Joseph Connelly

Publisher

Co-creator Joseph Connelly had no idea when he started the Syracuse Area Vegetarian Education Society in 1996 to where it would lead. After running a local organization for four years, he realized the country needed a national publication to unify the vegetarian movement and, together with Colleen, launched the magazine in 2000 with a whopping $3k in start-up funds. Joe came to vegetarianism from a passion for environmental issues and has been self-employed nearly all of his life. Prior to VegNews, Joe owned and operated Play It Again Records, a music collectibles business, for 15 years.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? I'd have to go with sweet potatoes or yams because you can do so much with them.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carniverous friend? If we are in San Francisco, whatever Millennium is serving that night!

Sutton Long

Art Director

A happy San Francisco transplant originally from Richmond, Virginia, Sutton is an art director and graphic designer with a background in magazine design and a healthy appetite (some would say an addiction) for beautiful and interesting magazines. Sutton stopped eating meat about eight years ago after prolonged exposure to old-world European butcher shops while traveling. Her favorite veggie snacks usually involve chocolate, the primary exception being sushi, as she has not yet found an appetizing melding of cocoa beans and seaweed.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Sushi, especially avocado and eggplant rolls.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend? I make a crazy-delicious sun-dried tomato and mushroom risotto.

Kristen Haney

Editorial Assistant

Due to chronic indecisiveness, Editorial Assistant Kristen Haney spent her four years at the University of California, Santa Barbara bouncing around between Southern California, the Netherlands, and Washington, DC. After graduating in June, Kristen is happy to once again to be back in the Bay Area, persistent fog and all. When not at VegNews, she spends her spare time flipping bottles in the East Bay, preparing for an eminent zombie apocalypse, and trying (unsuccessfully) to kick her obsession with mustachioed men in tight pants.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Pizza loaded with veggies, vegan cheese, and pesto, especially after a day or two in the fridge.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend? The pineapple-quinoa-cashew stir-fry from Veganomicon. My dad, who still can't properly pronounce vegan, loves it.

Lara Bradley

West Coast Ad Rep

Lara is VegNews West Coast Sales Representative and resides in the ultra-hip vegan capital of the US, Portland, Oregon. A 20-year vegetarian and 10-year vegan, Lara worked in the escrow industry in Phoenix before heeding the call to help the voiceless, and was the Northwest Director of In Defense of Animals for three years before joining the VegNews staff. She considers VegNews a great way to softly educate the masses on a more gentle, healthy lifestyle. Lara's passions include hiking with her dogs and traveling the globe trying every great (veggie) restaurant she stumbles upon.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Tacos filled with rice, black beans, avocado, salsa, lettuce, and onions.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend? Tacos, again! I might also include some tortilla chips, guacamole, and margeritas.

Colleen Holland

Associate Publisher

Passionate about publishing and business, Associate Publisher Colleen Holland is the co-creator of VegNews. From their humble beginnings in 2000, she and Joseph grew the publication from a 28-page newspaper tabloid to an award-winning, full-color glossy magazine. A graduate of UCLA and the Natural Gourmet Institute, her background in food, marketing, and brand-building has helped to create a savvy, internationally renowned media company. Colleen has traveled around the world and enjoys yoga, cooking, urban hikes, and dining out at veg restaurants.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? An oversized, steaming bowl of laksa soup, a Malaysian specialty with tofu, rice noodles, greens, and cilantro in a fragrant coconut broth.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend? I've had a great response to my Thai yellow curry with potatoes, tofu, carrots, and broccoli over Jasmine rice.

Lyndsay Orwig

Office Manager

Former editorial assistant-turned-office manager extraordinaire, Lyndsay Orwig couldn't be happier working with the VN team. Having traveled to many different US locales the past several years, she finally has a place to call home in beautiful San Francisco. This University of Virginia alum wants to keep fighting for animal rights for a long time to come—be it through assisting VN subscribers, law, or activism—and plans to keep moving until she sees the entire world. It's a big agenda, but one that she is very excited about.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? My homemade Better Burger and a side of fresh cut, baked-to-perfection French fries.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend? That would be the Enchilada Bake found in PETA's starter kit.

