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MEET THE TEAM
AfA Team
AfA is composed by dedicated staff members, based all around the world! Click on each photo to learn more.
Sarah Grant - CEO AfA Coalition
At nine years old, Sarah first learned about Animals Asia and their mission to end the cruel bear bile trade in Asia. With a bottomless empathy pool for all animals, Sarah began supporting the charity not knowing that a few decades later she would be working for the very same cause helping not just bears but on various campaigns across Asia. Animals Asia allowed Sarah to put her empathy to use and put her diverse skill set in play. Over the years, Sarah has spent her time coordinating everything from musicians to festivals to fundraising events to animal rescue programmes and TNVR and has undertaken training in yoga and compassion fatigue/burnout. She has consulted for the World Federation for Animals, setting up their membership department, and since 2018 has dedicated her time to building the Asia for Animals Coalition. Sarah has grown the coalition from a team of one, to a large team of dedicated individuals addressing some of the most crucial animal protection issues and ensuring AfA is a central and welcoming arena for all NGOs across Asia to come to for support. Sarah is proudly vegan and acknowledges her privilege in being able to work towards a world of animal liberation. Sarah firmly believes in the power of collaboration, of uniting the movement and meeting people ‘where they are at’.
Brooke Aldrich - Deputy CEO and Lead Coordinator - Macaque Coalition
Brooke is the Deputy CEO of the Asia for Animals Coalition, and Lead Coordinator of the Asia for Animals’ Macaque Coalition. She has studied, worked with, and worked on behalf of primates for many years. She is also a member of the IUCN SSC PSG Section for Human-Primate Interactions, and has served as Director and Trustee for UK-based charity Neotropical Primate Conservation since its founding in 2007.
Brooke is particularly interested in how human perceptions and exploitation of nonhuman primates affect primate welfare and conservation, and in the intersection between welfare and conservation. A list of her publications can be found at https://linktr.ee/brooke.aldrich.
Brooke is particularly interested in how human perceptions and exploitation of nonhuman primates affect primate welfare and conservation, and in the intersection between welfare and conservation. A list of her publications can be found at https://linktr.ee/brooke.aldrich.
Lauren Arnaud James - Lead Coordinator AfA Coalition
Lauren’s passion for animal protection started at a young age and she has since dedicated her personal and professional life towards a kinder world for animals. During her first masters, Lauren investigated how ethical solutions can be developed to accommodate wildlife conservation in Thailand and the needs of local communities. This was followed by years of campaigning for ethical elephant tourism in Thailand, supporting small sanctuaries in the country, fundraising and raising awareness around the cruel practices within the elephant tourism industry. Lauren embarked on a second masters in primatology at Oxford Brookes University, which led her to work in rescue centers in India and the UK.
Lauren joined the AfA Coalition in April 2022, starting with a split-role in the Social Media Animal Cruelty Coalition (SMACC) and AfA. In July 2023, Lauren became the Lead Coordinator of AfA, which she is now occupying full time.
Lauren strives for a world where our daily choices and decisions do not cause harm, on humans, animals and the environment. Lauren strongly believes that together, we can improve the lives of animals, and that no action is too small to make a difference.
Lauren joined the AfA Coalition in April 2022, starting with a split-role in the Social Media Animal Cruelty Coalition (SMACC) and AfA. In July 2023, Lauren became the Lead Coordinator of AfA, which she is now occupying full time.
Lauren strives for a world where our daily choices and decisions do not cause harm, on humans, animals and the environment. Lauren strongly believes that together, we can improve the lives of animals, and that no action is too small to make a difference.
Alcila Abby - Events Coordinator AfA Coalition
In 2013, Alcila initiated her journey in conservation by launching the beach clean-up movement in her hometown of Kuching, Malaysia. This effort led to the establishment of the Kuching Beach Cleaners association, marking a pioneering achievement in Sarawak. Alcila's dedication to biodiversity conservation prompted her involvement in initiatives such as the ASEAN Youth Biodiversity Leaders 2020 Academy and Youth Internships in ASEAN Heritage Parks, both integral parts of the ASEAN Youth Biodiversity Programme under the ASEAN Centre of Biodiversity. Furthermore, she holds the distinction of being an alumna of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI).
