Engage with knowledgeable speakers, presenting topics of health, compassion, and environmental regeneration.
| Speakers | Topics | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Kaufman of Fatman Rants | How to Get Started and Stay in the Game | 12:00 pm |
| Crystal Heath, DVM, of OurHonor.org | Bridging the Divide Between Activists and Veterinarians | 1:00 pm |
| Christina Cherian, MD, dipABLM | The Power of Plants: How Whole Foods Can Heal | 2:00 pm |
| Jacinda Shapiro, RN, BSN, CDCES, DipACLM | Where Do You Get Your Protein? The Plant-Based Truth | 3:00 pm |
| Shannon Blair, Heather Wilson, and JC and Kami Conklin | Compassion in Action: The Movement for Animal Liberation | 4:00 pm |
| Jacinda Shapiro | Speaker Coordinator |
Tim Kaufman
How to Get Started and Stay in the Game
Join Tim Kaufman as he recounts his journey from battling addiction and chronic disease, alongside obesity, to becoming a thriving plant-based athlete, losing over 200 pounds. He will inspire and show you the transformative possibilities of a whole-food, plant-exclusive lifestyle. He will also share key tips to get started and stay in the game.
Crystal Heath, DVM, of OurHonor.org
Bridging the Divide between Activists and Veterinarians
Dr. Crystal Heath is a renowned shelter veterinarian recognized as one of Vox’s 2023 Future Perfect 50 for her contributions to ethical animal care and advocacy. As the Executive Director of Our Honor, a nonprofit supporting veterinary professionals in promoting ethical practices, she plays a pivotal role in advancing humane treatment of all species. Dr. Heath also serves on the board of LEAP (Leaders for Ethics Animals and the Planet), an organization dedicated to fostering humane leadership among youth. Additionally, she is a founding member of Veterinarians Against Ventilation Shutdown. Her work and perspectives have been featured in numerous prominent publications, including the New York Times, Vox, The Guardian, and the Los Angeles Times, and she has shared her expertise on various media platforms. Dr. Heath’s opinion pieces have appeared in reputable outlets like the British Veterinary Journal and the Los Angeles Times.
Christina Cherian, MD, dipABLM
The Power of Plants: How Whole Foods Can Heal
Dr. Christina Cherian is a double board-certified Family Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine physician turned health coach with a passion for helping people reverse disease through plant-based nutrition. She is the founder of Lotus Lifestyle Medicine, a fully virtual coaching practice that empowers women to become the best versions of themselves through plant based nutrition and mindfulness. She also hosts the podcast Bloom into Health, where she motivates and inspires individuals on their own plant-based journeys.
In addition to her medical background, Dr. Cherian holds a certification in yoga teacher training and is a long-time practitioner of mindfulness and meditation. Her vision is a world where no one suffers with a preventable, reversible disease. She will share the power of a whole food plant based diet to treat, and even reverse, chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Jacinda Shapiro, RN, BSN, CDCES, DipACLM
Where Do You Get Your Protein? The Plant-Based Truth
Jacinda Shapiro is the owner and operator of EmpowerMe Diabetes Health and a certified insulin pump trainer. She is a Registered Nurse (RN), Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), and a Diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (DipACLM). Jacinda is on a mission to change the narrative around diabetes care by empowering individuals to take control of their health from the comfort of their homes.
In addition to running EmpowerMe Diabetes Health, Jacinda works part-time as a Diabetes Health Coach for Mastering Diabetes. Her experience in both roles is grounded in a philosophy of addressing the root cause of diabetes rather than merely treating its symptoms. She believes that health transformation begins at home, not just in the doctor’s office. Her mission is to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills they need to take ownership of their health. By identifying patterns within their bodies, Jacinda helps her clients achieve both mental and physical well-being, optimizing their overall health.
Heather Wilson
Compassion in Action: The Movement for Animal Liberation
Heather is a health care professional of over 30 years, a patient advocate optimizing pain management without the use of opiates, became vegan in 2009, and has been protesting ever since! Heather’s focus is on animals in so-called entertainment (namely horse racing and rodeos). She’s a current board member of Animal Protection and Rescue League aprl.org
JC and Kami Conklin
Compassion in Action: The Movement for Animal Liberation
JC and Kami Conklin are a creative husband-and-wife team whose work bridges film, art, and conscious living.
JC is a seasoned filmmaker with over 17 years in the film and television industry, credited on AMC’s The Walking Dead and as director of features starring acclaimed talent such as Dean Cain (Superman) and Kevin Sorbo (Hercules). After years in the mainstream industry, he stepped away to pursue a deeper calling—storytelling rooted in compassion, healing, and hope.
Kami, a former registered nurse, discovered her own path of healing through art and plant-based living. She now leads the art department on their creative projects, blending her eye for design with her passion for conscious expression. Together, JC and Kami channel their shared vision into films and media that inspire empathy, sustainability, and spiritual connection.
As vegan parents and land stewards of their fourth-generation homestead in Mount Dora, Florida, they are building a food forest while raising their children to embrace authenticity, kindness, and intentional living. Their home life and creative life are deeply intertwined, guided by the mission to honor the earth, protect vulnerable beings (including their beloved animals), and use storytelling as a bridge to awaken compassion.
Currently, the Conklins are developing new projects that amplify this ethos—where every frame is a vessel for healing, and every story opens the door to a more kind and loving humanity.
Shannon Blair
Compassion in Action: The Movement for Animal Liberation
Shannon Blair is president of the nonprofit Solutionary Species, and one of the co-founders of Animal Activism Mentorship, a free program for anyone wanting to learn how to better advocate for animals. Shannon is the East Coast Campaign Manager for Million Dollar Vegan, Director of Parenting & Activism for APlantBasedDiet.org, and is also a Certified Vegan Lifestyle Coach & Educator!