Liz Miller

Editorial Assistant

Whether fact-checking an article or editing her grocery list, Liz Miller is seldom found without a pen and steno pad in hand. Born and raised in the landlocked heartland, Liz graduated in 2009 from Webster University with a bachelor's degree in media communications and minors in English and journalism. Since moving out west, she has fallen in love with San Francisco's thriving vegan community—and coastal running paths. For Liz, working at the VNHQ means combining her two greatest passions: writing and veganism. On her days off she enjoys shopping for vintage clothing, reading used books, and listening to vinyl records.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? A plate of rice noodles marinated in garlic Thai peanut sauce, with tomatoes, red bell peppers, and avocado.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend? A homemade veggie pizza complete with a thick, garlic crust.

Jill Petzke

East Coast Ad Sales Rep

Advertising Sales Representative Jill Petzke works out of VegNews' eastern region sales offices in Chippewa Falls, Wisc. An avid gardener, Jill enjoys harvesting fresh veggies from her organic garden every summer and loves sharing the bounty of her zucchini crop with neighbors. Jill spends her leisure time biking and skiing, depending on the season, and shares her life with her children, and companion animals. She thinks that taking small steps toward a greener lifestyle is something that everyone can and should strive to achieve.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Mixed greens topped with fresh strawberries, cucumbers, and a kick-ass raspberry vinaigrette.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend? My portabello, pecan, and green bean stir-fry, served, of course, on a bed of Wisconsin wild rice, with a glass of Frey wine in hand!

Elizabeth Castoria

Managing Editor

VN Managing Editor Elizabeth Castoria loves food far too much to taint it with the remnants of torture and murder, and has been a happy, well-fed vegan for most of her adult life. In her pre-VegNews days, she authored the award-winning "Voracious Vegan" food column for Mercury in Newport, RI, and obtained degrees in writing from the University of San Francisco and The New School in New York City. Her fiction has been published on pindeldyboz.com and in 34th Parallel. If she were able to share dinner with anyone in the world, she would invite Arundhati Roy and Gabriel García Márquez.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Potato gnocchi covered in a cashew-cream tomato sauce.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend? Barbecued faux-chicken fajitas served with Spanish rice, black beans, and fried plantains.

Abby Young

Associate Editor

A Midwest native not accustomed to veg-friendly establishments, Associate Editor Abigail Young spends most of her free time sampling the culinary scene of San Francisco and wandering the aisles of Rainbow Grocery. In addition to being an ethical vegan, Abigail is a self-proclaimed bibliophile that would wear the scent of "new book" if it could be bottled. She's currently living the dream, sharing her passion for veganism with the eclectic staff at VegNews.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Falafel wraps (fried, not baked) with extra tahini and a side of tabbouleh.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend? A huge brunch so she/he could get the best of sweet and savory. Pancakes, biscuits and gravy, home-style potatoes, and some tempeh bacon should do the trick.

Abigail Wick

Editorial Assistant

Abigail Wick, a native Texan, is proud to celebrate a decade of veganism. Peter Singer's Animal Liberation, a veg starter kit, and the cool punk kids from high school deserve many thanks. As an English undergrad at UT Austin, she developed a taste for noshing at the city's abundant veg eateries and publicly advocating for animal rights. She's settled in whimsical San Francisco, where she earned a Creative Writing MFA from CIIS and co-founded AccessCafe: Fine Dining Events (vegan, underground, DIY, farm fresh, bike powered).

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Textured vegetable protein sloppy joes on a hearty multi-grain bun slathered with garlic-infused Nayonaise.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend? A sumptuous veg brunch consisting of spicy tofu scramble, tamales, and mango salsa, plus fluffy biscuits, savory mushroom gravy, and free-flowing mimosas.

Paul Russell

Technology Director

After a long and varied career working in high technology in such diverse fields as offshore oil rigs, counter-espionage, and medicine, Paul felt that he needed more of a challenge. In 2001, he found this challenge when, in an unguarded moment, he accepted the role of technical support guru for VegNews Magazine. For those rare technical-support issues which are beyond his capabilities, he calls on his 10-year-old son, Thomas, aka "Mr T." Paul is a loyal British subject and his lifelong ambition is to teach the world the correct spelling of words such as "colour" and "aluminium."

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Baked beans on toast (a British delicacy). When in Santa Cruz, I love the bbq faux rib special at Dharma's, complete with mashed potatoes.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carniverous friend? Crispy Peking mock duck with pancakes and hoisin sauce.