CVPP Speakers

			Karyn Calabrese is owner to the popular Chicago restaurants Karyn’s Cooked, Karyn’s On Green, and Karyn’s Raw, the longest standing raw foods restaurant in the country. Karyn also owns a holistic healing center, fresh market, juice bar, and her own line of natural makeup and skincare products. At 65 years old, Karyn looks nearly a generation younger without the help of surgery or botox. She attributes her vitality and success of her five businesses to her 100% raw diet and detoxification program which she teaches every other month. Learn more about Karyn at www.karynraw.com.

			Dr. Terry Mason serves as Chief Medical Officer at Cook County Health and Hospitals System. In addition to his important work responsibilities, Dr. Mason is actively involved in serving his community in his free time. He has hosted Doctor in the House, a health-oriented talk show on the Chicago radio station WVON for nearly 20 years. Dr. Mason is a long time proponent of a plant-based diet and was recently featured in the widely renowned film "Forks Over Knives".

			Marla Rose is a writer and journalist as well as an activist. After leaving her job in humane education, she and her husband started the website Vegan Street in 1998 and they co-founded EarthSave Chicago in 1999. She is also the co-founder of our region's largest vegan festival, Chicago VeganMania, and the Chicago Vegan Family Network. She recently wrote her first novel, The Adventures of Vivian Sharpe, Vegan Superhero. Learn more about Marla at www.marlarose.com.

			Mikael Nielsen has been veg for over 16 years and active in animal protection since 2002. He has worked with a variety of groups to promote veganism and educate the public about the benefits of a plant-based diet, including Chicago VeganMania and Chicago Veggie Pride Parade. Mikael recently accepted a position as the Chicago Campaign Coordinator for Mercy For Animals, where he manages Chicago area campaigns, including humane education programs, public outreach events, fundraising, and coordinating interns & volunteers.

			Green Kitchen Economist, Laura Bruzas, founded Healthy Dining Chicago in 2003 to promote informed food choices that foster personal wellness, conservation and animal compassion. The grass-roots, volunteer-driven, veg-friendly effort focuses on spreading the message that good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle are the cornerstones of a good life and paramount to disease prevention and management.

			Marisa Buchheit, Miss Chicago 2012, is a long time vegan hailing from Chicago. She is currently pursuing a career as a professional opera soprano, and can be seen performing with the American Chamber Opera Company. This summer, on June 30th, Marisa will be competing in the Miss Illinois pageant in hopes of making it to Miss America in 2013. Aside from music and pageants, Marisa is a fitness and health enthusiast. She is proud to be a part of Chicago's thriving vegan community, and is thrilled to be the Parade Marshal for the first ever Chicago Veggie Pride Parade! Learn more about Marisa at www.MariSings.com

The order of the presentations at the event is not necessary reflected by order on the page.