Episode 417: Yolanda Alvarez & Rosana Ng

Welcome to the 417th episode of Our Hen House!


First, Jasmin talks to Rosana Ng about her powerful journey from the fashion industry to the world of the animal advocacy, and the work she is doing with The Pollination Project to promote veganism and animal advocacy in China. Rosana Ng is the country coordinator of The Pollination Project’s Global Animal Advocacy Program. She is responsible for distributing impact seed grants in the Greater China Region.  Rosana’s lifelong passion for animals inspired a transformational mid-career change from leadership in the garment manufacturing sector to full time animal and social justice advocacy work. Rosana holds an MBA from Richard Ivey School of Business from University of Western Ontario, and an M.Ed. from Valparaiso University in Indiana, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Humane Education from the Institute for Humane Education in Maine. Rosana combines her eastern culture with her western education to drive change on interconnected issues that affect animals, people and the planet in culturally responsive ways.  
Then, Mariann talks to Yolanda Alvarez about the current situation in Puerto Rico for both animals and humans. Before founding ÁLVAREZ LEGAL, Yolanda Álvarez was the Vice-Chair of the Litigation Department and Chair of the Copyrights and Entertainment Divisions of a medium size law firm. She is an accomplished intellectual property attorney and litigator. Her main areas of practice are Intellectual Property (Trademark and Copyrights) & Entertainment, Commercial Litigation, and Animal Law. Ms. Álvarez is also an adjunct professor at the University of Puerto Rico School of Law, and has been a speaker at various local and national conferences. She has been actively involved in non-profit organizations such as the Special Olympics and the Film Foundation of Puerto Rico, of which she is a member of the Board of Directors. She has also been recognized for her efforts towards the wellbeing of animals in Puerto Rico, including her involvement in the drafting of the Animal Anti-cruelty Act, Act 154 of August 4, 2008, one of the most progressive legislation towards animal protection in the world. She is actively involved in the American Bar Association where she served as the Chair of the Intellectual Property Law Committee (2010-2013) within the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (“TIPS”). She is currently a Vice Chair of aforementioned committee and the Chair of International Issues of the Animal Law Committee.
Plus, Mariann covers this week’s News and Rising Anxieties!

As always, the award-winning weekly Our Hen House podcast is hosted by Mariann Sullivan and Jasmin Singer.

This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World is a hunger relief and animal protection organization chipping away at two of the world’s most immense, unnecessary and unconscionable forms of suffering… the suffering of people hungry from lack of food, and the suffering of animals used and abused for food. Mending our unjust food system is a critical part of solving the world’s most destructive and persistent problems. Fortunately, the plant-based foods that promote health and well-being are the same foods that conserve resources to better feed the world, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the environment. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.
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The Our Hen House theme song is written and sung by the incredible Michael Harren, who is also OHH’s Director of Communications! Don’t forget to tune into Our Hen House’s other two podcasts: The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and The Animal Law Podcast.