Meet The Team
Operation Angels is guided by an extraordinary team of people who are deeply committed to farmed animal sanctuaries and to the lives of the animals they protect. Our team brings together a rare combination of lived sanctuary experience, strategic skill, governance expertise, creative talent, and practical care. Each person is here not for recognition, but because they believe that sanctuaries matter, that animals deserve lifelong care, and that strong, well-supported organizations are essential to lasting change. We are humbled by the depth of knowledge, integrity, and care that this team brings to the work every day.
Operational Team
Dr. Krista Hiddema is a seasoned leader in the animal advocacy movement, bringing decades of expertise in ethics, governance, philanthropy, and strategic planning. After a successful career in the for-profit sector, she transitioned to full-time animal advocacy, serving as Vice President of Mercy for Animals in Canada and later as Chief Philanthropy Officer at Vegan Grants. Krista was a founding board member and six-year board president of Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary, where she witnessed first-hand the transformative power—and the challenges—of sanctuary work. She holds a doctorate in organizational leadership and is the creator of SPAA (Strategic Planning for Animal Activism), a program that equips advocacy organizations worldwide with tools for measurable impact. At Operation Angels, Krista provides overall vision, strategic direction, and movement leadership, with a deep commitment to restoring the credibility and influence of the sanctuary movement.
Lauri Torgerson-White is a respected animal welfare scientist with extensive experience in sanctuary operations, research, grant-making, and policy. She served as the Senior Director of Research and Sanctuary Animal Welfare at Farm Sanctuary, where she developed and implemented welfare assessment programs and training for sanctuary staff. She also served as a philanthropy officer, assisting with grant-making at Vegan Grants, before joining New York University’s All Animals Initiative as a research scientist. Lauri’s expertise spans behavioral health, environmental enrichment, and ethical care for farmed animals, with a focus on agency-based welfare approaches that respect animals as individuals. At Operation Angels, Lauri co-leads grant decision-making, evaluates sanctuary care practices, and co-develops the SPAA for Sanctuaries program, ensuring animal well-being remains at the heart of every sanctuary we support.
Kyle Behrend is an operations, technology, and AI specialist with a strong track record in nonprofit systems development. As former Operations Director at Edgar’s Mission in Australia, Kyle streamlined workflows, implemented digital tools for animal care management, and enhanced donor engagement systems. He is the creator of the AI Impact Hub, a resource designed to help sanctuaries and advocacy organizations leverage artificial intelligence for efficiency, communication, and impact. His expertise includes website design, CRM management, automation, AI integration, and digital infrastructure for sanctuary operations. At Operation Angels, Kyle oversees all technical and operational systems, from websites to grant management platforms, and co-teaches SPAA for Sanctuaries. His work ensures that sanctuaries have the tools, processes, and technologies they need to operate efficiently and sustainably.
Sierra Bessey is an experienced sanctuary professional with a strong background in farmed animal care, welfare assessment, and program coordination. She spent a decade at Farm Sanctuary, where she worked directly with rescued animals, oversaw animal care teams, supported sanctuary operations, and contributed to welfare evaluation processes. Sierra brings a deep understanding of the day-to-day realities of sanctuary work, as well as the importance of aligning care practices with a sanctuary’s mission and values. At Operation Angels, Sierra focuses on evaluating animal care during the grant application process, collaborating closely with Krista and Lauri to ensure that funded sanctuaries meet OA’s Criteria for Impactful Sanctuaries.
Board of Directors
Audrey Lawson-Sanchez is an award-winning educator, nonprofit leader, and public health advocate with over 15 years of experience in mission-driven organizations. She is the founder and executive director of Balanced, a nutrition security and public health advocacy organization that advances healthier food environments through grassroots advocacy, institutional partnerships, and policy change.
Before launching Balanced, Audrey built her career in K–12 education in Kansas City and New Orleans, where she served as a teacher and coach for both teachers and school leaders. Her work in education, paired with firsthand experience of the connection between nutrition, learning, and long-term health, inspired her to focus her career on nutrition policy and advocacy.
In addition to founding Balanced, Audrey has led sector-wide initiatives that combine public awareness campaigns, practical implementation support, and systems-level change to address nutrition insecurity and reduce diet-related disease. At Operation Angels, she brings her expertise in public health advocacy, systems change, and coalition building to strengthen OA’s strategies and expand its impact.
