Northwest VegFest 2026 Speaker Lineup
Need Talk Title
Aaron Adams - NEED TITLE
Placeholder text xxxxx Terri Chrisman explores how simple lifestyle changes can dramatically improve health and vitality. Using her E.N.E.R.G.Y. framework, she introduces six pillars that support long-term wellness and disease prevention.
Terri will also host a plant-based cooking demonstration featuring recipes from her book Fabulous Health: A Simple Plan to Get Well and Stay Well, along with an interactive workshop that provides practical tools for incorporating healthy habits into everyday life.
Bio
NEED BIOXXXXX is a board-certified nutritionist and award-winning author dedicated to helping people improve their health through practical, science-based lifestyle strategies. Her work focuses on empowering individuals to prevent and reverse chronic disease through whole-food, plant-based nutrition and sustainable daily habits. Through her presentations, writing, and educational programs, Terri inspires people to take control of their health and build lasting wellness.
VITALITY & WELLNESS
The science of plant-based health.
OUR WORLD, OUR IMPACT
Expert insights on activism, environment, and exploration
Balls, Balls, Balls = TITLE?
Chef AJ - Plant-Based Pioneer, Chef, Author & Speaker
Chef AJ has been a culinary leader for over 48 years. Former host of "Healthy Living with CHEF AJ" on Foody TV, she is a speaker and author of four bestsellers, including "The Secrets to Ultimate Weight Loss" and "Unprocessed." Previously the Executive Pastry Chef at Santé in LA, she specialized in sugar-, oil-, and salt-free desserts. Today, she hosts a thriving YouTube channel with 250,000+ subscribers, interviewing health experts and sharing recipes to inspire thousands to live healthier.
Bio
Chef AJ has been a culinary leader for over 48 years. Former host of "Healthy Living with CHEF AJ" on Foody TV, she is a speaker and author of four bestsellers, including "The Secrets to Ultimate Weight Loss" and "Unprocessed." Previously the Executive Pastry Chef at Santé in LA, she specialized in sugar-, oil-, and salt-free desserts. Today, she hosts a thriving YouTube channel with 250,000+ subscribers, interviewing health experts and sharing recipes to inspire thousands to live healthier.
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbyCJY7AC4k&t=276s
WEB: https://chefaj.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/therealchefaj/
Delicious Anti-Inflammatory Quinoa Salads
Linda Tyler, Author and Instructor
Whether you’re struggling with inflammation or just want to stay in tip-top shape, come learn how a plant-based diet can make a big difference. Linda will discuss the ways diet can calm inflammation and will demonstrate three variations of a quinoa salad from her Plant-Based Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook. The salads will feature an array of anti-inflammatory superstars—the foods that research has shown to be especially helpful with inflammation. Come taste these healthy, flavorful salads and see how delicious plant-based eating can be.
Bio
Linda Tyler is a Portland-based cooking instructor, cookbook author, and food photographer. Her Plant-Based Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook focuses on superstar foods that can help calm chronic inflammation. Her meal-prep guide, Cook Once, Eat Better, provides 12 weeks of healthy, balanced plant-based meals using an easy mix-and-match approach for maximum efficiency and flexibility. Linda teaches cooking classes for Portland Community College, including one-on-one plant-based lifestyle sessions, and is on the video review team for Nutritionfacts.org
WEB: graciousvegan.com
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Miyoko - Award-winning Chef, Author, Entrepreneur and Speaker.
Whether you’re struggling with inflammation or just want to stay in tip-top shape, come learn how a plant-based diet can make a big difference. Linda will discuss the ways diet can calm inflammation and will demonstrate three variations of a quinoa salad from her Plant-Based Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook. The salads will feature an array of anti-inflammatory superstars—the foods that research has shown to be especially helpful with inflammation. Come taste these healthy, flavorful salads and see how delicious plant-based eating can be.
Bio
Miyoko Schinner is an award-winning chef, author, and founder of Miyoko’s Creamery, credited with bringing vegan cheese to the mainstream. An activist and "Vegan Revolutionary," she founded Rancho Compasión animal sanctuary and teaches at UC Berkeley. Miyoko has authored seven books, including the bestseller "The Homemade Vegan Pantry," and appeared in the Netflix series "You Are What You Eat." A global speaker and former PBS host, she continues to inspire food innovation from West Marin, CA.