With eight years of experience in managing business events, Alcila has a special interest in curating events that provide a strategic and comprehensive approach. She firmly believes that events play a vital role in propelling the movement forward by inspiring individuals, fostering innovative ideas, and bringing together diverse communities.
With eight years of experience in managing business events, Alcila has a special interest in curating events that provide a strategic and comprehensive approach. She firmly believes that events play a vital role in propelling the movement forward by inspiring individuals, fostering innovative ideas, and bringing together diverse communities.
Thanh Nguyen - Lead Coordinator Farm Animal Coalition
As an advocate for animals and for collaboration, Thanh firmly believes that creating a compassionate world requires collective effort. That’s why, in any roles that he has undertaken, he has been actively seeking opportunities to work with individuals, organizations, and communities, aiming to build bridges and find common ground. He understands that true progress is achieved not through division but through unity, empathy, and understanding. By fostering collaboration and encouraging open dialogue, he strives to create spaces where diverse perspectives can contribute to the most effective solutions.
Vinnie Le - Coordinator Farm Animal Coalition
Vinnie is the dedicated AfA Farm Animal Coalition Coordinator, entrusted with the crucial responsibility of nurturing and advancing the collaborative efforts of the coalition. With a focus on building a unified movement for the welfare of farmed animals across Asia, Vinnie's role is multifaceted. From actively supporting the operation and growth of the coalition's working group, collaborating closely with other AfA Coordinators, addressing requests from within the AfA network and membership; to organizing collaborative events such as Asia Farm Animal Day and regional events, fostering an environment of shared knowledge and impactful networking, she is your go-to person, alongside Thanh who is the Lead Coordinator, at AfA Farm Animal Coalition.
Pavitra Krishnan - Coordinator Capacity in Animal Protection Coalition
Pavitra was six when she first visited a small dairy farm with her father. She witnessed how the calf was taken away from his mother for the farmer to collect the milk. In retrospect, it would go on to become Pavitra’s first encounter with the ‘spirit’ of veganism, making her realize that her compassion for animals needed to go beyond the love she had for her dog. Fast forward to her twenties, after completing her Masters in Economics, she decided to work full-time in the animal welfare space and joined the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO) as a Coordinator in Government Advocacy. This is when she saw first-hand the cruelty meted out to farmed animals, and decided to turn vegan overnight.
Pavitra currently works as a Coordinator in the Capacity in Animal Protection Coalition (CAPC) at the Asia for Animals Coalition to support farm animal welfare organizations in Asia to overcome their capacity needs. She has previously worked with organizations like 50by40 where she helped build their Global Majority Programme and expand the network to more countries, particularly in the Global Majority. She is a firm believer in the power of collaboration and making full use of the intersectionality of different movements to push forth the cause for animal rights.
Pavitra currently works as a Coordinator in the Capacity in Animal Protection Coalition (CAPC) at the Asia for Animals Coalition to support farm animal welfare organizations in Asia to overcome their capacity needs. She has previously worked with organizations like 50by40 where she helped build their Global Majority Programme and expand the network to more countries, particularly in the Global Majority. She is a firm believer in the power of collaboration and making full use of the intersectionality of different movements to push forth the cause for animal rights.
Sarita Joshi - Coordinator Capacity in Animal Protection Coalition
Elliot Carr - Lead Coordinator Sanctuaries and Rescue Centers Coalition
Elliot has spent much of the last ten years in Asia, working and volunteering for wildlife and visiting its beautiful natural places. Having been near obsessed with wildlife from a young age, Elliot has completed three degrees in animal and conservation sciences, conducted research on captive Asian elephant behavior, and published literature on the endangered serow across its Southeast Asian range.
Having lived and worked in wildlife rescue in Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand, and visited many more countries, Elliot has developed an understanding of the sheer scale and complexity of conservation and wildlife issues across Asia, and globally. With this experience, Elliot works to ensure sanctuaries and rescue centers are connected to opportunities and each other, so they can learn more to further their conservation and animal welfare missions.