Britta is a former lawyer turned mental-health professional focused on bringing meaningful compassion and empathy to the way we support people through grief, especially where it intersects with the human-animal bond. She began her over 15-year career as a corporate lawyer in private practice and later served for three years as general counsel at a Canadian plant-based food company. At Operation Angels, Britta draws on her legal acumen, strategic insight, and deep empathy to help guide governance and ensure our work remains both impactful and grounded in compassion.
Nigel Osborne
Board Treasurer
Nigel Osborne is a dedicated advocate for farmed animals and the founder of two influential platforms: Egg-Truth and Dairy-Truth. Through these projects, he has exposed the hidden realities of the egg and dairy industries, offering accessible, evidence-based information to inspire compassionate choices. Before devoting himself to animal advocacy, Nigel built a successful career as a General Manager in the outdoor advertising industry, where he gained extensive experience in finance, operations, and organizational leadership. At Operation Angels, Nigel serves as Treasurer, combining his professional expertise in management with his passion for animal rights to ensure strong financial stewardship and transparent governance.
Advisory Board
Steve Jenkins
Sanctuary Ambassador & Fundraising Advisor
Steve Jenkins is a storyteller, sanctuary founder, and global advocate for compassion whose life changed in 2012 when he adopted Esther, a “micro-pig” who grew into a 600-pound ambassador for farmed animals. Steve co-founded Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary in Ontario, creating a haven for Esther and other rescued animals. Under Steve’s leadership, Esther’s story became a worldwide phenomenon, building a global community of millions and inspiring three New York Times best-selling books. With a background in real estate and a natural ability to engage audiences, Steve brings unmatched authenticity and connection to Operation Angels’ fundraising efforts. As fundraising lead, he will mobilize Esther’s vast, dedicated supporter base to help sanctuaries worldwide thrive in honor of her enduring legacy.
Rachel McCrystal is the Executive Director of Woodstock Farm Sanctuary, one of the most respected and influential farmed animal sanctuaries in the United States. Her leadership blends deep compassion for individual animals with a clear-eyed commitment to organizational excellence, movement impact, and long-term sustainability.
At Woodstock, Rachel has strengthened programs across animal care, community engagement, and advocacy while advancing the sanctuary’s role as a powerful voice for justice. She has been a leading figure in professionalizing sanctuary operations, building strong internal systems, and centering transparency, financial stability, and measurable impact.
Rachel is known throughout the sanctuary sector for her thoughtful guidance, collaborative spirit, and dedication to elevating sanctuaries as essential contributors to cultural and institutional change for animals. As an Advisor to Operation Angels, she brings extensive experience in strategic leadership, operational oversight, metrics development, and sector-wide movement building.
Jane Land is a globally recognized leader in vegan advocacy and philanthropy. She is the co-founder of Veganuary, the international campaign that has inspired millions of people in over 200 countries to try vegan each January and beyond. With a background in education as a former English teacher, Jane transitioned to full-time activism after learning about the realities of factory farming. She currently leads Veg Trust, a UK-based philanthropic organization that funds innovative vegan and animal advocacy initiatives worldwide. Known for her strategic vision and warm leadership style, Jane brings a wealth of experience in movement building, fundraising, and global campaign development to Operation Angels.
Federico Callegari is a Creative Director and activist whose work bridges global design excellence with deep social purpose. Based in Argentina, he built his career in international advertising agencies, including La Comunidad (Miami and Buenos Aires), Young & Rubicam (New York City), and David & Goliath (Los Angeles), collaborating with major brands such as MTV, Rolling Stone Magazine, Universal Studios, and Citibank. In 2010, his shift toward veganism and environmentalism led him to co-found Voicot and launch DifusionV — a global network amplifying the animal and Earth liberation movement. As founder of Guma, a creative studio specializing in vegan brands and NGOs, Federico has partnered with movements including Veganuary, Surge Activism, Plant Based Treaty, Animal Save Movement Guma, and Christspiracy. As Operation Angels’ Brand & Creative Advisor, Federico and his team are in charge of the development of Operation Angels’ branding and visual identity, ensuring every element reflects our compassion, professionalism, and unwavering hope for farmed animals.