WEB: https://www.miyokoschinner.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/miyokoschinner/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/miyokoschinner/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@thevegangoodlifewithmiyoko
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Plant Based Papi: Jewan Manuel
Whether you’re struggling with inflammation or just want to stay in tip-top shape, come learn how a plant-based diet can make a big difference. Linda will discuss the ways diet can calm inflammation and will demonstrate three variations of a quinoa salad from her Plant-Based Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook. The salads will feature an array of anti-inflammatory superstars—the foods that research has shown to be especially helpful with inflammation. Come taste these healthy, flavorful salads and see how delicious plant-based eating can be.
Bio
Linda Tyler is a Portland-based cooking instructor, cookbook author, and food photographer. Her Plant-Based Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook focuses on superstar foods that can help calm chronic inflammation. Her meal-prep guide, Cook Once, Eat Better, provides 12 weeks of healthy, balanced plant-based meals using an easy mix-and-match approach for maximum efficiency and flexibility. Linda teaches cooking classes for Portland Community College, including one-on-one plant-based lifestyle sessions, and is on the video review team
WEB: https://www.plantbasedpapi.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/itsplantbasedpapi/
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Turnip Vegan: Todd Anderson
Whether you’re struggling with inflammation or just want to stay in tip-top shape, come learn how a plant-based diet can make a big difference. Linda will discuss the ways diet can calm inflammation and will demonstrate three variations of a quinoa salad from her Plant-Based Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook. The salads will feature an array of anti-inflammatory superstars—the foods that research has shown to be especially helpful with inflammation. Come taste these healthy, flavorful salads and see how delicious plant-based eating can be.
Bio
Linda Tyler is a Portland-based cooking instructor, cookbook author, and food photographer. Her Plant-Based Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook focuses on superstar foods that can help calm chronic inflammation. Her meal-prep guide, Cook Once, Eat Better, provides 12 weeks of healthy, balanced plant-based meals using an easy mix-and-match approach for maximum efficiency and flexibility. Linda teaches cooking classes for Portland Community College, including one-on-one plant-based lifestyle sessions, and is on the video review team
WEB: https://turnipvegan.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/turnipvegan/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv8-TTZLwuwqfBPiwN2kQVQ
TURNIP RECIPE CLUB: https://www.turnipvegan.club/
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Eleni Woldeyes - Placeholder text
Placeholder text xxxxx Terri Chrisman explores how simple lifestyle changes can dramatically improve health and vitality. Using her E.N.E.R.G.Y. framework, she introduces six pillars that support long-term wellness and disease prevention.
Terri will also host a plant-based cooking demonstration featuring recipes from her book Fabulous Health: A Simple Plan to Get Well and Stay Well, along with an interactive workshop that provides practical tools for incorporating healthy habits into everyday life.
Bio
Terri Chrisman is a board-certified nutritionist and award-winning author dedicated to helping people improve their health through practical, science-based lifestyle strategies. Her work focuses on empowering individuals to prevent and reverse chronic disease through whole-food, plant-based nutrition and sustainable daily habits. Through her presentations, writing, and educational programs, Terri inspires people to take control of their health and build lasting wellness.
WEB: https://www.eleniskitchen.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/eleniskitchen.ethiopianfood/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/eleniskitchen.eleniskitchen/
Live Your Life with E.N.E.R.G.Y!
Terri Chrisman - Board-Certified Nutritionist and Author
In this engaging keynote, Terri Chrisman explores how simple lifestyle changes can dramatically improve health and vitality. Using her E.N.E.R.G.Y. framework, she introduces six pillars that support long-term wellness and disease prevention.
Terri will also host a plant-based cooking demonstration featuring recipes from her book Fabulous Health: A Simple Plan to Get Well and Stay Well, along with an interactive workshop that provides practical tools for incorporating healthy habits into everyday life.
Bio
Terri Chrisman is a board-certified nutritionist and award-winning author dedicated to helping people improve their health through practical, science-based lifestyle strategies. Her work focuses on empowering individuals to prevent and reverse chronic disease through whole-food, plant-based nutrition and sustainable daily habits. Through her presentations, writing, and educational programs, Terri inspires people to take control of their health and build lasting wellness.
Eat Up, Slim Down = TITLE?
