CVPP Speakers

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2015 Guest 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 68 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.
	Dr. Terry Mason serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Cook County Department of Public Health. 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. You can listen to his radio show every Sunday from 10am to 11am Dr. Mason is a long time proponent of a plant-based diet and was featured in the widely renowned film "Forks Over Knives".
	Marisa Buchheit - Miss Chicago 2014 - is an operatic soprano, community leader, and high school music teacher. Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as a “Remarkable Woman”, Marisa has made her mark as a top emerging artist in the city and also as a prominent figure in the fashion and philanthropic events scene. Since graduating from the Cleveland Institute of Music in 2011, Marisa has performed extensively on stages worldwide. A long time vegan, she has represented the veg-community on numerous occasions as a spokesperson. She has volunteered with PETA, MFA, ChicagoVeg, and CVPP. Marisa is thrilled and honored to lead the 4th Annual Chicago Veggie Pride Parade as Grand Marshal for the 4th consecutive year!
	Mikael Nielsen serves as the National Volunteer Coordinator for Mercy For Animals and is responsible for recruiting and training activists throughout North America, assisting with the development of MFA’s effective advocacy resources, and serving as MFA’s spokesperson in the greater Chicago area. He has been veg for over 18 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.

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