New NAVS Faces – Spring 2021
In the Spring 2021 issue of Animal Action, we introduced you to three of NAVS’ newest staffers—Deputy Director Juliane Pearson, Senior Manager of Advocacy and Policy Meredith Blanchard, and Staff Research Assistant Anna Madsen. We had limited space to tell you about each of them in print—but they had a lot more to say. Here are their full stories:
JULIANE PEARSON
1. Tell us a bit about yourself: Who are you? Where have you been? What have you done up until now?
My path to NAVS might appear unconventional. My career started in publishing, first for a small publisher of computer-training materials, then for a medical association. After several years of working in editorial functions, I took on a communications and public relations role in which I helped launch the organization’s first intranet site. I then was able to move into web content and design, where I applied my skills as a designer and editor to projects in the emerging digital space. From there, I pulled it all together to lead the customer experience strategy and design function for a large health insurer before coming to NAVS in April 2020.
2. So why NAVS? What made you say “this is where I need to be”?
NAVS has a strong foundation from its 90-plus year history to build on in the years ahead. It is inspiring to have a focused mission and compelling purpose guiding our work. We have a lot of opportunities to reduce or even eliminate the use of animals in science while supporting the development and implementation of innovative, relevant, non-animal alternatives.
3. What have you been working on since joining NAVS? And what are you hoping to do in 2021?
One of the best things about my role is participating in activities across the organization, from communications to operations to program development and management. I’ve been able to help facilitate meetings with outside experts in support of our nonhuman primate research efforts and lead the BioLEAP 2.0 project. I also supported our successful move to a new location in March. Looking ahead to the rest of 2021, I’m excited about our advocacy strategy and reaching out to new partners to advance our goals.
4. What’s your favorite thing (so far) about working for NAVS?
My favorite thing has been getting to know and work with everyone on staff. Everyone was welcoming upon my virtual arrival last year, and they’ve continued to be willing and enthusiastic collaborators to our efforts. I only wish we weren’t all working remotely every day!
5. What’s one random/fun fact about you that might surprise people?
I am a pretty much an open book – I can’t think of anything that would surprise people about me.
6. What do you do outside of NAVS? (Favorite books, music, movies, sports, hobbies, etc.)
I love reading books of all kinds, from classics to new releases, nonfiction and fiction, educational and entertaining. The Harry Potter series is a particular favorite. I reluctantly took up running 10 years ago; since then I’ve completed one full marathon (with #2 planned for early April 2021), 12 half marathons and countless 5 and 10 K races. What started as torture has become something I really enjoy. I’m also an enthusiastic bicyclist, especially when I can participate in group rides to local breweries.
7. What else should we know—about you, your work, your hopes and dreams, etc.?
I hope that we can help eliminate dissection in science classrooms in favor of humane alternatives in the coming years, thereby inspiring new generations of scientists to do research without harming animals. I hope we can work with federal agencies to direct more grant money to research developing or using non-animal alternatives.
On a personal level, I want to explore more of the United States by bicycle. I’d love to do extended rides in different parts of the country.
MEREDITH BLANCHARD
1. Tell us a bit about yourself: Who are you? Where have you been? What have you done up until now?
I am a proud Colorado native who has spent the majority of her career in the pursuit of a kinder, more humane world for animals. I knew from a very young age that I viewed animals differently than many of my peers but it wasn’t until I made the decision to study Zoology in college that I really took steps towards dedicating my life to them.
With no idea of what a Zoology degree could offer me career wise, I ended up scooping poop at my local animal shelter upon graduating college, much to my parents dismay. It took me some time to find my path, a path that led me to call six different states home at various points and guided me through Grad school at Tufts University to achieve a M.S. in Animals and Public Policy, but I can finally say I found my calling – advocating for animals at all levels of government.
