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Meet The Faunalysts

Our team shares your heartfelt desire to help animals and brings an unwavering commitment to finding the best ways for advocates to save lives and reduce suffering.

Staff

Administration Team

Picture of Brooke Haggerty (she/her)

Brooke Haggerty (she/her)

Executive Director

Brooke Haggerty has over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and has dedicated her career to animal protection. She stepped into the leadership role with Faunalytics in January 2020 after serving as our operations manager for over a year. Previously, she served as the executive director and later as a board member for the Foundation for Animal Care and Education, and also worked as a humane educator and later as a campaigns director for the Animal Protection and Rescue League. Brooke is a former board member and programming chair for the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of San Diego, former board member for HandsOn San Diego, and actively volunteers with her alma mater's student mentorship program. In 2022, she was named one of "40 Top Business Leaders Under 40" by the San Diego Business Journal. Brooke has an MA in Human Behavior, a BA in English, and certifications in Marketing and Nonprofit Management. In her free time, she enjoys classic literature and the great outdoors.

You can reach Brooke at [email protected]

Brooke's Faunalytics publications can be found here.

Picture of Victoria Keehn (she/they)

Victoria Keehn (she/they)

People & Operations Director

Victoria is deeply passionate about animal advocacy and creating inclusive, people-centered workplaces. With a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, they have built a career focused on advancing organizational culture and operational excellence. Victoria entered the nonprofit sector with a drive to make a tangible impact, and their journey in people and operations management has only deepened their commitment to equity, social justice, and animal protection. Victoria holds an MA in Nonprofit Management from Johns Hopkins University, a BA from SUNY Purchase College, and several HR certifications. Outside of work, they enjoy crafting, hiking, cuddling with their two cats, Luna and Lillian, and sipping iced lattes.

You can reach Victoria at [email protected]

Picture of Pona Tran (she/her)

Pona Tran (she/her)

Operations & Finance Coordinator

Pona joined Faunalytics with a belief in data-driven animal advocacy and a desire to do more to protect the precious animals with whom we share our planet. She holds a BA in Arts Management from the University of Toronto, and has worked at a number of arts organizations throughout her career. Pona also teaches English, and occasionally speaks at language and culture conferences on topics such as heritage and identity. Pona enjoys orchestral music, reading, sun protection, and pampering Selena, her feline family member.

You can reach Pona at [email protected]

Picture of Liz Wheeler (she/her)

Liz Wheeler (she/her)

Philanthropy Manager

Liz Wheeler is an animal advocate passionate about connecting people with animals who need protection. Liz started her career working with companion animals in shelter medicine and veterinary practice before completing a certificate in Animal Welfare from Thompson Rivers University and a certification in Anthrozoology at the University of Windsor, where her passion for farmed animal advocacy flourished. In 2022, Liz began rescuing chickens and is now the proud founder of Secondhand Stories Chicken Sanctuary. If you ever have a meeting with Liz, you may see a few of her rescue chickens or adopted cats wander across Zoom, so make sure you say hello!

You can reach Liz at [email protected]

Liz's Faunalytics publications can be found here.

Research Team

Picture of Carley MacKay (she/her), PhD

Carley MacKay (she/her), PhD

Projects Manager

Carley is a long-time believer in the power of bridging advocacy with research. She has a background in project management and holds a MA in Theory, Culture, and Politics from Trent University and PhD in Geography from York University. Specializing in animal geographies, Carley’s doctoral research explored the emotional, social, and physical dimensions of animal welfare on grass-fed beef farms, and the complex relationships that develop among animals and farmers as a result. With a variety of peer-reviewed publications spanning the topics of animal ethnography, animal auction violence, alternative food systems, and animal welfare, Carley’s passion for researching and writing about animal issues has been foundational to her advocacy. A guiding principle that shapes her understanding of animal issues is that creating meaningful change for animals is intimately tied to advocating for social and environmental justice. Outside of her role at Faunalytics, Carley loves dance, cuddling her kiddos, cooking while sipping wine, and rewatching/quoting movies she has seen hundreds of times.

You can reach Carley at [email protected]

Picture of Andrea Polanco (she/her), PhD

Andrea Polanco (she/her), PhD

Research Scientist

Andrea Polanco is a trained animal welfare scientist with a PhD from the University of Guelph, but is now happily conducting social science research at Faunalytics. Although Andrea entered the field of animal welfare science to reduce animal suffering, she became a more vocal animal advocate halfway through her PhD. Animal rights activism introduced Andrea to different social justice movements and the principles of collective liberation. When she isn’t empirically studying animal advocacy, Andrea co-organizes vegan demos for her local We The Free chapter, in addition to participating in local rallies for different causes. Despite activism being central in Andrea’s life, she also understands the importance of rest and joy which for her include birding, discovering new TV shows, and relaxing with her cat companion Zupa/Sopa (‘soup’).

You can reach Andrea at [email protected]

Andrea's Faunalytics publications can be found here.