Having lived and worked in wildlife rescue in Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand, and visited many more countries, Elliot has developed an understanding of the sheer scale and complexity of conservation and wildlife issues across Asia, and globally. With this experience, Elliot works to ensure sanctuaries and rescue centers are connected to opportunities and each other, so they can learn more to further their conservation and animal welfare missions.
Koh Jieh Long (Koh) - Coordinator - Sanctuaries and Rescue Centers Coalition (SARCC) and Macaque Coalition (MACC)
Koh has a broad range of interests, from the evolution of altruistic behaviors to tropical forest restoration. Before joining the Asia for Animals Coalition (AfA), Koh has done fieldwork, captive care, outreach and education, permaculture, tree planting… With AfA, as a Coordinator for the Macaque Coalition (MACC) and the Sanctuaries and Rescue centers Coalition (SARCC), Koh is exploring creative ways to get people and organizations everywhere to work together so that they multiply as a whole to amount to greater impacts than their sum. He believes that everything is interconnected: rescue, rehabilitation, reintroduction, reforestation, and research, and that they can be integrated with the One Health approach to improve animal welfare, wildlife conservation, and climate mitigation.
Ngoc Anh Nguyen - Lead Coordinator AfA Policy Coalition
After graduating from the Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium), Ngoc Anh began her career in animal protection with a position at Animals Asia’s Hanoi office as the Farm Animal Welfare Assistant, and worked part-time for both AfA and Animals Asia.
As coordinator of AfA's Farm Animal Coalition in 2022, she organized Asia Farm Animal Day 2022, bringing together experts to share farm animal welfare insights. Recently becoming lead coordinator of AfA's Policy Coalition, she is hopeful that this member-driven group will bridge international policy and local animal welfare initiatives across Asia. From their vantage point gathering regional policy information, the Coalition aims to build capacity through workshops and reports analyzing the animal advocacy landscape.
As coordinator of AfA's Farm Animal Coalition in 2022, she organized Asia Farm Animal Day 2022, bringing together experts to share farm animal welfare insights. Recently becoming lead coordinator of AfA's Policy Coalition, she is hopeful that this member-driven group will bridge international policy and local animal welfare initiatives across Asia. From their vantage point gathering regional policy information, the Coalition aims to build capacity through workshops and reports analyzing the animal advocacy landscape.
Nicola O'Brien (Nicola) - Lead Coordinator - Social Media Animal Cruelty Coalition
Nicola first had her eyes opened to the plight of non-human animals at the age of 14, after meeting animal rights activists carrying out awareness raising in her local city center. Since then Nicola has dedicated her life to the protection of animals and promoting their status as individuals. She is particularly passionate about the protection of fishes and other aquatic animals, small animals kept as “pets” and the ending of animals kept in captivity for human entertainment.
Nicola has volunteered in animal sanctuaries and grassroots campaigns. After completing a degree in Animal Welfare, she went on to work at the Wild Futures’ Monkey Sanctuary, based in the South of the UK, eventually focusing on fundraising and communications to support the sanctuary's resident monkeys, all survivors of the UK primate pet trade. From there, Nicola expanded her campaigning focus to animals exploited for entertainment, joining the UK charity, Freedom for Animals. Her almost 10 years at the charity included campaigning and fundraising on a wide range of animal protection issues including zoos, circuses, wild animal ‘pets’ and more. This included managing the UK’s first ever campaign advocating for the rights of animals kept in commercial aquariums.
Nicola also sits on the board of Trustees for the UK-registered animal charity, Tiny Paws Mcr, which rescues and rehomes rodents and rabbits.
Nicola now leads the Social Media Animal Cruelty Coalition (SMACC) with her fantastic team. SMACC supports its members working to bring an end to animal cruelty content found online, which features a wide range of animals and shocking cruelty. SMACC’s approach includes extensive corporate engagement with social media platforms like Meta and TikTok alongside public awareness campaigning.