Chef AJ - Plant-Based Pioneer, Chef, Author & Speaker
In this engaging keynote, Terri Chrisman explores how simple lifestyle changes can dramatically improve health and vitality. Using her E.N.E.R.G.Y. framework, she introduces six pillars that support long-term wellness and disease prevention.
Terri will also host a plant-based cooking demonstration featuring recipes from her book Fabulous Health: A Simple Plan to Get Well and Stay Well, along with an interactive workshop that provides practical tools for incorporating healthy habits into everyday life.
Bio
Chef AJ has been a culinary leader for over 48 years. Former host of "Healthy Living with CHEF AJ" on Foody TV, she is a speaker and author of four bestsellers, including "The Secrets to Ultimate Weight Loss" and "Unprocessed." Previously the Executive Pastry Chef at Santé in LA, she specialized in sugar-, oil-, and salt-free desserts. Today, she hosts a thriving YouTube channel with 250,000+ subscribers, interviewing health experts and sharing recipes to inspire thousands to live healthier.
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbyCJY7AC4k&t=276s
WEB: https://chefaj.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/therealchefaj/
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Dr. Alan Goldhamer - Founder, TrueNorth Health Center
In this engaging keynote, Terri Chrisman explores how simple lifestyle changes can dramatically improve health and vitality. Using her E.N.E.R.G.Y. framework, she introduces six pillars that support long-term wellness and disease prevention.
Terri will also host a plant-based cooking demonstration featuring recipes from her book Fabulous Health: A Simple Plan to Get Well and Stay Well, along with an interactive workshop that provides practical tools for incorporating healthy habits into everyday life.
Bio
Dr. Alan Goldhamer is the founder of TrueNorth Health Center, where he has supervised water-only fasting for over 25,000 patients since 1984. A leading expert in therapeutic fasting, he directs a multidisciplinary team treating conditions from hypertension to autoimmune disorders. He is the author of The Health Promoting Cookbook and co-author of The Pleasure Trap. Dr. Goldhamer has published numerous peer-reviewed studies and lectures globally on restoring health through diet and fasting.
WEB: https://www.healthpromoting.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/therealchefaj/
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Matt Ruscigno - MPH, RD, and Expert in Sports Nutrition
In this engaging keynote, Terri Chrisman explores how simple lifestyle changes can dramatically improve health and vitality. Using her E.N.E.R.G.Y. framework, she introduces six pillars that support long-term wellness and disease prevention.
Terri will also host a plant-based cooking demonstration featuring recipes from her book Fabulous Health: A Simple Plan to Get Well and Stay Well, along with an interactive workshop that provides practical tools for incorporating healthy habits into everyday life.
Bio
Matt Ruscigno, MPH, RD, is a sports nutrition expert and author of five books, including No Meat Athlete. A leading voice in the field, he is a past chair of the Vegetarian Nutrition Group and a founding board member of the P-POD Conference. An elite ultra-cyclist, Matt has finished the 508-mile Furnace Creek race three times. He advocates for a realistic, science-based approach to nutrition, proving that plant-based athletes can compete at the highest levels without exaggerating health claims.
WEB: https://mattruscigno.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/mattruscigno/
NEED TITLE
Chuck Underwood - MPH, RD, and Expert in Sports Nutrition
In this engaging keynote, Terri Chrisman explores how simple lifestyle changes can dramatically improve health and vitality. Using her E.N.E.R.G.Y. framework, she introduces six pillars that support long-term wellness and disease prevention.
Terri will also host a plant-based cooking demonstration featuring recipes from her book Fabulous Health: A Simple Plan to Get Well and Stay Well, along with an interactive workshop that provides practical tools for incorporating healthy habits into everyday life.
Bio
Chuck Underwood is a plant-based influencer and an avid vegan cook, blogger, author, and YouTuber. Chuck began experimenting with plant-based cooking in 2008 and is a graduate of T. Colin Campbell’s Plant-Based Nutrition Course. Brand New Vegan is unique in that it focuses on helping people make the transition easier by providing comfort-food recipes people already know and love. Chuck currently lives in the suburbs of Portland, OR.
WEB: https://www.brandnewvegan.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/brandnewvegan/
PODCAST: https://bnvpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
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Kip Andersen - founder of A.U.M. Films and Media
In this engaging keynote, Terri Chrisman explores how simple lifestyle changes can dramatically improve health and vitality. Using her E.N.E.R.G.Y. framework, she introduces six pillars that support long-term wellness and disease prevention.
