Michiana VegFest is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, led by passionate and energetic volunteers who care about health, wellness, animals, and the environment. Meet the Board and the team who are helping make this event happen. If you would like to join our team, fill out our volunteer application form and tell us about you and what you are interested in.
Michael adopted a vegan lifestyle over three years ago, motivated by his concerns for food safety, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare.
Originally from the United Kingdom, he moved to the United States in 1988 and became a U.S. citizen in 2002.
He holds a Bachelor of Technology (Honors) in Production Engineering and Management from Loughborough University, England, and is a Chartered Engineer (C.Eng.) as well as a member of the Institute of Engineering Technology.
Over his 45-year career, Michael has served in several chief executive roles across the medical equipment, aerospace, power generation, and electrical contracting industries. Before retiring, he was Chief Executive Officer of Inovateus Solar, reflecting his strong commitment to solar and renewable energy.
Michael is a longtime Rotarian—over 30 years of service—and a Past President of both the South Bend and Norcross (Atlanta) Rotary Clubs. The father of three internationally minded children—two based in the UK and one in Germany—he is also an avid marathon runner, having completed 13 races. His leisure interests include travel, time at the beach, walking in forests and mountains, and following Formula One and rugby.
Marcy’s plant-based journey began in 2017 after her watching the documentary What the Health. Choosing not to take her doctor’s advice to begin a statin drug to lower cholesterol, she opted instead to adopt a healthy, whole foods, plant-based lifestyle. A mere six weeks later, she’d achieved a 50 point reduction in her total cholesterol number! In addition, her recurring migraine headaches are gone. Today she’s quick to share her new-found knowledge with others who may be struggling with health issues.
As a 21 year member of the La Porte County Master Gardener program, Marcy is also a steward for the earth and its environment; the plant-based lifestyle falls into perfect alignment with these values.
“I truly believe in the plant-based lifestyle, not only for human health (and animal life), but also for the health of the planet. Working through Michiana Veg Fest affords the opportunity to share this critical information with others.”
Jeff became a vegetarian about 25 years ago related to concern for the environment. He has been vegan for over 12 years after learning more about the health benefits of a fully plant-based diet.
Jeff is originally from Canada. He graduated from Calvin College with a degree in social work and psychology and has worked in healthcare for 20+ years.
Dave began his plant-based diet journey in 2018 to improve his running performance. After a life-threatening heart issue, he decided to become whole food plant-based vegan. As he learned more about veganism, the positive impact on the environment and sustainability reinforced his decision. Dave joined Michiana VegFest to raise awareness about veganism’s impact on personal health and creation of a sustainable world.
Dave works as a technology executive at a global technology consulting firm. He spends most of his free time with his wife, three daughters and two dogs in Granger. When he’s not with his family, Dave spends time running, bike trekking throughout the Midwest and perpetually fixing his Jeep Wrangler JK.
Dave is a proud graduate of the Dean Ornish Reversal Program and a fan of Dr. Michael Greger’s Nutrition Facts.
Ashley began her journey into whole-food, plant-based eating in 2019 after reading Dr.Michael Greger’s “How Not To Die”. In an effort to bridge the gap between her dietary choices and those of her omnivorous household, she began her journey as a vegetarian. In December 2024, she realized that the butter, eggs, and cheese that she was consuming daily were significantly impacting her cholesterol and she started the practice of “going vegan” as author Matthew Halteman describes so beautifully in his book “Hungry, Beautiful Animals”. Since going vegan, Ashley’s cholesterol levels have already been cut in half!
LaDawn White is a wife, mother of two young adults, and a serial entrepreneur. She is the founder of several local businesses, including Almost Vegan, a plant-based kitchen and bakery serving the Michiana area. Her journey toward veganism began after watching What the Health, which inspired her to embrace a fully vegan lifestyle and create plant-based dishes that honor her Southern roots and diverse cultural influences.
As a Vegfest board member, LaDawn actively promotes plant-based living by providing resources and flavorful, accessible meals and desserts to the community. Her passion extends beyond animal rights to a deep commitment to environmental sustainability, using her businesses and advocacy to make a lasting impact.
Before moving to the U.S. more than 30 years ago, Catherine lived abroad in Switzerland and Morocco. She taught French and Francophone literature and film at the University of Notre Dame until her retirement in 2016.
An ethical vegan who is passionate about health and the environment, Catherine helped found Michiana VegFest in 2018. Over the years, she has also organized community gatherings and restaurant outings for the local group VegMichiana.
