AVA Was Magical!
Jo’Vonna and I at AVA.
I had decided not to attend AVA, but last minute, after chatting with a colleague, we decided to each jump on a plane and meet there.
And I am so glad we did. I’ve always known he was amazing. But spending time with him in a way that we have not been able to in so many years filled my heart. I also finally met another colleague whom I’ve only ever spoken and Zoomed with - and who knew that he had a body – LOL.
From left to right: Marcella, Rocio, Jessika, and Zahra. AVA.
Emmanuel and I at AVA.
Not only that, but I got real life hugs from Monica, Brooke, Melanie, Flavia, Cailen, Pete, Gene, and Dawn. I got to see other Canadians whom I’ve not seen in what feels like forever including Anita, Louise, Kimberly, and Camille. I got to know another wonderful Canadian man, Dan, without whom I’m not sure I would have made it to DC – right Dan? I bumped into yet another Canadian, Gabriel, and I’m excited to chat with him soon to learn more what he’s doing for animals now. I got to know Sebastian better and learn about their work in Belgium and the Czech Republic. I saw amazing women that I hadn’t seen in years like Liz, Sharon, and Reneé. I met Jessica, an accomplished journalist whose work I have followed for several years. I learned how to courtesy from Alex, a professional ballerina. I sang Tom Sawyer with Geddy Lee, OK, so maybe not Geddy Lee but close enough eh Aaron? I spent time with incredible activists from across the world whom I’ve had the honour of working with for the past year including Emmanuel, Rocio, Zahra, and Marcella, even though we didn’t find any ice cream – next time for sure! I did tequila shots with a team of Brazilian activists (for which I’m paying the price as I write this – LOL). I hugged some wonderful former colleagues whose faces made my heart sing including Sara and Matt and Warren. I re-connected with my favourite Norwegian goddess, Alice, who may or may not be related to Tom Selleck. I met Jen’s baby even though I didn’t actually see Jen – Jen, he’s gorgeous. I had dinner with some of the people I love most in the world like Jessika and Audrey. I hung out with long time dear friends like Jim and Meghan. I met so many people I’d never met before including Edie, a woman who founded the first animal law firm in the UK, Natalie, who’s into organizational processes as much as I am (yup, there are now two of us in the world ha ha), and David who runs Vegan Hactivists. I was able look into the beautiful eyes of my bestie Lauri without having to use a screen. And, thanks to Dawn, with whom we may or may not have defaced legal currency in both of our countries, I finally met a woman that I have been honoured to call my friend. This incredible woman – Jo’Vonna, told me that I changed her life though the truth of the matter is that she changed mine. I can’t believe I got to hug her for reals and I still have tears in my eyes!
I am re-energized and re-invigorated because of all of you.
Alex, Aaron, and Lauri. AVA.
AVA reminded me that each and every one of you who were there, in body or in spirit, are my community. We need each other, we need to see each other, we need to be with each other, and we need to remember that being with each other fills our bodies and our minds and spirits, and when we are full, and only when we are full can we do our best work. And while we may not all agree on what that work is exactly, we do all agree on one thing, that we all do what we do . . .
Always for the Animals,
Krista
A huge thank you for every person who worked so hard to make AVA a reality.
Krista is the Executive Director of For The Greater Good where she consults with animal protection organizations on matters of organizational development, strategic planning, and board governance. Krista serves on several boards including One Protest, The Rancher Advocacy Program, Egg-Truth, Dairy-Truth, and is an advisor for RARA, Rights for Animal Rights Activists. Krista previously served as the VP of Mercy For Animals in Canada, and the President of the Board for Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary.
Krista holds a doctorate in social sciences where her research focused on the employment experiences of animal rights activists in Canada and the United States. She also holds five additional degrees in human resources, including a master’s degree in organizational development and leadership. Krista is Associate Faculty for her alma matter, Royal Roads University, where she supervises master’s students and teaches. Krista is also a peer reviewer for the Journal of Critical Animal Studies.
Formerly, Krista founded a boutique employment and labour law firm in Toronto, and before that she spent fifteen years in HR including as the vice president of HR for one of the largest software companies in the world.