About Us
"We envision a harmonious world in which every living being is treated with compassion"
"Our mission is to inspire and empower individuals to make compassionate choices that benefit people, animals, and the planet. We also aim to support those who work to defend and protect the rights of animals. Together, we can build a harmonious world in which all beings are treated with respect and care.”
ACW Pillars
Enlighten
individuals to make healthier, kinder, and sustainable choices for a compassionate world.
Enable
animal welfare and rescues through global grassroots-level partner organizations.
Empower
artisans facing socio-economic challenges to sustain themselves and their families.
Our Story
We are a team of passionate activists who started on this journey with the realization that there is an urgent need to make it easier to lead a compassionate, sustainable, and healthy lifestyle. We seek to share knowledge about cruelty-free, feasible alternatives that are better for animals, people, and the planet at large. Understanding the financial struggles that animal rescuers face, we have also made this platform a means to raise funds for animal welfare organizations working at the grassroots level. The funds raised are through donations and the sale of unique handicraft items primarily sourced from India, providing sustenance to underprivileged individuals. Our goal is to forge a path towards making this world a more harmonious and thriving one.
Meet The Team
Dr. Seema Vaid
Founder and President
I am a mom and an IT professional, passionate about animal activism and sustainability. The story of a captive elephant exposed me to cruelty towards animals and was the catalyst that inspired me to start this journey. I became vegan and have extensively supported various organizations that work to end animal cruelty. The vision for 'A Compassionate World' came about when I experienced challenges in finding information related to leading a cruelty-free and sustainable lifestyle. I also felt the need to create a common platform that could bring people together to support those who work at the grassroots level for animals and for the planet. I was fortunate to connect with like-minded folks and together we launched this non-profit. I look forward to truly making a difference!
Shivakshi Gupta
Co-founder, Vice President & Secretary
I am an engineer and scientist in the area of Tissue Engineering. I co-founded a non profit that rescues animals in distress in India prior to moving to the US. Currently, my key focus area is using science for a kinder world. I aspire to build an efficient in-vitro product to completely replace animal testing. I also have an Instagram and a Facebook page, @veganchefkiwi, which I use for sharing amazing vegan recipes to inspire people to opt for plant-based food that is good for animals, health, and the planet.
Suchitra Thapliyal
Co-founder, Vice President & Treasurer
I have lived in the US for the past 18 years and have worked as a Special Education teacher for more than a decade. I am an active animal rights activist, environmentalist, and a vegan for the past 8 years. I am also mom to a rescued 11-year-old black cat, Midnight. Excited to be part of this amazing team and look forward to making an impact!
Sumitra Narayanan
Director of Communications
A Customer Success leader by profession and a recent dog mom, I'm passionate about a plant-based lifestyle which I initially adopted for health reasons, but stayed with for animals and the environment. As a child, I couldn't understand why animals were exploited for food, clothing, and more — and still don’t, so that sparked my interest in taking action. Through research (I also earned my Nutrition Certificate from Cornell in 2021), I learned that becoming vegan benefits not just health and animals, but the planet as well. I'm excited to contribute to our small but impactful team, applying my love for writing and communication to drive impact.
Meet The Volunteers
Haritha Krishnarathnam
Content & Events
A content curator, storyteller, and corporate communications leader by profession, I am passionate about driving meaningful change – particularly in social impact issues affecting underprivileged and minority populations. My commitment to fostering a healthier, kinder, and more equitable world led me to volunteer with ACW. As a former athlete, health and fitness remain an integral part of my life.
I enjoy creating delicious plant-based meals that nourish my body and mind. Now, as a parent of two toddlers, I continue to explore creative plant-based recipes for them while instilling important values such as leading life with compassion and kindness towards all living beings.
I look forward to collaborating with the ACW team to expand my knowledge on sustainable and cruelty-free living!
Katt Flamenco
Grant Research & Applications
From on-the-ground campaigns to vegan outreach, it is my mission to help animals in any way I can. My advocacy is fueled by compassion - I meet people where they are, understanding that compassion for animals means having compassion for people, too. I'm excited to be a part of the ACW team and hope to increase my impact for animals!
I have two cats and one dog (Enoki, Sushi, and Shadow) - they are such pure, energetic beings. Outside of my advocacy work, I enjoy yoga, pilates, hiking, cooking, and reading.
Kevin Kerin
Website Design
I’m Kevin! By day I’m a software developer, and I’m excited to put those skills to work for the animals by building tools and digital solutions that help advocates reach more people and make every conversation count. I believe the most powerful advocacy starts with genuine connection, meeting people where they are and inviting them to see animals as the individuals they are. I’m thrilled to join the ACW team remotely and can’t wait to help amplify our impact!
I share my home in Melbourne, Australia with my partner and our two cats, who keep us both humble and busy. Originally from Kerry, Ireland, I love traditional Irish music, play piano, and you’ll often find me watching live sport (be it GAA, rugby, tennis or snooker).
Our Partner Rescue Organizations