Nicola has volunteered in animal sanctuaries and grassroots campaigns. After completing a degree in Animal Welfare, she went on to work at the Wild Futures’ Monkey Sanctuary, based in the South of the UK, eventually focusing on fundraising and communications to support the sanctuary's resident monkeys, all survivors of the UK primate pet trade. From there, Nicola expanded her campaigning focus to animals exploited for entertainment, joining the UK charity, Freedom for Animals. Her almost 10 years at the charity included campaigning and fundraising on a wide range of animal protection issues including zoos, circuses, wild animal ‘pets’ and more. This included managing the UK’s first ever campaign advocating for the rights of animals kept in commercial aquariums.
Nicola also sits on the board of Trustees for the UK-registered animal charity, Tiny Paws Mcr, which rescues and rehomes rodents and rabbits.
Nicola now leads the Social Media Animal Cruelty Coalition (SMACC) with her fantastic team. SMACC supports its members working to bring an end to animal cruelty content found online, which features a wide range of animals and shocking cruelty. SMACC’s approach includes extensive corporate engagement with social media platforms like Meta and TikTok alongside public awareness campaigning.
Winaya Satasya Tippy - Coordinator Social Media Animal Cruelty Coalition
Winaya’s love for animals began with a combination of admiration, curiosity, emotional connection, and personal belief that all living beings deserve to be treated humanely. Her journey with them started early in childhood and she knew early on that she wanted to work with and for animals. Now, she is doing so with the AfA Coalition.
From her interest in becoming a veterinarian to obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in zoology, she learned a lot about how history, culture, and geography affect people’s perception towards animals. The time she has spent volunteering, doing internships, or even being a visitor in a different country has also taught her that the world of animals is not simply black and white. This kind of human-animal relationship complexity has drawn her to the world of animal welfare, which she is now studying for a Master’s degree. Being a part of the AfA Coalition allows her to contribute the skills she honed for years as an animal welfare advocate, while also discovering new skills and knowledge from remarkable passionate people.
She is not only working for her passion for animals but also her passion for music. One of her biggest dreams of all is to be recognized for her self-written songs, in the hope that this recognition can aid her in educating more about animal welfare in Indonesia, the country she was raised and born in.
From her interest in becoming a veterinarian to obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in zoology, she learned a lot about how history, culture, and geography affect people’s perception towards animals. The time she has spent volunteering, doing internships, or even being a visitor in a different country has also taught her that the world of animals is not simply black and white. This kind of human-animal relationship complexity has drawn her to the world of animal welfare, which she is now studying for a Master’s degree. Being a part of the AfA Coalition allows her to contribute the skills she honed for years as an animal welfare advocate, while also discovering new skills and knowledge from remarkable passionate people.
She is not only working for her passion for animals but also her passion for music. One of her biggest dreams of all is to be recognized for her self-written songs, in the hope that this recognition can aid her in educating more about animal welfare in Indonesia, the country she was raised and born in.
Amanda Yonica Peotri Faradifa - Coordinator Macaque and Social Media Animal Cruelty Coalition
Amanda, born and raised in Indonesia, has always shared a strong connection with her local community, culture, and youth movements. Her journey led her to pursue a degree in Veterinary Medicine, where she gained a deep understanding of the interplay between humans, animals, and the environment.
Through internships and volunteer experiences working with various animals, from wildlife sanctuaries to marine rehabilitation centers, Amanda developed a profound appreciation for the intricate world of animal life and its complexities.
Following her graduation, Amanda worked as a junior veterinarian in the UAE, specializing in bird care, before returning to her true passion for wildlife. Her work with orangutans heightened her awareness of the conflicts between humans and primates, underlining the crucial role that awareness plays in addressing these issues.
With a background in design and social media, Amanda is dedicated to using her skills to raise awareness about animal welfare, conflict mitigation, and educational tools. She firmly believes in making the world a better place for animals in the Anthropocene era and sees AfA as the perfect platform for connecting with like-minded individuals and collectively advocating for animals.
Through internships and volunteer experiences working with various animals, from wildlife sanctuaries to marine rehabilitation centers, Amanda developed a profound appreciation for the intricate world of animal life and its complexities.
Following her graduation, Amanda worked as a junior veterinarian in the UAE, specializing in bird care, before returning to her true passion for wildlife. Her work with orangutans heightened her awareness of the conflicts between humans and primates, underlining the crucial role that awareness plays in addressing these issues.
