Northwest VEG Board of Directors and Staff

Keith Iding, President

Keith Iding comes to the Board with several previous years of Board experience, and a long-time working member of NW VEG.  He grew up in Michigan and then moved to Portland after college, degree in Environmental Sciences.  He recently retired from Oregon DEQ as a Natural Resource Specialist in Air Quality.  For most of the annual VegFests, he has been recording and posting videos of the presenters.  He also is a member of the UU Animal Ministry group, dedicated to the same vegan ethic, and has helped both organizations partner to sponsor animal advocacy events.  He brings an enthusiasm to find more effective ways to creatively work together on behalf of compassion and equality for all life. 

Linda Sant'Angelo, Treasurer

Northwest VEG plays a prominent role in providing education and support about a plant-based lifestyle to our community in so many exciting ways. The members of this organization continually inspire people to think outside the box. I love being a part of keeping things moving along and I would be happy to continue to serve as treasurer.

Cat Black, Northwest VEG Director of Programs

I have been eating a fully plant-based diet for over 15 years and am eager to help more people make sustainable lifestyle choices for the sake of our planet, animal welfare, and their own health. I hope that working together we can open minds and change behaviors. My earnest desire is to share information about how important and impactful each of our personal choices is. Progress is when the totality of our decisions is moving in the right direction: toward a more healthy, sustainable, and compassionate world. When I’m not working, you can find me in the garden or on the river, with my family and rescue dogs LaLa, Bugs, and Figgy.

Susan Hanson

I have volunteered with NW Veg for many years.  I especially enjoyed helping with Veg 101.  I have been vegan for almost 20 years, and I am always cooking something new and exciting.  I enjoy hiking, biking, gardening and cooking delicious vegan food. I look forward to helping NW Veg work toward a vegan world.

Donna Reynolds

I became a vegetarian after seeing the movie Babe and became vegan after seeing Forks Over Knives. When I then searched for support in 2012 in how to follow a vegan lifestyle, I discovered and enjoyed the many presentations, classes, potlucks, and other events offered by Northwest VEG. I was co-editor of the newsletter for several years and organized a six-week VegCurious course with various topic presentations, multiple cooking demos, and plenty of samples.
I now look forward to working with the NW VEG board and our numerous volunteers to help others in the Portland area discover the many benefits of transitioning to, and maintaining a plant-based lifestyle.

Gail Sears

I first became aware of NW VEG when I attended VegFest. I was so impressed with this gathering that I became a member. A few years after that, I began participating in and volunteering for the Tofurky Trot, an event that I dearly love to this day. While I have not convinced many people over the years to stop eating animal products, I know that many have begun to think more deeply about it.  

As a recent retiree, I enjoy walking dogs at the local shelter, working as a hospice volunteer, hiking, gardening, movies, and so much other fun stuff. It is my honor to serve on the board of NW VEG.