacks of old National Geographic magazines for entertainment. The latter fueled her imagination and inspired an insatiable lust for travel. Since going vegan in 2000, she has eaten her way through India, Morocco, Israel, and dozens of other countries, relishing the food and the nonstop adventure. In 2010, she traded life in San Francisco for a Right Bank apartment in Paris, where she lives with her husband and their beloved mutt, Fanny.

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

A crunchy corn tortilla topped with rice, beans, lettuce, fresh guacamole, and homemade chipotle salsa.

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

A cool rice-noodle salad with vegetables.

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 assistant 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!

As a graduate of Colorado State University, 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 writing and pondering the universe. In her free time, Aruka enjoys exploring coffee shops, watching Game of Thrones, and going on adventures.

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

Bowl of Soul from Sage. 

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

Something from Whole Foods and pass it off as a home-cooked meal.

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.

Residing in the ultra-hip vegan capital of the US, Portland, OR, Laurie is a 20-year vegetarian and 10-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.