The 2026 Lineup!

Founder & Director Rowdy Girl Sanctuary

Renee King-Sonnen is the Founder and Executive Director of Rowdy Girl Sanctuary and a powerful voice in the animal rights movement. Her journey began when she rescued her husband’s Texas cattle herd from slaughter, transforming their lives from ranchers to vegans and sparking international attention. Their story went viral on CBS News in 2016, propelling Rowdy Girl into the forefront of animal advocacy.

At Vibrant Vegan Fest, Renee will share her story of activism, faith, and spiritual transformation.

CEO Allied Scholars for Animal Protection

Dr. Faraz Harsini is a food system and biomedical scientist and the founder and CEO of Allied Scholars for Animal Protection (ASAP), the fastest growing nonprofit organizing veganism in universities. He holds a BSc in chemical engineering, an MSc in cancer research, a PhD in cell physiology and molecular biophysics, and is a Diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Today he focuses on building university infrastructure for animal advocacy, plant based nutrition, alternatives to animal testing, and a compassionate food system.

Gut Health Experts
Married to Health

Dahlia Marin, RDN, LD, CGN & James Marin, RD, EN are the co-founders of the integrative dietetics & nutrition practice Married to Health, the Good Gut LIVE Podcast & the first 100% plant-based SIBO/IBS nutrition program. As integrative gut healthdieticians, Dahlia & James’ goal is to spread knowledge about the importance of incorporating plant-foods to support a healthy gut microbiome & help those with gut issues get back to a thriving gut microbiome, so they can ‘Heal with Each Meal (TM)”.

Sustainability Expert, Climate Healers

Dr. Sailesh Rao is a systems engineer turned climate visionary who earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1986. After pioneering the digital signal processing protocol for 1000BASE-T—now foundational to modern internet infrastructure, he shifted his focus in 2006 to addressing the climate and ecological crisis. He is the founder and executive director of Climate Healers and executive producer of influential documentaries including Cowspiracy, What The Health, and Christspiracy, and he champions bold, systemic solutions to restore our planet.

Speaker & Comedian

Ace Anderson, known as the “Ace of All Trades,” is a multi-hyphenate creative blending comedy, film, music, and design to uplift and inspire. His acting credits include appearances on Law & Order, S.W.A.T., and Godfather of Harlem, and he has collaborated with major networks including Sony Pictures, NBC, Peacock, and CBS.

As co-founder of One Great Vegan and Spark Cities, Ace is passionate about inspiring others to eat more plants and awaken the divine spark within. As founder of The Striped Heart creative studio, he helps brands bring bold visions to life.

At Vibrant Vegan Fest, Ace brings humor, heart, and visionary storytelling to spark creativity, purpose, and collective awakening.

Veganic Farmers
Permaculture Experts

Desmond and Victoria are veganic farmers and permaculture practitioners in Austin, Texas, where they are building an off-grid food forest. Their work centers on veganic growing methods that build soil fertility without animal inputs, demonstrating that abundant, nutrient-dense food can be cultivated in true alignment with nature.

Through workshops and community education, they empower others to grow food ethically, restore ecosystems, and reconnect with the earth in a healing, life-affirming way.

At Vibrant Vegan Fest, they’ll share practical tools and inspiring insights for cultivating thriving, animal-free gardens and regenerative plant-based food systems.

Teen Vegan Activist

egan Evan is the world’s youngest Certified Vegan Lifestyle Coach & Educator, a graduate of Main Street Vegan Academy & a passionate voice for animals & the planet. As a youth ambassador for Solutionary Species & APlantBasedDiet.org, Evan has spoken at major events nationwide—including Central Florida Earth Day, VegFest Oahu, & the Animal Rights National Conference.
He’s been part of powerful campaigns with Million Dollar Vegan, advocating at COP26 & helping spark global conversations on plant-based solutions. Whether he’s rapping, leafleting, protesting, or rescuing animals, Evan brings unstoppable energy & heart to every cause. He’s on a mission to create a compassionate, sustainable world… & he’s just getting started!

