2025 Guest Speakers

Reya Andrews is a PhD Candidate in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and a Visiting Assistant Professor of Nutrition & Dietetics at Eastern Kentucky University. With over two decades of experience in nutrition science, holistic health, and sustainable food systems, Reya’s work centers on the therapeutic power of food—exploring how whole-food, plant-based nutrition can prevent, manage, and even reverse chronic disease.

At Louisville VegFest, Reya will share insights on using food as medicine, busting common nutrition myths, and bridging the gap between evidence and clinical practice. Her extensive background includes leading a CDC-funded research initiative, founding a nonprofit organization, creating a health education publishing business, and developing programs to make plant-based nutrition accessible to all.

Becki Streif is the co-founder and managing director of Tribe Sanctuary, a 10-acre haven just outside Louisville that provides lifelong homes to rescued cows, pigs, horses, goats, and other farmed animals - many with special needs. After watching Forks Over Knives in 2013, Becki and her husband, Greg, went vegan and began what would become a life-changing journey into animal rescue. Today, Tribe is home to dozens of incredible animals, each with their own inspiring story of resilience and hope.

Becki’s talk, “Creating Sanctuary: Saving Lives and Building Hope,” will take you behind the scenes of what it takes to turn compassion into a mission, build a sanctuary from the ground up, and give animals the second chance they deserve.

Dominick Thompson is a powerhouse voice in the vegan movement - an Ironman triathlete, social entrepreneur, and animal rights activist who has inspired hundreds of thousands through his story and his work. After making the life-changing decision to go vegetarian while incarcerated 24 years ago, he’s gone on to become a leader in the No-Meat Athlete movement, launch his wellness brand Eat What Elephants Eat, and publish a cookbook with the same title. He’s also the real-life inspiration behind the upcoming film Land of Wolves. 

Dom’s talk, “Redefining Masculinity and the Human Experience Through Veganism,” is one you won’t want to miss!

Todd Anderson, better known as @TurnipVegan, is a self-taught chef, content creator, and cookbook author who’s inspiring hundreds of thousands to see plants in a whole new way. With nearly a million Instagram followers, Todd’s laid-back, creative approach to vegan cooking has made him one of the most beloved voices in the plant-based space. After watching a life-changing documentary, Todd transitioned to a vegan lifestyle and hasn’t looked back. Now based in Joshua Tree, he’s busy creating vibrant, flavorful vegan recipes and even building his dream greenhouse in the desert - all while showing the world just how delicious plants can be.

Catch Todd live at Louisville VegFest as he takes the stage for a cooking demonstration you won’t want to miss! Stick around afterward to meet him in person and grab an autographed copy of his new cookbook, It’s All About Plantz & Mushroomz

Nemanja is the founder and CEO of the award-winning vegan restaurant Kale My Name and the creative force behind Kale Krew, the hit vegan travel and food show streaming on UnchainedTV. Known for his infectious energy and passion, Nemanja has become one of the most influential voices in the vegan movement, inspiring hundreds of thousands through his restaurants, media projects, and advocacy for animals. His Chicago-based restaurant Kale My Name has been crowned “America’s Vegan Restaurant of the Year” by VegOut Magazine, won VegNews’ Veggie Award for “Best Vegan Casual Restaurant,” and has earned national recognition from PETA and the Chicago Reader.

At VegFest, Nemanja will be speaking and filming an episode of Kale Krew’s new season - giving you the chance to be part of the action! He’ll also share how we can harness the power of social media to create meaningful change, from raising awareness and sparking conversations to inspiring action and helping build a more compassionate world.