Thank you to our 2024 Presenters!
PRESENTATIONS/FILMS
10:30 – 11:20 am: Dr. Cogen Bohanec, Vegan As a Spiritual Practice: What Do the Dharma Traditions Say About Non-Violence
11:30 – 12:20 pm: Mohan Gurunathan, The Earth On Our Plate: Dietary Shift To Save the Planet
12:30 – 1:20 pm: Sid Garza-Hillman, One Answer to Rule Them All
1:30 – 3:00 pm: International Vegan Film Festival: Short, Award-Winning Films About Animals and Our Planet
DETAILS BELOW
10:30 – 11:20 am
Dr. Cogen Bohanec
Vegan as a Spiritual Practice: What Do the Dharma Traditions Say About Non-Violence
Vegan as a Spiritual Practice: What do the Dharma Traditions Say About Non-Violence
Cogen Bohanec has spent two decades studying, practicing and teaching a variety of Eastern Religions (Yoga, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism). He has his PhD in religious studies with an emphasis on Hinduism and Ethics and holds a Master’s Degree in Buddhist Studies from the Institute of Buddhist Studies (IBS). He currently teaches Jain Dharma and Philosophy at Arihanta Institute and Sanskrit at Claremont School of Theology. He has collaborated with wife Hope Bohanec for twenty years in the Animal Advocacy Movement.
11:30 am – 12:20 pm
Mohan Gurunathan
The Earth On Our Plate: Dietary Shift To Save The Planet
The global consequences of humanity’s food choices are enormous. In this presentation, we will explore the connections between our daily food choices and climate change, deforestation, species extinction, water scarcity, air and water pollution, world hunger, human health, and other environmental and social issues. You’ll learn how dietary changes, adopted on a large scale, are an essential step to solving some of humanity’s greatest challenges, and critical to preserving the planet for future generations.
Mohan Gurunathan is an engineer, entrepreneur, and activist who has lived and worked in Silicon Valley for over 20 years. He is a popular Bay Area speaker on the topic of the environmental impacts of our individual diet choices. Mohan played a leading role in convincing the City of Mountain View to include plant-based diet promotion as a part of their 2019 Environmental Sustainability Plan. He also serves as an advisor and/or board member for numerous environmental and animal advocacy nonprofits. Mohan earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from M.I.T. and runs a small engineering consulting business.
12:30 – 1:20 pm
Sid Garza-Hillman
One Answer to Rule Them All:
Real Life Skills To Successfully Navigate a Non-Vegan World
If there’s one thing for sure vegans receive unwanted criticism and attacks, even from family and friends. Without saying a word, vegans are approached and interrogated about what they’re eating, why, and where they get their protein. In this ultra-important talk, Sid Garza-Hillman, author/philosopher/nutritionist, tackles the challenges of being vegan, and how to handle these interrogations with One Answer to Rule them All. While lectures on protein, heart disease and cancer are essential, this fun, humorous presentation will equip your attendees with real-life skills to successfully negotiate a non-vegan world. Sid has spoken across the U.S. and inspired vegans and non-vegans alike to become an example of happiness, health, strength, and humor.
Sid Garza-Hillman is the author of four published works: Approaching the Natural: A Health Manifesto, Raising Healthy Parents: Small Steps, Less Stress, and a Thriving Family, Six Truths: Live by these truths and be happy. Don’t and you won’t, and Ultrarunning for Normal People: Life Lessons Learned On and Off the Trail. He holds a BA in Philosophy from UCLA, is a public speaker, podcaster (What Sid Thinks Podcast), certified nutritionist & running coach, Oxygen Advantage breathing instructor, and founder of Small Steppers (stress management / habit change coaching program) He is the Stanford Inn & Resort’s Wellness Programs Director and Race Director of the Mendocino Coast 50K trail ultramarathon.
smallstepintensive.com | smallsteppers.com
1:30 – 3:00 pm
International Vegan Film Festival
Join us in watching a series of short, award-winning films about our planet, the animals, and our future. These powerful films elevate activism to an art form and empower positive change. This cinematic journey will leave you feeling empowered, inspired, and hopeful about the future we can all create together. The films selected avoid overly graphic content and focus on storytelling that enlightens and
motivates. We hope you enjoy the experience, and may it spark meaningful conversations and
actions towards a more compassionate and sustainable world!
www.theIVFF.com
