Our Mission

Christopher Sebastian is a journalist, technical writer, and adjunct lecturer. He teaches in the School of Journalism, Media, and Visual Arts at Anglo-American University in Prague. He writes about food, politics, media, pop culture, and (of course) animals.

Dana McPhall is an educator and advocate dedicated to collaborating with educators, thought leaders, and community advocates in exploring and understanding the intertwined roots of racism/anti-Blackness and animal exploitation and in developing educational initiatives and fostering coalition-building to challenge and dismantle systems of racial hierarchy. In recent years, Dana has led nonprofit educational programs designed to support educators and advocates in promoting interrelated issues of social justice within the U.S. food system, and has taught and designed graduate level courses in humane education, including a self-designed course on race, intersectionality, and veganism. Most recently, Dana has launched a new educational project called Liberate In Mind whose mission is to shift cultural narratives and mindsets and to promote movement coalition-building in order to dismantle racialized systems of oppression that produce the subjugation of humans and beyond human animals. Earlier in her career, Dana advocated for justice on behalf of survivors of domestic violence, especially those within communities of color, and beyond human animals suffering from abuse and neglect. More generally, Dana has over 30 years of experience in the nonprofit, government, and legal sectors, and holds a Master’s Degree in Education through the Institute for Humane Education graduate programs, as well as a Juris Doctorate and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy.

Wanting every being to have their needs met, to be safe and seen as their whole, unique self is not a radical idea. Kim is right at home amongst like-minded comrades here at APEX, who tirelessly work towards this reality. Working with BIPOC leaders and activists here at APEX who are keeping the movement in motion and hold the answers to achieving a brighter, safer, more equitable future for all beings is her dream job. 

ever is a queer, trans masc, disabled, and neurodivergent Latinx organizer and systems strategist committed to total liberation—for humans, nonhuman animals, and the Earth. With over two decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, they bring a care-centered, anti-oppressive lens to operations, HR, and finance. ever is the founder of Liberatory People Ops and has held senior leadership roles at The Humane League, Californians for Justice, and Strozzi Institute for Somatics.

Rooted on unceded Kizh (Tongva) Land, ever's work is grounded in the belief that liberation is not theoretical, it’s logistical, relational, and embodied. When not dismantling systems, they can be found cooking plant-based meals for their Beloveds, gardening with their kids, walking slowly with their rescue dog, Honey, or pulling tarot as a practice of queer care and connection.

Akbar is a Denver-based activist committed to collective liberation across species and struggles. A vegan for nine years, he’s worked with groups like Mercy For Animals, Legal Impact for Chickens, and Logistically Nonprofit Services—leading efforts in operations, international expansion, recruitment, and legal support. After leaving medical school, Akbar chose a creative and philosophical path, earning a degree in English & American Literature from Northwestern. He’s also a writer, producer, and actor behind several award-winning TV and web series. Fluent in Spanish, Arabic, and Hindustani, Akbar brings a global fluency to his organizing.

Nikki, veteran activist with 20 years experience, is a South African who grew up in a white supremacy household during apartheid. This and a difficult childhood fuelled an unwavering sense of justice which led to her passion for intersectional liberationism. 

Other than dedicating her life to make tangible change in society, she is also an international vegan catering chef; a qualified private investigator; completed courses in criminal intelligence, wildlife forensics and is currently pursuing her law degree with a focus on international human rights and animal law. She has traveled the world documenting and investigating animal cruelty and abuse and has spent time in a foreign jail for her efforts. 

In her own words: “After a few years of volunteering for Apex Advocacy, I still feel so unbelievably blessed and privileged to be part of such an incredible, dynamic team and I cannot be prouder to stand shoulder to shoulder with each team member in the fight for total liberation! How lucky am I to know such wonderous people?”

Fernando was born and raised 8600 ft up in the Andes, in Bogotá, Colombia. He first got involved in anti-bullfighting campaigns in his hometown during the late 1990s, after which he co-founded Verdadera Compasión, the first organization in the country to embrace ethical veganism as a core tenet of animal liberation. He immigrated to the United States in 2003 and has volunteered and organized for different animal rights and vegan food justice organizations since then. Due to his experience growing up in a war torn country, his activism focuses on the intersection between human conflict and animal rights. In his spare time, he can be found in the mountains either rock climbing, hiking or backpacking; taking pictures, discussing the latest findings in particle physics, or any writings related to 17th-century philosopher Baruch Spinoza.

With her mind made up and a stroke of luck, Marissa made animal advocacy her full-time gig within a few months of becoming vegan. For eight years she has focused primarily on ending the exploitation of farmed animals. Digital marketing and fundraising is her speciality—well suited for her introverted, problem-solving nature. She quietly thrives on self-competition too. Now, as a volunteer with APEX, she’s excited to evolve her activism into a truer, more intersectional form.  “I’m profoundly grateful and honored to know this group of passionate, creative, and deeply caring rebels.”

Marissa lives in her hometown of Ventura, CA, with her best friends Romeo and Cruz. 🐶🐶