NARN
Board of Directors

Rachel

Rachel Bjork

Where did you grow up?

Seattle! I am a rare Seattle native. I am lucky to have grown up on Capitol Hill in the heart of Seattle. I am grateful that my parents sent me to schools with a diverse student population, and that I learned to enjoy and learn from people that are different from me.

Why vegan?

I become vegan in 2000. I had previously been a slow convert to vegetarianism because I thought it was healthier. After coming back home from attending college out of state, I started going to EarthSave potlucks in Seattle and watched a few videos about what happens to dairy cows and layer hens. I learned that not only were eggs and dairy unhealthy, but what happened to animals raised or food was just horrible. I just knew I couldn’t be a part of something so awful. Simply not contributing to such injustice seemed like the least I could do.

Why animal rights activism & why NARN?

Since I was in High School, I knew that I wanted my life to matter and to me, that meant working on making the world a better place. I wanted to do what I could to change the world for the better.  I am not happy sitting back and allowing injustice to happen. I love being involved with NARN because we believe in community, inclusion, that animal activism is a social justice movement and that a variety of tactics are necessary in order to achieve Animal Liberation. I love being a part of a wonderful community that is always striving to do better.

What inspires you? 

Other activists! Not the superstars of the movement, but the everyday “average” folks that spend their free time fighting for the animals.

Mike Hines, Board Member

Mike Hines

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Frankfort, Kentucky, spending summers at my grandfather’s farm in south central Kentucky. I went to college in Murray, Kentucky and then moved throughout the US over the years, living in North Carolina, Colorado, Washington and California. I’ve been in Seattle since 2008, but lived in Malta for a short stint in 2012.

Why vegan?

There are so many reasons. I grew up an omnivore. I always loved animals, but had the same cognitive dissonance that abounds in our society. Around 2002 I decided I couldn’t support the torturous nature of industrial animal farms and switched to being a ‘free range’ vegetarian. Two years later I learned that a number of the companies claiming they were raising animals free range were doing horrible things. I also came to the conclusion around the same time that the consumption and use of animals was entirely about convenience and pleasure. I could no longer ethically justify any choice other than veganism.

Since then, I’ve come to understand many more reasons for being vegan, including general ecological impact, human costs in animal agriculture, antibiotic resistant bacteria and general impact of ignoring animal welfare on our society’s mentality.

Why animal rights activism & why NARN?

I’ve done a lot of volunteering and organizing in other areas over the years, primarily focused on race & social justice equity work. I’ve volunteered with NARN several times, but it hasn’t been my key focus. I appreciate NARN’s intersectional and inclusive approach to animal rights activism, and I believe as a society we desperately need both veganism and compassion that isn’t drawn across arbitrary lines.

What inspires you? 

I am inspired by the lengths to which so many passionate volunteers, activists and organizers have gone throughout history to make change where they saw injustice or need. I am inspired by the beauty, complexity and diversity of nature and believe that we have a responsibility to protect it and preserve it for all sentient beings.

Daphne Toglia, Board Member

Daphne Toglia

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Miami, Florida — a vibrant, multicultural city where Spanish is often spoken more than English.

Why vegan?

I’ve always loved animals, even as a child. I remember feeling uncomfortable with the idea of eating animals as early as six years old. In high school, I became a vegetarian because I couldn’t justify contributing to something that caused harm to beings I cared about. Then, during the pandemic, when everything slowed down, I had more time to reflect, read, and learn about where our food comes from. I realized that veganism isn’t just about diet. Veganism is about aligning my everyday choices with my values of compassion, justice, and nonviolence. The more I learned about factory farming, environmental destruction, and the immense suffering involved in animal agriculture, the clearer it became that going vegan was the most ethical decision for the animals, for my health, and for the planet.

Why animal rights activism & why NARN?

I believe deeply in the inherent value of all living beings and see animal rights as a vital part of creating a more compassionate and just world. My commitment to animal rights activism comes from the understanding that protecting animals not only prevents suffering but also strengthens the bond between humans, animals, and the environment. By advocating for ethical treatment and responsible stewardship, I strive to ensure that animals have a voice and that future generations inherit a more humane and sustainable world. I chose to join NARN because it is a nonprofit organization that aligns closely with my values—building community, fighting for justice, and recognizing the intersectionality between animal rights and other social causes.

What inspires you? 

I am inspired every day by the beauty of the mountains, the courage of fellow animal rights activists, and the broader activist community that continues to push for meaningful change.

Suzanna Litwin, Board Member

Suzanna Litwin

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in the San Francisco bay area. My parents met at UC Berkeley, my brother was born there and I was born in San Francisco. My parents were active in anti-war protests and my mother was “Another Mother for Peace”, a group that was founded in 1967 and sought to eliminate war. They both were educators. Later we moved to the San Jose area; my mom told stories of riding a bike through the orange orchards. I still remember the now “silicon valley” as being lush and green. I attended Humboldt State University and then moved to Seattle in the late ’90s.

Why vegan?

Before I went away to college, I became vegetarian. It was a rebellious act at the time, but it paved the way for me to learn about our food, where it comes from and how the animals are treated. Giving up meat was easy for me because I was an animal lover. It wasn’t until much later that I realized how cows were suffering for my cheese, so I gave that up too. The more I learned about the food system, the more I realized that the most compassionate, healthiest, and environmentally friendliest diet is a plant based one. Fortunately, my husband has found the same path.

