Watkins Glen, NY (January 10, 2022) — As a registered patent attorney, biomedical engineer, and most recently, Executive Producer of “The Game Changers” documentary—an evidence-based film featuring elite plant-based athletes—Nirva Kapasi Patel is up for any challenge. In her new role as Chair of the Board of Directors of Farm Sanctuary, the country’s founding farm animal sanctuary and advocacy organization, she will partner with CEO Megan Watkins to lead the legacy nonprofit’s commitment to addressing the full scope of interrelated social injustices rooted in animal agriculture.
“What’s bad for animals is also bad for people,” said Patel. “If we’re to shift agriculture to a more just and sustainable system, it’s critical that we address all the harms perpetuated by animal agriculture, and this means working closely with our colleagues in workers’ rights, food and environmental justice. I’m honored to lead Farm Sanctuary’s Board of Directors during this time of rapid progress.”
A passionate advocate for animal welfare, Patel is the Global Policy Fellow with the Brooks McCormick Jr. Animal Law & Policy Program at Harvard Law School. She formerly served as Vice Chair on Farm Sanctuary’s board before succeeding Emily Deschanel in her role as Chair. Patel worked in animal advocacy in Mumbai, India for close to a decade, and in the U.S. she has individually sparked a number of advocacy campaigns, including a successful push to ban the sale of fur in Weston, MA. Patel also serves on the Board of the International Vegan Film Festival, and is an Advisory Board Member of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA). A resident of Boston, she has provided strategic fundraising efforts for numerous non-profit capital and development campaigns in the city. She holds a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Boston University, a J.D. from The New England School of Law, and an M.S. in Animals and Public Policy from Tufts University. Her passion for animals was predicated by the Jain philosophy of ahimsa (non-violence), which advocates a vegan lifestyle.
Rounding out the officer slate of the Board of Directors is current Secretary and former corporate securities attorney Sandee Ting Simshauser, who will succeed Patel as Vice Chair; current member and former President and COO of Sittercity, Naomi Sachs, who will succeed Anthony Milazzo as Treasurer; and current member and founder of communications firm Mulberry & Astor, Chris Allieri, who will succeed Ting Simshauser as Secretary. Emily Deschanel will remain on the Board as a member.
About Farm Sanctuary
Founded in 1986, Farm Sanctuary fights the disastrous effects of animal agriculture on animals, the environment, social justice, and public health through rescue, education, and advocacy. The organization provides lifelong care for animals rescued from abuse at Sanctuary locations in New York and California; fosters just and compassionate vegan living; and advocates for legal and policy reforms. To learn more about Farm Sanctuary, visit FarmSanctuary.org.
