Julie Knopp—President
Julie Knopp has worked at the intersection of communications, education, and nonprofit leadership for more than a decade. By day, Julie serves as Director of Communications for Friends of San Lucas, a fundraising non-profit that supports a Guatemalan partner organization working to increase access to education, healthcare, and housing. In her spare time, Julie advocates for animals. Julie’s writing on animal issues has appeared in New York Daily News, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Madison Capital Times, and other news media. Julie holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and lives in St. Paul, Minnesota. Julie has volunteered with CAA since 2015.
Learn more about Julie | Contact Julie
Julie Reiter—Incoming President
Julie Reiter has been involved in education and nonprofit work for over 15 years. She currently serves as the director of a program focused on nonprofits and volunteerism for students at the University of St. Thomas. For her own activism, she was drawn to CAA because of its positive and inclusive approach to supporting folks on their journey toward plant-based eating. She started volunteering with CAA through the Vegan Chef Challenge, and joined the board in 2022.
Learn more about Julie | Contact Julie
Dyne Stephenson—Secretary
Dyne Stephenson has been an educator, animal advocate, and vegan, for over 25 years. Since 2016, he has been a volunteer in many different CAA roles, including coordinator positions for the CAA Banquet and Twin Cities Veg Fest. Additionally, he has attended and volunteered at Vegan Chili Cook Offs, Dine-Outs, potlucks, film screenings, and other events. We welcome him into his new role as our latest board member.
Learn more about Dyne | Contact Dyne
Stephanie Paquin—Treasurer
Stephanie Paquin has lived in the Twin Cities for the past 20 years, working in public accounting as a CPA and now as the Chief Financial Officer for a local wholesale distribution company. She became vegan in January 2017 and started volunteering with CAA in the summer of 2020. She is also a musician in several different Twin Cities bands.
Learn more about Stephanie | Contact Stephanie
Lydia Green
Newest board member Lydia Green comes to CAA with great new ideas for fundraising, community outreach, and education. As a CAA volunteer since 2018, Lydia has worked on Twin Cities Veg Fest and, most recently, helped at the CAA booth during the Pride Festival.
Based on volunteer experience with other local animal advocacy groups, she feels strongly about the benefits of collaborative work. Through activities like field trips to animal sanctuaries, Lydia hopes to work with youth education to create personal connections. Lydia has the goal of helping more people see the need to change their beliefs and habits to promote plant-based lifestyles. A personal goal for Lydia is to build a micro sanctuary focusing on rescued goats.
Learn more about Lydia | Contact Lydia
Chris Homsey
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
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
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.