Ben Williamson
US Executive Director

Ben Williamson leads Compassion in World Farming's US office, overseeing the running of its campaigns, food business, and operations. Originally from London, England, Ben has over a decade of experience working for leading animal protection organizations in both the United States and United Kingdom. As a lead spokesperson, Ben has made numerous television appearances including NBC, CNN, Fox News, CBS, and Good Morning America and authored numerous op-ed pieces in USA Today, Newsweek, New York Daily News, Independent and more.

Ben holds a Master’s degree in Political Science and Political Economy from London School of Economics and Political Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from University College London.

Amber Nelson
Human Resources and Operations Manager

Amber Nelson is the US HR & Operations Manager for Compassion in World Farming. She supports the team and organization by focusing on compliance, organizational growth, and operational strength, bringing over 15 years’ experience in non-profit finance and operations. 

Amber has a BA in History, Sociology, and Women’s Studies from St. Olaf College and an MBA with an emphasis in Accounting from Grand Canyon University. She spends her free time outdoors and hanging out with her (now) elderly herding mix.

Food Business

Tessa Hale
Head of Food Business

Tessa Hale is the US Head of Food Business for Compassion, overseeing the strategy and operations of the Food Business team’s work to improve the welfare of farmed animals and catalyze a shift to a more sustainable food system. She is especially interested in the intersections between animal welfare, sustainability, health equity, and social justice, and believes change is possible through a collaborative approach.

Prior to joining Compassion, Tessa led national workforce development programs, spearheaded innovative policy campaigns increasing access to healthy foods, and developed sustainable and equitable farm-to-institution food systems. Tessa holds a Master of Science in Nutrition Education from American University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Colorado. Outside of work, Tessa enjoys hiking in the Colorado mountains with her rescue pup and cooking with her daughters.

Dr. Hillary Dalton
Senior Research Manager

Hillary Dalton is the Senior Research Manager at Compassion in World Farming USA. Hillary holds a PhD in poultry behavior and welfare from the University of Guelph, an MSc in applied animal behavior and animal welfare from the University of Edinburgh, and a BSc in animal biology from the University of Alberta. Hillary previously served as a post-doctoral associate at Newcastle University, overseeing precision agriculture research on behavior, welfare and health topics in pigs and poultry.

During her career, Hillary has published several peer-reviewed scientific articles and has presented at several international conferences. Hillary uses her technical knowledge and experience to advise Compassion USA on strategies to improve farmed animal welfare and the sustainability of modern food production practices.

Kourtney Houk
Food Business Manager

Kourtney serves as a Food Business Manager with the U.S. team, working closely with major food businesses to adopt and build upon commitments for animal welfare. She is passionate about transforming food systems and is excited to partner with companies to drive systemic change toward regenerative agriculture and more sustainable farming practices.

Kourtney holds a Master’s in Higher Education Administration and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Business from Central Michigan University. She lives in Michigan and enjoys spending time on her growing homestead gardening, baking, and raising chickens.

Julia Johnson
Senior Food Business Manager

In her role as Senior Food Business Manager, Julia Johnson works with major U.S. food businesses, supports strategy development, and manages the production of food business assets, all with the central objective of driving improvements in farm animal welfare and environmental sustainability in our food system. She is particularly interested in regenerative agriculture, transitional farming, and ensuring biodiversity in our ecosystems. She holds a Master of Science in Anthrozoology from Canisius College, a Master of Divinity from Yale University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University.

Outside of her work with Compassion, she is an equestrian at heart and lives in Michigan with her family and paint horse.

Gabrielle Reisner
Food Business Manager

As Food Business Manager, Gabrielle Reisner leads projects with food business companies to deliver improved farmed animal policies. She combines her knowledge of animal welfare and public policy with years of experience in the food industry to assist companies in mapping out and meeting welfare and sustainability goals.

With roots in Memphis, home of the annual World Championship Barbecue Contest, she understands that food represents culture, history, religion, and so much more and that we can honor these experiences by improving our current factory farming practices and food systems.

Gabrielle holds a Master of Science in Animals and Public Policy from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University and a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Memphis. Outside of Compassion in World Farming, she is committed to local community organizations and enjoys keeping her neighborhood's free fridge stocked.

