Rachel Smith
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Rachel holds a MSc in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law from the University of Winchester, during which she undertook her dissertation project on Freedom of Information Legislation and Animal Research.
Rachel has been committed to various animal welfare causes since a young age. During her career has worked for NGOs in the animal welfare and conservation fields, in Europe, Asia and Australia, as well as employment in the community sector for local, state and federal Government.
Dr Dana Kolsky
MARKETING OFFICER
Dana is a qualified veterinary surgeon and has been practicing small animal medicine since 2018. Patient welfare has always been at the forefront of her decision making, and it is her animal advocacy that has helped guide many pet owners through difficult or complex cases.
Prior to becoming a veterinarian she obtained degrees in Communications and in Film and Television, working thereafter in the corporate sector for various media and marketing projects. As a passionate animal rights and welfare supporter, she spent many years volunteering for animal welfare charities across the globe.
Animal experimentation is an issue of particular concern to Dana, followed by animal food industries and animal use for entertainment.
Carol Cook
OPERATIONS AND SUPPORTER ENGAGEMENT OFFICER
Carol is a qualified lawyer (UK) and certified veterinary nurse (Australia). As a veterinary nurse she worked in general practice, emergency and specialty surgery. She holds a MSc in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law from the University of Winchester, where she also received the Vice Chancellor’s Community Engagement Award, for leading the university to achieve gold accreditation in the national Hedgehog Friendly Campus campaign.
Carol has over two decades of volunteer experience for various animal welfare charities, combining her legal and veterinary nursing skills to fulfill a variety of roles, including fostering and rehabilitating sick, injured and orphaned animals, fundraising, community outreach work and administration. She currently volunteers for Mange Management Inc helping to treat mange in wombats.Â
Dr Elena Schaller
RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY OFFICER
With a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a strong commitment to effective altruism, Elena has shaped her career around the intersection of health, science, and communication to drive meaningful impact.
Elena worked as a hospital pharmacist in the U.S. for a decade before transitioning to animal advocacy and relocating to Australia. Since then, she has gained valuable experience in research writing with Faunalytics and campaigns and communications with Vegan Australia. She is keen to use her expertise to advocate for scientific progress through animal-free research.