.In other veg-related projects, she has volunteered for two national organizations: the Humane Party as Editing Coordinator and The Pollination Project as Grant Advisor.
Tyler is super passionate about making a positive impact on others, endlessly learning, and helping the world think more about stewardship and sustainability for Mother Earth. Before 2022, Tyler did not know a lot about the negative environmental impacts, animal harm, and human health issues around animal agriculture. Tyler was a sponsor of the 2022 Vegfest, and that all changed quickly when he met the legendary Glen Merzer who convinced him to go vegan to lower his dangerously high cholesterol! One month after going full vegan, Tyler lowered it by 100 points in the positive direction. He is now a proud vegan for the planet, and a new board member of Michiana VegFest as of 2023! Check out his LinkedIN page to learn more, or reach out to him.
Alanna has served as a staff member at the University of Notre Dame since spring 2023 and is an alumna of Saint Mary’s College. She adopted a plant-based lifestyle in February 2020. Drawn to the creativity and innovation of plant-based cuisine, she enjoys exploring alternatives to traditional animal products. Her commitment to this lifestyle also plays a meaningful role in her own personal health journey living with a chronic physical condition.
John Conway is a partner in the South Bend law firm of SouthBank Legal. John represents clients in commercial litigation matters in state and federal court. He’s admitted to practice in Indiana, Michigan, Texas, and the District of Columbia. John also serves as an adjunct professor of law at the Notre Dame Law School where he teaches in the trial skills program. He is AV rated (the highest legal rating available) for excellence by the leading law firm rating service, Martindale-Hubbell.
John is also a graduate of the Dean Ornish Lifestyle Program.
Fueled by her passion for food people and food, In 2018 Jas began looking for ways to eat and live healthier. Inspired by health documentaries, she uncovered that a change in food could aid in preventing health disparities that she’d seen plague so many people that she cared about.
Jasmine took matters into her own hands and began to shift the way she looked at food, seeing food as the source of healing. She began to consume plant-based options and took some of her favorite dishes and made them into vegan dishes without sacrificing taste; surprising everyone she shared her dishes with! Thus the creation of Vegan Bites by Jas!
At Vegan bites by Jas, We work hard to empower and educate our customers to live the long, healthy, and fulfilled life that they desire. We exist to make comfort food healthy & delicious! Every day we are striving to impact people’s lives, by changing what they eat!
As her business slogan says, “Let’s do this health Journey together!”
In addition to being the owner of Vegan Bites by Jas, Jasmine owns Cultivation by Jas where she is supporting youth and family-focused organizations that desire to engage, impact, and empower in their community.
She has been a proud resident of the South Bend area since 1989.
In March 2022, Dana retired from St. Joseph County Public Library after 25 years of incredible opportunities and experiences, working with inspiring colleagues and community members.
She finished up her last 10 years as Manager of the Francis Branch.
In 2022, she also became involved with the Art League of the South Bend Museum of Art.
In addition to her work at St. Joseph County Public Library, Dana has had the good fortune to work in public libraries in Green Bay, St. Louis, Niles, and Underhill/Jericho, Vermont.
She has also worked in many retail jobs including food coops along with museums in Green Bay and Madison, Wisconsin. These have all deeply influenced Dana in how she works with people…as hospitality is her thing.
Dana loves dogs and cats and goats. (her household = one Ooona, one Pete)
Because of her love for animals, Andrea first planned to be a veterinarian. Instead, she chose a career in music and recently retired after 36 years performing with the South Bend Symphony. For the past 17 years, she has worked in health/wellness/nutrition. She now serves as National Marketing Director for the Juice Plus+ Company.
Becoming vegan in 2010 was a result of “finally living in alignment with [her] core values.” Watching the documentary Eating (check out www.ravediet.com) flipped the switch for her and she went from a complete omnivore to vegan overnight.
Andrea lives in South Bend with her husband and is mom to 4 cats and a dog. She crafted a personal mission statement about 15 years ago and is now living it to the best of her ability: “To serve. To generate and inspire kindness and healing to Mother Earth and all living things.”
After volunteering for the Veg Fest event in 2019 and giving “Kind Chef” talks alongside Veg EDU at the beginning of 2020, Santana was excited to help further develop plant-based roots in the community.
Beyond her role as a plant-based advocate, Santana is also a softball coach and a personal risk advisor at Gibson Insurance.
More information about Santana Bozman:
Santana’s helpful description of priority plant-based foods (pdf);
Santana’s favorite foods;
Santana’s dramatic weight change after she adopted a plant-based lifestyle.