Picture of Allison Troy (she/her), PhD

Allison Troy (she/her), PhD

Research Director

Allison is passionate about translating research into evidence-based strategies to make the world a better place for animals and people alike. She received her PhD in Social Psychology from the University of Denver, where she conducted research on emotion regulation and resilience to stress. She has authored dozens of scientific publications and her work has been used to inform evidence-based mental health interventions. More recently, Allison has used her research background and her passion for understanding human emotions to inform advocacy efforts across the U.S. by conducting research that identifies effective strategies for advocates working for global justice. She has used this research to develop messaging guides, digital resources, and trainings that have been used by thousands of advocates across the country. Through this work, she has witnessed the power of using evidence to help people successfully advocate for change in the world around us. In her role at Faunalytics, Allison is thrilled to be able to bring her love of research, writing, and community organizing to support the incredible animal advocacy efforts taking place across the globe. In her free time, Allison enjoys watching community theater productions with her daughter, practicing improv comedy, and cultivating her herbal tea garden.

You can reach Allison at [email protected]

Picture of Zach Wulderk (he/they)

Zach Wulderk (he/they)

Research Scientist

After years of advocating for animals outside of work, Zach Wulderk decided to make his passion for animals his career. He has a background in economics and political science, graduating from Wesleyan University with a BA in Government, and worked for several years in both economic consulting and economic development before joining the Faunalytics team. Zach is a self-professed R nerd and is always looking for new applications for his favorite software. Outside of work, Zach is often playing music with his band, trying out new vegan recipes, or taking too many pictures of his rescue cats, Zucchini and Hippo.

You can reach Zach at [email protected]

Zach's Faunalytics publications can be found here.

Resource & Library Team

Picture of Meghann Cant (she/her)

Meghann Cant (she/her)

Research Library Manager

When she was young, Meghann dreamed of helping animals by becoming a veterinarian, but as an undergraduate, she discovered animal welfare science and never looked back. After pursuing a Master’s degree in the field, she went on to work for the British Columbia SPCA. It was there that she discovered her passion for knowledge translation, communicating animal welfare science to kids as part of the organization’s humane education department. From there, Meghann joined the BC SPCA’s science and policy team, where she specialized in companion animal welfare. Appreciating that impacting animal lives often means impacting human lives too, she also holds a Bachelor’s degree in social work. Outside of work, Meghann enjoys reading, gardening, watching birds in her backyard, fostering tiny, ancient dogs, and designing animal pun t-shirts for herself.

You can reach Meghann at [email protected]

Picture of karol orzechowski (he/him)

karol orzechowski (he/him)

Resource Director

karol orzechowski is a longtime animal advocate with a passion for advocacy, art, statistics, and tech. In addition to years of investigative work on factory farms, karol is the director of Maximum Tolerated Dose, a feature-length documentary about the psychological toll of vivisection on both animals and humans. He completed a Bachelor of Environmental Studies and an MA in Communications and Culture at York University, writing theses on nationalism and the Atlantic seal hunt, and Canadian rodeo culture, respectively. When he's not working for Faunalytics, karol is the Board Chair of a non-profit independent news publication in his hometown. Outside of work, karol is often reading about computer hacking and infosec, organizing and performing at events in his local arts scene, or walking with Raoul the rescue dog.

You can reach karol at [email protected]

karol's Faunalytics publications can be found here.

Picture of Jenna Riedi (she/her)

Jenna Riedi (she/her)

Communications Manager

Jenna Riedi is a devoted life-long animal advocate and is passionate about protecting and advancing the lives of animals around the world. She has worked and volunteered for nonprofit organizations for over 20 years, with a focus on marketing and fundraising. Jenna graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a BA in History and an MA in Library Information Sciences, from UW-Milwaukee with an MS in Nonprofit Management and Leadership, and has a masters certificate in Shelter Medicine from the University of Florida. Jenna spends her downtime with her trio of companion animals (Navi, Mielikki, and Starbuck), and also enjoys reading, singing, and hiking.

You can reach Jenna at [email protected]

Jenna's Faunalytics publications can be found here.

Picture of Aro Roseman (xe/xem)

Aro Roseman (xe/xem)

Data Analyst & Visual Coordinator

Aro Roseman is a life-long animal lover and is passionate about doing everything possible to make the world a better place for them. Xe has volunteered with the Birds of Prey Foundation to rehabilitate sick and injured raptors so they can return to their natural habitats, and has helped wolves lead fulfilling lives at Mission:Wolf. After Aro graduated from the University of Colorado with an MS and BA in integrative physiology and BAs in neuroscience and psychology, xe turned xyr research and data analysis skills toward the greater good, particularly animal welfare. Currently xe is working on a research study investigating the causes of cancer in golden retrievers. Aro is also passionate about being a giant nerd. Xe loves coding, and it is not uncommon to find xem building a complex spreadsheet just for fun in xyr free time. Xe also enjoys playing Dungeons & Dragons, practicing archery, and coaching Taekwondo when not working.

You can reach Aro at [email protected]

Aro's Faunalytics publications can be found here.

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