Dawn Mussallem, DO, DipABLM, is a double board-certified physician in Lifestyle Medicine and Integrative Medicine at Mayo Clinic, where she serves as a consultant in Hematology/Oncology. A cancer survivor and heart transplant recipient, Dr. Mussallem brings a rare blend of medical expertise and lived experience to her deeply compassionate, patient-centered approach.
Internationally recognized as a thought leader in lifestyle medicine, she has authored numerous scientific publications and delivered keynote presentations across the globe on nutrition, cancer survivorship, and women’s health. Her pioneering work emphasizes the transformative power of lifestyle—especially nutrition—in preventing disease, supporting healing, and enhancing vitality. Dr. Mussallem’s mission is to help individuals flourish through evidence-based, holistic care that ignites the sacredness of life.
Pam Popper is an internationally recognized expert on nutrition, medicine and health; and the founder and Executive Director of Wellness Forum Health. The company provides educational programs, extensive libraries of videos and articles, diet and lifestyle intervention, and assistance to consumers who are interested in regaining and/or maintaining optimal health. Pam has been featured in many widely distributed documentaries, including the acclaimed documentary:" Forks Over Knives". She is one of the co-authors of the Companion Book, a New York Times bestseller for 66 weeks, and of Food Over Medicine: The Conversation That Can Save Your Life , and "Companion books for Food Choices and Diet Fiction". Pam has also been a feature lead expert in Food Choices, appeared in Diet Fiction, and in Code Blue, which was released in early 2020.
Elisa Nair Ferreira is Lawyer and a prominent figure in animal rights activism and in promoting plant-based eating in Portugal, and is one of the main people responsible for the project Desafio Vegetariano Portugal (Vegetarian Challenge Portugal).
Sandra Pimenta holds a degree in Law and is pursuing a Master’s in Administrative Law. She is an activist and political figure from Vila Nova de Famalicão affiliated with the PAN (People–Animals–Nature) party, where she serves as spokesperson for the municipal council.
Guided by the motto of a “sustainable revolution,” her work focuses on defending animal rights and promoting a more sustainable lifestyle, and she also volunteers with environmental organizations.
Julia Ferreira Rebelo is a family doctor with a master's degree in tropical medicine and international health. She transitioned to a plant-based diet over 25 years ago and became an animal rights activist.
Cátia Costa is responsible for Animal Welfare and Environmental Protection at the Campolide Parish Council in Lisbon.
She is responsible for implementing the Capture/Neuter/Return (CED) program for the ethical control of stray cat colonies in the parish. Her goals are to raise public awareness and ensure fairer and more sustainable management of environmental and animal protection issues.
Sónia Jorge Costa Pires
Sónia Jorge Costa Pires is a lawyer and currently serves as a councilor in the Tavira City Council, where her experience in public administration and social rights is applied to the management of legal, environmental, and citizenship issues in the municipality of Tavira.
Inês Lapa is a certified nutritionist and trainer who stands out for her approach focused on physical and mental health through food, which she sums up in the expression “eating life.”
Joana Oliveira is the National Director of ProVeg Portugal, a non-profit organization that aims to transform the global food system by promoting plant-based eating as a healthy, compassionate, and environmentally responsible lifestyle.
Alice Basílio
Alice Basílio is the President of Save & Care, an organization that combines animal rights activism with the management of a rescue sanctuary. Alice leads the organization in carrying out awareness-raising activities in Portugal, while also providing a safe and exploitation-free home for animals rescued from the animal farm industry.
Juan Pablo Casadiego, PhD, is a researcher focused on sustainability and an advocate for regenerative and plant-based food system transitions. As a scientific advisor and city campaigner for the Plant Based Treaty in Spain, he supports governments and universities in incorporating science-based, climate-resilient food policies into regulations and education. His efforts connect research, governance, and institutional change to promote equitable, sustainable, and safe food systems.
Enric has an academic background in international relations and international law, specializing in environmental protection, animal welfare, climate change, and human rights. With his extensive experience in advocacy, he has led and coordinated global campaigns across multiple organizations.
Currently, Enric serves as the UN Affairs Coordinator for the Plant Based Treaty Campaign,where he focuses on strategic planning, lobbying efforts, and team coordination. He also leads the engagement at UN climate negotiations, advocating for policies that advance food systems transformation as a top climate solution.
Joe Rosario is a physical therapist, osteopath, naturopath, chiropractor, and acupuncturist with an international practice, holding qualifications and clinical experience from Brazil, Canada, the USA, and Portugal. His integrative approach combines expertise in manual therapy, postural balance, acupuncture, and the study of the physical manifestation of emotions. A post-doctoral graduate in Psychobiology from the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), one of the most prestigious in Latin America, Joe is the creator of the Postural Balance methodology..
Author of several books and articles on postural re-education and therapeutic techniques, he has established himself as a reference in his field. His literary and scientific production covers topics from the efficacy of manual techniques to the complex interaction between emotion and posture. With extensive experience in orthopedics and adult neurology, Joe Rosario is currently based in the city of Porto, Portugal, while also maintaining regular practice in the USA and Canada.
Peter Fearon
Peter is an award-winning teacher, ecologist and regenerative farmer, a founding member of Raiz Minhota Cooperative Integral and owner of Quinta Estrelinha, a 1.5Ha Regenerative Farm in Paredes de Coura. Peter farms with a focus on integrating agroforestry and market gardening, monitoring ecological change through a bird ringing project. Founded in 2021, Quinta Estrelinha currently supplies restaurants in the Alto Minho and a growing CSA with high quality, nutrient-dense, chemical free-fruits, vegetables and ferments year-round.