Campaigns

Audry Dubon
Media and Communications Manager

Audry Dubon is the Media and Communications Manager for Compassion USA, helping to tell the organization’s story through written and visual communications. She comes to Compassion with a variety of nonprofit experience from global health and human service organizations to local community nonprofits. In her role, Audry hopes to inspire others to play their part in the end of factory farming by staying informed and making small lifestyle changes with a big impact.

She received her Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications from Virginia Commonwealth University, with a concentration in Creative Advertising. Outside of her work with Compassion, Audry is a yoga teacher and cares for her three rescue pets.

Ronnika A. McFall, APR
Media Relations Manager

Ronnika A. McFall oversees media relations work for Compassion in World Farming's USA territory. This involves strategically leading, planning, coordinating, and successfully implementing innovative and effective communications projects including building relations with, and exposure in, traditional media (print, tv, radio). Through engaging writing, traditional media outreach, and managing incoming supporter communications, she ensures Compassion’s message reaches key stakeholders and the public.

Prior to joining Compassion, Ronnika led communications efforts for the American Red Cross Georgia, Florida, and Alabama-Mississippi regions and served as a Spokesperson for the organization. As a freelance Public Relations specialist, for nearly a decade, she gained her experience in established, mid-size, and small business settings by leading an award-winning public relations group.

She holds a Communications degree from Jackson State University and a master’s degree in Business Administration. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority INC, the NAACP and Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and she is an active, trusted community voice.

Allison Molinaro
Campaigns Manager

Allie Molinaro works to advance Compassion USA’s state and federal policy work, thought leadership, and activist mobilization. She focuses her work on placing factory farming in a broader context, highlighting its impacts not only on animal welfare but also on pollution, climate change, public health, and social justice. Prior to joining Compassion, Allie assisted in public education and donor relations at NRDC.

Allie holds an M.S. in Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management from The New School and a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Connecticut.

Fundraising

Callie Hennessy
Major Gifts and Development Director

Callie Hennessy, a relationship-builder, plant mom, and amateur vegan chef, is thrilled to be aligning her professional skills with her personal passion for farmed animal welfare and animal rights in her role as Major Gifts and Development Director for Compassion USA. In her work, she seeks the partnership of individuals, trusts, foundations, and corporate donors so that together we can be the voice for billions.

A Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from Boston University equipped Callie for years of fundraising with international NGOs in Switzerland and the United States. She currently lives in New York City with her daughter but her favorite place of all is outside where you will find her running, swimming, or camping in the open air.

Meghan Endicott
Donor Relations Coordinator

Meghan Endicott brings over 11 years of experience in the nonprofit sector to her role as Donor Relations Coordinator at Compassion in World Farming. Utilizing her extensive experience in donor stewardship, Meghan works to develop and maintain meaningful relationships with Compassion donors and supporters. Through strategy, data, interpersonal skills, and command of a variety of communication channels, Meghan recognizes and promotes the important role each individual supporter holds in ending factory farming.

Outside of work, Meghan can be found volunteering her time on the Board of Directors of Tenth Life Cat Rescue, an organization that prioritizes the rescue and care of cats with special needs.

Amanda Richard
Philanthropy & Partnerships Manager

Amanda Richard brings over 15 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector to Compassion in World Farming. Her vast knowledge of corporate and individual fundraising helps her create meaningful and impactful partnerships with Compassion’s mid-level, Circle of Compassion, and trust and foundation donors.

Having grown up in rural Ohio, she developed an interest in regenerative agriculture to support rural farming communities and sustainable environmental practices. She believes everyone should have equitable access to food and be able to make choices that align with their values.

In her free time, you’ll find her at her local farmer’s market swapping recipes with her favorite vendors, in the kitchen creating recipes for her blog, or checking out a new restaurant with her husband.

Marissa Valladolid
Individual Giving Manager

Marissa joins Compassion USA as the fundraising team’s Individual Giving Manager. With a focus on growth and engagement, she develops informative campaigns to fuel Compassion’s vital programs, creating opportunities for everyday animal lovers to become extraordinary animal advocates.

After more than four years of development and communications work in the farmed animal welfare movement, she remains committed to learning and connecting with other mission-driven individuals in meaningful ways. When not spearheading the next big fundraising push, she can usually be found hanging with her two best friends, Romeo and Cruz—small Chihuahua mixes with larger-than-life personalities.

Want to join our team? Take a look at our current open positions!