Founder and CEO, Amy Quichiz

Hi everyone, my name is Amy Quichiz I am Colombian and Peruvian living in Jackson Heights, Queens NY. I have been vegetarian and then transitioned into veganism for about five years.

I believe that my role as a plant-based vegan Latina is to show our communities ways to have accessible healthier food options, talk about our rights within the food industry, just as well as animal liberation and environmental justice. As a woman of color coming from Jackson Heights, I have witnessed the environmental racism that happens within our communities due to the lack of resources that folks have and what this government will hide from us. 

Instagram: @amyquichiz

Estefania Orozco, Operations Manager & Coordinator

Hola! My name is Estefania Orozco and my pronouns are she/her. I am originally from Colombia and have lived in Philadelphia since the age of 7. I’ve been vegetarian for about 7 years and decided to do so for health reasons but also because of the environmental impact and animal abuse crisis caused by the food industry, to name a few. Since discovering Veggie Mijas, I have been constantly learning and actively trying my best to take the next step in veganism. 

I believe in the power of community and how important it is, especially for a lifestyle that might seem intimidating or unattainable to some. With Veggie Mijas I hope to help my community by providing resources and by making information as accessible as possible so that everyone knows that they have the right to choose what’s best for them. My goal is to help empower our intersecting communities to make the best choices for their health, and to unlearn any beliefs that a plant-based and healthy lifestyle is only meant for wealthy white people. I really look forward to doing this necessary work!

IG: @down.for.earth

Estefania coordinates:

Philly Chapter

New York City Chapter

Book Club

Rebeca Cintrón-Loáisiga, Education Director

¡Hola! My name is Rebeca Cintrón-Loáisiga, a Boricua born and raised in the city of Camden, New Jersey. I’m an anti-colonial culture and history educator, with a passion for our Latine communities and the many ways we uplift ourselves through our collective decolonization. I have been plant-based since 2011, a journey that has led me to re-evaluate my wellbeing as a Latina. My health (physical, mental, and spiritual) has become an ever-evolving process, where I have embraced the challenges of understanding the institutionalized inequalities we face. As the Education Director & Community Organizer for Veggie Mijas, I hope to build a community where BIPoC floxs can come together, connect, and unify for a common cause...feeding our souls

Madelline Abrego, Organizer

Hey y'all/todes, My name is Madelline Abrego and my pronouns are she/her. I was born and raised in El Salvador, I migrated to California roughly about 10 years ago and I currently reside in Inglewood. I started my vegan journey back in 2015 after trying to live a more conscious lifestyle that advocates for social justice through food. I am tech savvy/artist/environmentalist and I am deeply passionate about creating an intersectional and radical future with a focus on uplifting BIPOC voices. It is very important for me to do actions that reflect the world I want to live in and being part of Veggie Mijas is allowing me to do that while being deeply rooted within social justice. I truly believe that everything is connected, within these relationships I’ve learned to envision and practice a future that protects people, planet and animals. As part of the Veggie Mijas Team, my focus is to nurture safe spaces for the community where anyone can practice joy while simultaneously creating access for the tools needed to grow their own food, explore their artistic side, and  being in green spaces as a way to reconnect, heal and find ways in which we can take care of the earth, the animals, ourselves, and beyond.

- Madelline

Instagram: @madellinehwt

Aronya Waller, Writer

Hi! My name is Aronya Waller, and I’m from Philadelphia, PA. I identify as a Black woman raised in a diverse mix of cultures, including French Creole and Jamaican. I love traveling, and my goal is to travel to at least one new country every year. I’m a book nerd, and I love learning about black and brown history
not taught in school. 

I originally became plant-based due to health reasons. As I learned more through research and Veggie Mijas, I transitioned to living a vegan lifestyle focused on holistic wellness. I’m passionate about food justice in Philadelphia, as well as for all BIPOC communities. 

I may have a disability that prevents me from going to marches and protests, but the pen is my sword. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to be a writer for Veggie Mijas. I enjoy writing about injustices and advocacy. I also want to paint over the mainstream veganism canvas. Each time I share the stories of our communities and cultures, I hope to add a new stroke to show the diversity of veganism.

Instagram: @herownbeat

Christian Galindo, Organizer, Coordinator

Hola fam! I’m a first generation Mexican & Guatemalan, vegan queer femme (she/her/hers). I was born and raised in Los Angeles (213, what’s goodie?!), but currently reside in Oakland. Growing up, I was privileged enough to be a part of non-profit dance organization, which gave children in the community access to world-class dance training at affordable cost. Throughout my dance career, my relationship with food was tumultuous; my mother loved to cook decadent traditional foods, but dance brought on the pressure of keeping a certain body type. In all this, I was always intrigued by the artistry and love that can go behind developing a delicious, handmade meal. After training with master artists and teaching youth in the community, I decided to pursue my curiosity for food by working my way through the restaurant industry. There, I witnessed a huge lack in environmental consciousness, which lead me to question my own food and environmental decisions. I’ve been vegan for three years, and now enjoy taking the culinary skills I learned as a chef to veganise recipes for my partner and I, daily.

Through Veggie Mijas, I hope to help build community awareness and facilitate space for QTPOC in the area looking to learn about animal liberation and food justice, as well as help support folks on their plant-based journey by exploring ways to make veganism accessible for all. I’m so hyped to share my love and knowledge of plant-based food (both healthy and indulgent) with this collective.

Instagram: @chrissygalindoo

Gloria Gonzalez-Zapata, Organizer

My name is Gloria Gonzalez-Zapata, I am Mexican and Panamanian. I was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. 

Growing up I wanted to be vegetarian after witnessing a pig get slaughtered at the age of 10, but I never knew what to eat, being so young I had no other choice but to follow my family's diet. Fast forward to college, I became more independent, I was slowly transitioning to a plant based diet but came across the same issue as I did before, I knew that my diet of rice and beans, PB&J, and tangerines was not sustainable nor healthy.  I followed Veggie Mijas to learn about plant based meals and appreciated their focus on the community work. 

I am a true believer that what you eat affects your health, with the ever growing gentrification and food deserts in vulnerable communities in Seattle, I believe now more than ever it's important to share resources and recipes that will strengthen our communities. 

Instagram: @g3tz_divine

Ucha Abbah, Organizer

Hey y'all, my name is Ucha, my pronouns are she/her/hers, and I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. I decided about 12 years ago to become a vegetarian because I was concerned about animal welfare. Over time I learned more about the relationship between food, capitalism, white supremacy, environmental justice, climate justice, immigration, spirituality, and morality which deepened my understanding of being plant-based. When I was an undergraduate getting bachelor's degrees in Environmental Studies and Human Rights, with a minor in Ethics, I spent time volunteering at community gardens and organizing my greek council to volunteer at community gardens in Dallas. I have always gravitated towards growing food and all of the conversations surrounding it, so I am thrilled to be part of Veggie Mijas. After graduating from undergrad in 2017, I completed a master's degree from UVA in urban and environmental planning in 2019. The degree helped me to begin understanding the structural issues that lead to so many inequities. I am excited to learn how to support the communities here in Austin as they build power, exchange resources, and heal.

Mónica Divane, Organizer

I am Mayan & Latinx and have been vegan for 19 years. It’s been a struggle to find a community where I fit in, being a queer Pagan vegan Latina. Finding out about Veggie Mijas has been like someone letting in the light. I’m honored to be able to lead a chapter in Central Florida and create a safe space for those of us who are trying to decolonize our food and way of living. I’m excited to create a community where we can connect with each other through food & culture. 

Instagram: @the_mer_witch