Terri will also host a plant-based cooking demonstration featuring recipes from her book Fabulous Health: A Simple Plan to Get Well and Stay Well, along with an interactive workshop that provides practical tools for incorporating healthy habits into everyday life.
Bio
Hailed by Time as the “conscience of the food movement,” Gene Baur is a pioneer in undercover investigations and animal rescue. Since the 1980s, his work has exposed factory farming cruelty and inspired the international farm sanctuary movement. Gene was instrumental in passing the first U.S. laws prohibiting cruel farming practices and has authored two bestsellers. He holds degrees from CSU Northridge and Cornell, dedicated to promoting a just and compassionate food system.
WEB: https://www.aumfilms.org/films-1 INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/kipandersen/
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Gene Baur - President and Co-founder of Farm Sanctuary
In this engaging keynote, Terri Chrisman explores how simple lifestyle changes can dramatically improve health and vitality. Using her E.N.E.R.G.Y. framework, she introduces six pillars that support long-term wellness and disease prevention.
Terri will also host a plant-based cooking demonstration featuring recipes from her book Fabulous Health: A Simple Plan to Get Well and Stay Well, along with an interactive workshop that provides practical tools for incorporating healthy habits into everyday life.
Bio
Hailed by Time as the “conscience of the food movement,” Gene Baur is a pioneer in undercover investigations and animal rescue. Since the 1980s, his work has exposed factory farming cruelty and inspired the international farm sanctuary movement. Gene was instrumental in passing the first U.S. laws prohibiting cruel farming practices and has authored two bestsellers. He holds degrees from CSU Northridge and Cornell, dedicated to promoting a just and compassionate food system.
WEB: https://www.farmsanctuary.org/about-us/gene-baur/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/genebaur/
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Ashley Castellanos - Vegan Ventures
In this engaging keynote, Terri Chrisman explores how simple lifestyle changes can dramatically improve health and vitality. Using her E.N.E.R.G.Y. framework, she introduces six pillars that support long-term wellness and disease prevention.
Terri will also host a plant-based cooking demonstration featuring recipes from her book Fabulous Health: A Simple Plan to Get Well and Stay Well, along with an interactive workshop that provides practical tools for incorporating healthy habits into everyday life.
Bio
Vegan Ventures is a multimedia platform and community connecting vegan foodies and travelers through digital media, guides, resources, partnered events, and curated international group travel experiences.
WEB: www.veganventuresofficial.com INSTAGRAM: @vegan_ventures TIKTOK: @vegan_ventures
FACEBOOK: @veganventuresofficial YOUTUBE: @veganventuresofficial
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Isaias Hernandez, aka @queerbrownvegan - Environmentalist, Educator and Writer
In this engaging keynote, Terri Chrisman explores how simple lifestyle changes can dramatically improve health and vitality. Using her E.N.E.R.G.Y. framework, she introduces six pillars that support long-term wellness and disease prevention.
Terri will also host a plant-based cooking demonstration featuring recipes from her book Fabulous Health: A Simple Plan to Get Well and Stay Well, along with an interactive workshop that provides practical tools for incorporating healthy habits into everyday life.
Bio
Vegan Ventures is a multimedia platform and community connecting vegan foodies and travelers through digital media, guides, resources, partnered events, and curated international group travel experiences.
WEB: https://queerbrownvegan.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/queerbrownvegan/?hl=en
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@queerbrownvegan FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/queerbrownvegan/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@queerbrownvegan
How Dogs Can Thrive On A Healthy Vegan Diet
Susan Webber
In this engaging keynote, Terri Chrisman explores how simple lifestyle changes can dramatically improve health and vitality. Using her E.N.E.R.G.Y. framework, she introduces six pillars that support long-term wellness and disease prevention.
Terri will also host a plant-based cooking demonstration featuring recipes from her book Fabulous Health: A Simple Plan to Get Well and Stay Well, along with an interactive workshop that provides practical tools for incorporating healthy habits into everyday life.
Bio
Vegan Ventures is a multimedia platform and community connecting vegan foodies and travelers through digital media, guides, resources, partnered events, and curated international group travel experiences.
THE CULINARY STAGE
Watch, learn, and taste - Cooking demos
