Nathan Gaut 
Nathan Gaut moved to the Twin Cities in 2016 from San Diego to pursue a PhD in biochemistry at the University of Minnesota. He was a member of the 2017 Twin Cities Veg Fest planning committee as the exhibitor logistics coordinator and is now becoming more involved with the University student group. Nathan joined the board in October of 2017.
Learn more about Nathan | Contact Nathan
Chris Homsey – Treasurer
Chris Homsey has volunteered for CAA as a member of the Twin Cities Veg Fest planning committee, having coordinated both cooking demos and speakers. She is a food scientist by profession and has worked in the areas of sensory science, consumer research, and product development. Chris joined the board in December of 2016.
Learn more about Chris | Contact Chris
Julie Knopp
Julie Knopp has spent the past decade working in education and social justice. She currently serves as the Director of Communications & Special Events for Friends of San Lucas, a non-profit that supports education, healthcare, and infrastructure development in Guatemala. A CAA volunteer since 2015, Julie joined the board in April of 2019.
Learn more about Julie | Contact Julie
Victor Massaglia – President
Victor Massaglia is an advocate for human rights and animal rights and believes in the power of compassion to make positive change. He has been working in higher education for over 25 years and is currently the Director of the Career and Professional Development Center at the School Public Health at the University of Minnesota. Victor joined the board in April of 2018.
Learn more about Victor | Contact Victor
Henry Patterson
Henry Patterson has volunteered with CAA since 2017 most recently as a member of the Vegan Thanksgiving Potluck planning committee, coordinating social media for the event. He is a project manager and manufacturing consultant by profession and works in the areas of operations and manufacturing process improvement. Henry joined the CAA board in January of 2019.
Learn more about Henry | Contact Henry
Lucia Skinner De Gregorgio
Lucia Skinner De Gregorgio is a passionate advocate for the animals and social justice. She currently works for Sociable Cider Werks and also sits on the board of the Minnesota Women’s Consortium focusing on outreach and strategy. A volunteer with Spring Farm Sanctuary since the beginning of 2018, Lucia joined the CAA board in October of 2018.
Learn more about Lucia | Contact Lucia
Mitch Thompson
Mitch Thompson has volunteered for CAA as a member of the 2018 Twin Cities Veg Fest planning committee, co-coordinating the After-Party and coordinating all technology logistics and equipment. He works in the Twin Cities video production industry managing equipment rentals and is the drummer and manager for an internationally known local ska band. Mitch joined the board in December of 2018.
Learn more about Mitch | Contact Mitch
Theresa Zingery – Secretary
Theresa Zingery is the director of the Adult Academic Program of Robbinsdale Area Schools and has extensive board experience. After thirty years as a vegetarian, she became a vegan in January 2015 and has volunteered for CAA in a number of capacities, with a focus on pay-per-view and virtual reality outreach. Theresa joined the board in October of 2017.
Learn more about Theresa | Contact Theresa
Joining the Board
If you’re interested in joining the board, please read the letter to prospective board members and board member responsibilities. Also, familiarize yourself with the CAA core values and bylaws.
Prospective board members must attend and participate in at least one board meeting before being considered for board membership. After that, the board will ask you to fill out the questionnaire for prospective members.
If you are interested in attending a board meeting, email info@exploreveg.org to find out when the next board meeting will take place.