Nutrition and Fitness Consultant
Living With Harmony

John Pierre is a nutrition and fitness consultant, famous as a personal trainer to celebrities, rock stars, and Fortune 500 CEOs.

With over 41 years of vegan living and 35+ years in nutrition and fitness, JP created one of the earliest brain‑building programs centered on plant‑based nutrition and holistic wellness. He has volunteered internationally with animal advocacy and women’s organizations, led health and fitness classes, and authored books including The Pillars of Health and Strong, Savvy, Safe.

At Vibrant Vegan Fest, JP will be leading fitness classes and share inspired strategies for living with greater compassion, balance, and connection to the planet

Vegan Author & Advocate

JoAnn Farb is a former microbiologist working in the pharmaceutical & animal health industries, who became a nationally recognized health educator, speaker & author. Known for her advocacy of vegan parenting & skepticism of industrialized medicine, she challenges corporate influence over public health.

JoAnn is the author of 2000 radical parenting primer: Compassionate Souls - Raising the Next Generation to Change the World and one of the first WFPB gluten-free cookbooks available in 2008, Get Off Gluten. Based in Kansas, JoAnn empower individuals & communities to make informed, healthy, compassionate choices.  You can see all her work at: JoAnnFarb.com

Vibrant Vegan Fest Founder

Sarina Farb is a holistic vegan educator, lifestyle coach, and TEDx Speaker working to make the world a better place for all beings.

Being born and raised vegan in Kansas taught Sarina to think for herself stand for justice even when it’s unpopular.

She is the founder and producer of Vibrant Vegan Fest, and focuses on building community and combining heart and science to empower people to live happy, healthy, and compassionate lives.

At the festival Sarina will share her thoughts on cultivating intentional community, effectively creating change & how to achieve a vibrant free, and sovereign world for all beings.

Vegan Activist

Shannon is a lifelong activist & Certified Vegan Lifestyle Coach & Educator who’s been speaking out for animals since age 9. After two decades as a vegetarian, watching Cowspiracy awakened her to the cruelty of the dairy & egg industries—prompting an overnight shift to veganism alongside her young son, VeganEvan.

Today, Shannon is the President of Solutionary Species, a co-organizer for Plant Based Treaty Florida & the Plant-Based Community Coordinator at Solid Rock Community School. Since 2017, she & her family have traveled nationwide & beyond to educate, advocate & inspire compassionate action. Her mission: fight for animal liberation & a better future for her son & all beings.

Raw & Living Foods Expert

Gigi Jones, known as Gigi The Vegan, is a wellness pioneer, plant-based chef, and founder of Midwest Soul Vegfest, the largest vegan health festival in the Midwest. After overcoming colon cancer in 2016 through a holistic, plant-based lifestyle, Gigi became an advocate for healing through food.

She’s the founder of Gigi’s Vegan + Wellness Café in Kansas City, a sanctuary offering organic, plant-based dishes and wellness programs. Gigi also leads the KC Health Initiative, educating underserved communities on plant-based living and sustainability.

Through her speaking, coaching, and wellness offerings, Gigi empowers others to rejuvenate their bodies, minds, and souls—one delicious bite at a time.

Iyengar Yoga Teacher

Alyssa is a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher & a Registered Yoga Teacher with over 500 hours of training. Her teaching style includes a focus on alignment for optimal physical wellness, a playfulness for trying new things & an emphasis on yoga philosophy. She's been vegan for 12 years, previously serving as a PCRM Food for Life Instructor.

Alyssa teaches classes at Yoga Center of Denver (Denver, CO) & Yogi Colorado (Aurora, CO). Alyssa serves as a board member of the Intermountain Iyengar Yoga Association (IMIYA). When she’s not teaching yoga, Alyssa enjoys spending time with her husband, homeschooling her kids, & love to snowboard, hike, camp, thrift & reading

Cacao Ceremony Leader
Yoga Teacher

era Galaxy is a collective healer, devoted to soul remembrance and heart-led living. As the founder of Considerate Collective, she alchemizes plant spirit, crystal healing, and energetic alignment into earth-honoring ritual tools.