Prior to coming to NAVS I was part of the policy team on the Stop Puppy Mills campaign at the Humane Society of the United States where I worked primarily to end the sale of puppies in pet stores. Before that I completed a summer internship with the Animal Welfare Institute where I lobbied federal lawmakers on issues primarily pertaining to wildlife and the Endangered Species Act. Proud to say that my breadth of knowledge of animal welfare issues is vast and always growing 😊
2. So why NAVS? What made you say “this is where I need to be”?
I was initially intrigued by the opportunity to work for NAVS because it provided the chance to advocate for both animals and for better science. With a B.S. and an M.S. I have a very strong appreciation for science, an appreciation that comes second only to my immense appreciation of animals. That said, I was dismayed to learn that we still use animals in biomedical research even when non-animal models that are better predictors for humans exist. While it is an inexcusable injustice to animals, using animal models when there are better alternatives available is a huge disservice to humanity as well, in my opinion.
Joining NAVS also gives me a feeling of coming full circle – I think my high school self who sobbed openly in psychology class while learning about the Silver Springs monkey experiments would be very proud of the work I am doing today.
3. What have you been working on since joining NAVS? And what are you hoping to do in 2021?
I joined NAVS with a fairly shallow understanding of what the issue of “animals in research” really encompassed so I started by initially just digging into the issue to get a better understanding of the breadth and depth of the topic. In recent months I have been working on a legislative roadmap for the organization, zoning in on initiatives that address our core mission and gaining a greater understanding of the legislative roadblocks that exist and various policy options.
4. What’s your favorite thing (so far) about working for NAVS?
I think my favorite thing so far has been the dynamic between my NAVS coworkers. We have a healthy balance of newcomers that bring fresh perspectives and ideas, and people who have been with the organization for a while and provide a wealth of knowledge and experience. I really appreciate the open conversations that I have had with colleagues and am really excited to see what the future holds for our organization and my new position.
5. What’s one random/fun fact about you that might surprise people?
I do the Universal Crossword every day, (NYT Crossword is WAY out of my league).
6. What do you do outside of NAVS? (Favorite books, music, movies, sports, hobbies, etc.)
Outside of NAVS I love to hike around the Rockies, read historical fiction, do jigsaw puzzles, and above all else I love to scuba dive. I am most peaceful and centered 80 ft below the waves 😊
7. What else should we know—about you, your work, your hopes and dreams, etc.?
I think my dreams are pretty simple – at the end of my career I want to be able to look back and say that I did all I could to ensure a better life for animals on our planet.
ANNA MADSEN
1. Tell us a bit about yourself: Who are you? Where have you been? What have you done up until now?
My name is Anna Madsen, I am the staff research assistant here at NAVS. I graduated from the University of British Columbia in May 2020 with as BS in biology. While I was at University I worked for two different non-profits, conducting research on perverse economic policy supporting unsustainable fishing for one, and studying the behavior of northern resident killer whales in the field for the other.
2. So why NAVS? What made you say “this is where I need to be”?
I was introduced to NAVS’ work as a kid when a family friend heard how passionate I was about protecting animals. Then, in University, I took a series of great courses with the animal welfare department that really opened my mind about pursuing a job in animal advocacy. Once I moved back to Chicago this past spring, it seemed only natural to see if NAVS had a position for me!
3. What have you been working on since joining NAVS? And what are you hoping to do in 2021?
The biggest project I’ve worked on since joining NAVS has been accumulating content for our new and improved BioLEAP site, a resource connecting ethically minded individuals to humane dissection alternatives. I’m excited to see this project to completion and the site launched this year!
4. What’s your favorite thing (so far) about working for NAVS?
It’s very comforting to work with other deeply empathetic people who want to dedicate their time to improving the world.
5. What’s one random/fun fact about you that might surprise people?
I did a LOT of musical theatre in school. They always cast me as the Crazy Old Lady.
6. What do you do outside of NAVS? (Favorite books, music, movies, sports, hobbies, etc.)
Outside of NAVS my life mostly revolves around keeping my beloved puppy Cora entertained. I’m also an avid reader, my current fixation is Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere.
7. What else should we know—about you, your work, your hopes and dreams, etc.? Aside from animal welfare, my other great passion is conservation. I love when my work in those two fields overlap and I hope my future career will include a healthy serving of both!