With a background in design and social media, Amanda is dedicated to using her skills to raise awareness about animal welfare, conflict mitigation, and educational tools. She firmly believes in making the world a better place for animals in the Anthropocene era and sees AfA as the perfect platform for connecting with like-minded individuals and collectively advocating for animals.
Eileen Nyeow - Coordinator - Asia for Animals Coalition (AfA)
Eileen’s upbringing in the vibrant city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, initially limited her exposure to animals to books, TV programs, and her beloved dogs. Despite this urban environment, she managed to cultivate an affinity for wildlife and conservation, developing a connection with animals and holding a firm belief in the interconnectedness of all living beings.
Motivated by a desire to be a voice for the voiceless and to address urgent challenges of habitat destruction and species decline, Eileen embarked on a journey into the world of conservation six years ago. Determined to make a difference, she began her efforts through short-term volunteering commitments, progressively advancing to longer-term engagements, internships, and eventually landed her first official role as an Operations Coordinator with a marine conservation NGO, working with turtles 3 years ago.
For Eileen, conservation is more than just a career—it’s a heartfelt calling to restore harmony and uphold justice in the natural world, ensuring that every creature finds its rightful place to thrive.
Eileen firmly believes that change can only begin from within an individual, across all levels of society—whether personal, societal, or systemic; our beliefs and actions are catalysts for any meaningful change. With the opportunity afforded by the Asia for Animals Coalition (AfA), she strives to actively contribute to a collective effort, inspiring and influencing others to find common ground and foster harmonious coexistence in our shared home.
Motivated by a desire to be a voice for the voiceless and to address urgent challenges of habitat destruction and species decline, Eileen embarked on a journey into the world of conservation six years ago. Determined to make a difference, she began her efforts through short-term volunteering commitments, progressively advancing to longer-term engagements, internships, and eventually landed her first official role as an Operations Coordinator with a marine conservation NGO, working with turtles 3 years ago.
For Eileen, conservation is more than just a career—it’s a heartfelt calling to restore harmony and uphold justice in the natural world, ensuring that every creature finds its rightful place to thrive.
Eileen firmly believes that change can only begin from within an individual, across all levels of society—whether personal, societal, or systemic; our beliefs and actions are catalysts for any meaningful change. With the opportunity afforded by the Asia for Animals Coalition (AfA), she strives to actively contribute to a collective effort, inspiring and influencing others to find common ground and foster harmonious coexistence in our shared home.
Dieu-Hang (Dino) Tran - Communications Coordinator - Asia for Animals Coalition (AfA)
Having studied communications, a non-animal related major, Dieu-Hang (Dino) developed her keen interest in animal welfare and is investing her communications skills into animal advocacy. She worked as a communications officer at BEAR SANCTUARY Ninh Binh, a FOUR PAWS’ project before joining the Asia for Animals Coalition.
Acknowledging the fact that Asia has been a hotspot for illegal wildlife trade and many other animal welfare issues, Dieu-Hang (Dino) believes communicating these matters is also a way to help animals.
Acknowledging the fact that Asia has been a hotspot for illegal wildlife trade and many other animal welfare issues, Dieu-Hang (Dino) believes communicating these matters is also a way to help animals.
Khalisya Anjani Putri - Lead Coordinator Dog and Cat Coalition
Khalisya (nickname: Cica) is the current Lead Coordinator of the AfA Dog and Cat Coalition (DACC). Cica is an Indonesian veterinarian, her passion lies in small animals, animal welfare, and spay and neuter surgeries. Her life has been dedicated to animals and their well-being. She believes that her goal in life is to help the voiceless and wanted to pursue a career in animal welfare and advocacy, so she combined her interests and skills to become a shelter veterinarian. She is experienced with shelter medicine and has vast knowledge of animal welfare issues in her country especially regarding dogs and cats. She hopes that by leading the Dog and Cat Coalition, she can transform the state of animal welfare alongside with AfA and collaborate with other animal protection organizations to improve the lives of animals around the world.
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