She teaches yoga, guides cacao ceremonies, and offers intuitive sound healing with crystal bowls, voice, and vibration. Vera is also the host of Conscious Callings, a spiritual podcast exploring divine feminine wisdom, manifestation, plant medicine, and sacred living.

Her offering at Vibrant Vegan Fest is a Cosmic Cacao Ceremony—a sober, ceremonial space to connect, expand, and return to the heart through sound, intention, and soul presence.

.

Vegan Fitness Coach

Bryan Bell is a full-time vegan fitness & nutrition coach who helps vegans & plant-based eaters get in the best shape of their lives.

Specialized in functional bodyweight movements, he helps his vegan & plant-based clients build strength & muscle while getting fit & healthy!

Bryan also hosts co-ed vegan fitness & nutrition retreats with his wife, Jenny.

DJ & Movement Facilitator

Emmerson Jane is passionate about getting people out of their heads & into their bodies. She's a practicing chiropractor, Rolfer, and somatic practitioner, facilitating embodiment through The 360 Emergence. She loves mixing music with African Caribbean, & Latin influence, including, but not limited to UK dub, Afrohouse, deep ethereal bass, & jungle sounds.

Emerson's greatest joy is seeing people light up on the dance floor, either alone & with each other, or simply watching when the perfect song makes somebody move & the pure joy it brings to their face.

In her spare time, catch her traveling the world and connecting with various cultures, dancing, snowboarding, surfing, wakeboarding, hiking, and practicing yoga. She loves connecting over healthy food & nutrition, as well as studying/riffing about quantum physics & the nature of "reality."

Music Performer
Founder Animal Rights Choir (ARC)

When animal rights and music collided - Vegan Queen V was born.

Vegan Queen V brings messages of truth, peace, love and compassion using her music as a powerful communicator to empower the people of the world to make more compassionate and mindful choices particularly where animals are concerned. 

She has released two albums 'Freedom Warrior' and 'In Dog We Trust' which she performs regularly at shows and festivals around the UK and Europe. 

Vegan Queen V started the 'Animal Rights Choir' in 2025 bringing together passionate compassionate souls who share a love for animals and singing. The choir rehearses online and has already seen 12 performances in the first 6 months of it's creation. 

Connection Facilitator & Silent Disco Leader

Erin McIntosh (AKA WoopWoop) is passionate about authentic connection and helping people rediscover the joy of getting high on life without substances!

After nine years of sobriety, she left her career to launch WOOP Life, a sober party experience blending silent disco dancing with authentic relating games. Her events are designed to spark joy, deepen self-connection, and foster genuine community and belonging.

Vegan for over 15 years, Erin’s journey began with a life-changing realization about compassion for animals, inspiring her commitment to conscious, heart-centered living. Through her work, she creates spaces filled with love, laughter, and playful, expressive movement.

Musician & Song Circle Leader

Atreya is a "heal" (human, earth & animal liberation) activist, musician & lover of life with roots in Ohio & Florida.

In 2000, he moved to the fabulous pacific northwest where he dedicated his life to saving ancient forests, watersheds & endangered species habitats. In 2013, he moved to the beloved island of Kaua'i & became heavily involved in local musical groups, food security, GMO issues & the Hawaiian sovereignty movement!

He's been living on magical mama Maui since 2016 & continues to use his passion for music as a force of conscious change!

Festival Head Chef

Kenny has been vegan for 13 years, and for 11 years has been traveling the world, living out of a backpack. In that time he’s cooked for tens of thousands over an open flame at Rainbow Gatherings, for hundreds at dozens of festivals & conferences, and for small groups at retreats, movie shoots, weddings, and privately in their homes. His focus on food medicine, combined with experience cooking with & learning from people around the world, lends itself to a globally-infused flavor journey that leaves everyone feeling better after eating it.

When he's not in the kitchen, Kenny is an author, speaker, conscious music promoter, and spiritual activist. Kenny teaches Authentic Relating & NVC, works with individuals on diet & nutrition, and is a massive science fiction & fantasy geek, with a book specifically for geeks, on how to use their geekiness to live their best lives, publishing this year.