Why animal rights activism & why NARN?

I really like how Jane Goodall put it “speaking out on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves is our responsibility as fellow inhabitants of this shared earth.” All creatures on the earth, in the sea, and in the skies deserve to be treated with respect. This is a core value of NARN. I am inspired by the work and the passion I see in NARN and I’m excited about working with NARN to create a world devoid of suffering.

What inspires you? 

I am inspired by my fellow activists who continue to get out there, working to bring about social change. I am inspired that the earth and all the creatures continue to show resilience in the face of the destruction that humans inflict. I am hopeful that change will happen for the betterment of all life.

 

Vinith Sudhir, Board Member

Vinith Sudhir

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in a valley alongside western ghats of Southern India in a town called Chikkamagaluru. I have lived in many other towns and cities in the state of Karnataka, India before moving to the USA.

Why vegan?

My journey towards veganism stems from a deep-seated desire to minimize needless animal suffering. It is sad that there are so many systems in place that allow animals to be exploited. Choosing a vegan lifestyle happens to be one of the ways to minimize animal suffering.

Why animal rights activism & why NARN?

My commitment to animal rights activism, particularly with NARN (Northwest Animal Rights Network), is driven by a profound conviction that injustice towards any sentient being must cease. Animals are voiceless, unable to advocate for themselves, and I feel a strong responsibility to help present their case to those willing to listen. I am most interested in learning what works and adopting it rather than pursuing what I would like to work.
NARN’s influential presence in the Pacific Northwest, its strong connections with allied organizations and lawmakers, and its impactful campaigns significantly improves animal welfare—make it an ideal platform for me to contribute my passion.

What inspires you? 

What truly inspires me is the belief that systemic and individual actions are both crucial to creating a more just and livable world for all beings. I recognize that many people don’t have the opportunity to actively work towards this goal. Therefore, I am dedicated to using my influence to empower others and make it easier for everyone to contribute to minimizing animal suffering.

 

Sonia Hitchcock, Board Member

Sonia Hitchcock

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Chico, California. Spending my childhood amongst orchards, and just a short drive from a (former) Farm Sanctuary location, catalyzed my interest in sustainable agriculture from a young age. I am thrilled to now call the Pacific Northwest home, and I am passionate about advocating for equitable progress to protect the people and places I care deeply about.

Why vegan?

As a lifelong animal lover, the choice to embrace a vegan diet came naturally. However, as my understanding of our food system developed, I was repeatedly assured that maintaining a plant-based and cruelty-free lifestyle aligned with a multitude of my personal values. I am committed to supporting systemic changes toward a sustainable and equitable food system that ensures affordable, nutritious, and culturally-significant food is accessible to all, and I feel privileged to simultaneously have access to a vegan diet.

Why animal rights activism & why NARN?

The systems that legalize and perpetuate animal cruelty are the same as those wreaking havoc on water, air, land, and communities across the planet. Animal rights activism is not only imperative to defending non-human animals who are unable to speak for themselves, but is also an essential outlet for opposing all forms of suffering. The multifaceted approach of NARN’s work does just that, and I feel honored to work alongside an experienced, informed, and passionate team developing a kinder world.

What inspires you? 

I am inspired by the volunteers and activists I have the honor of working with, representatives like Georgie Purcell and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and many youth leaders in the animal rights and climate movements. My rescue animals inspire me to be kinder every day, and the communities I am surrounded by inspire me to continue pushing for protections and progress.

 

Carlos Gutierrez, Board Member

Carlos Gutierrez

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in São Paulo, Brazil. My father was from a Spanish family, and my mom was Native American. São Paulo is one of the biggest cities in the world—dangerous, chaotic, but fascinating. When I was a teenager, I became a heavy metal fan, started going to rock clubs and concerts, and discovered a whole new side of the city. I lived there my whole life before moving to France for my PhD studies.

Why vegan?

When I saw a documentary about animal exploitation, I couldn’t sleep. It was the most horrific thing I had ever seen. Then I discovered the book Animal Liberation by Peter Singer, and I decided to become a vegetarian. A few months later, I was completely vegan. My individual choices were not enough, so I realized that I had to fight with all my strength to help animals and to end the injustice and torture. This is when I became an animal rights advocate and decided to dedicate my life to ending factory farming. Animals are people and victims of oppression—they are voiceless innocents ignored by humankind. Becoming vegan was the most important decision I’ve made in my life, and I strongly believe this ethical pathway can lead humankind to an era of peace, freedom, and equality among humans, animals, and nature.

Why animal rights activism & why NARN?

Being ethical is choosing to be the voice of the voiceless. NARN is a fantastic organization with an incredible team committed to fighting for animal rights. NARN embraces difference and has an environment of friendship and respect that I have never seen before. It is a pleasure to be part of a team so devoted to changing the situation for animals, where all members are valued equally and can contribute to a world without animal oppression. I truly believe that NARN’s campaigns are highly effective in promoting social change, and we carry them out with all our passion.

What inspires you? 

I can’t rest while there are sentient beings suffering from pain, depression, fear, and anxiety. My actions as an individual can motivate people to change, to perceive animals as people, and to provoke a huge social shift in the way we classify animals—not as objects, but as beings with moral rights. I want to be part of this change, and I am quite sure that maybe in 100 or 200 years, students will read about us and the good fight we fought to change the world and make it a better place, without oppression.

 

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