Brenda is one of the leading plant-based pioneers and an internationally acclaimed speaker. She is widely regarded as a rock star of plant-based nutrition and was referred to as “The Godmother” of vegan dietitians by VegNews.
Brenda has been a featured speaker at medical, nutrition, and dietetic conferences in over 20 countries on 5 continents. Her most interesting adventures include a personal consult and lecture for a member of the royal family (and his staff) in Saudi Arabia (with colleague, Dr. Michael Greger), a lifestyle intervention demonstration project for the medical community in Lithuania (with colleague, Dr. John Kelly), and serving as the lead dietitians in a diabetes intervention research project in the Marshall Islands. On her last trip to the Marshall Islands (November 2017), she developed a nutrition education curriculum for kindergarten through grade 6 and trained teachers in all public schools.
As a prolific nutrition and health writer, Brenda has authored/co-authored 13 books with nearly a million copies in print in 15 languages. Her most recent works include Plant Powered Protein , with her son Cory and colleague Vesanto Melina, Nourish: The Definitive Plant-based Nutrition Guide for Families(Shah and Davis, 2020), Kick Diabetes Essentials (Davis, 2019), The Kick Diabetes Cookbook (Davis and Melina, 2018), Becoming Vegan: Comprehensive Edition (Davis and Melina, 2014) and Becoming Vegan: Express Edition (Davis and Melina, 2013). Nourish won gold in the 2020 Nautilus Book Awards and was also a Canada Book Award winner. Becoming Vegan: Comprehensive Edition won a 2014 REAL Best of 2014 Book Award and Becoming Vegan: Express Edition won the Canada Book Award and was a finalist and received honorable mention in the Foreward Book of the Year Award. Becoming Vegan: Comprehensive and Express Editions have also received a star rating by the American Library Association as the “go-to books” on plant-based nutrition. And of course Becoming RAW
Brenda has co-authored numerous professional and lay articles. She is a past chair of the Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group of the American Dietetic Association. Brenda has been promoting plant-based diets since making the transition herself in 1989. Her personal and professional life goals are one in the same – to make this world a more sustainable, more health supportive, and kinder place. Brenda’s work focuses on ensuring that everyone who wishes to be plant-based can succeed brilliantly. In 2007, Brenda Davis was inducted into the Vegetarian Hall of Fame.
Ivone is a grass root, local leader who has taken it upon herself to change the future of her country with a simple step: by educating children in a different way! Ivone Apoilinario is the co-founder of O Mundo Somo Nos, an alternative educational system in Northen Portugal, to inspire the next generation and their parents to be themselves and do better for the whole community and eventually the world.
Ivone is also the current coordinator of the Learning Center of the association O MUNDO SOMOS NÓS as well as president of the association's board. Despite her degree in International Relations, and having studied Management, she has a growing interest in adult and children education that led her to study several areas such as Natural Medicine (Macrobiotics and Zen-Shiatsu), Yoga, Humanized Childbirth and Pre-Education.
Altino Bessa holds a degree in Forestry Engineering and has combined his work as an entrepreneur with a distinguished political career. He served as a Member of Parliament for the CDS-PP (People’s Party), representing the Braga district during the 12th Legislature until 2015.
Currently serving as City Councillor in the Braga Municipal Council, he is responsible for the areas of Civil Protection and Environment. Deeply committed to environmental stewardship and sustainable governance, Altino Bessa has long been an advocate for policies that balance ecological preservation with community development.
On October 12th 2025, Altino Bessa was elected as Vice Mayor of Braga’s Municipality.
As Patron of Elevate Braga, he lends his leadership and vision to fostering dialogue and action around sustainability, environmental responsibility, and a more conscious future for the region. Altino is also the Councillor responsible for making Braga the second city in Portugal to sign the Plant Based Treaty, committing to supporting initiatives that positively impact the city’s footprint.
Ismael began his academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of Granada. Continuing his studies, he pursued a Erasmus Mundus Master in Environmental Studies, specializing in “Cities and Sustainability” across several esteemed universities. This academic pursuit culminated in a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Engineering from the University of Aveiro.
With a solid academic foundation, Ismael transitioned into the professional sphere, focusing primarily on waste management and circular economy practices. As a Zero Waste Ambassador and Board Member at ZERO – Associação Sistema Terrestre Sustentável, he actively engaged in policy advocacy at both national and EU levels. His expertise extended to crafting Zero Waste plans for municipalities and private entities, as well as biowaste management strategies.
In his role as a Consultant at Ibérica Ambiente, Ismael provided services ranging from waste collection analysis to organizing sustainable events. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, cooking, and exploring nature, demonstrating a diverse range of interests and passions.
Ismael’s journey exemplifies a commitment to environmental sustainability and professional excellence, contributing to positive change in waste management practices.
Gil Pereira has a degree in Applied Biology and Environmental Education and has worked as an environmental educator, non-formal education facilitator and project manager (environment, youth associations and development consulting). He is mainly interested in issues related to ecology, education, community development, human rights and citizen participation. He is an active member of several associations and informal movements, mainly in the field of ecology, but also in community intervention. He is currently the Board President of Associação Famalicão em Transição
Dr Cristina Costa
With a degree in Biology and Geology from the University of Minho in Braga, Dr Cristina Costa worked for 5 years in Portuguese secondary schools. Her career progressed after obtaining her BSc in Energy and Environmental Technology from the University of Glamorgan, in Wales, when she was invited by Braga City Council to join the Environmental team. She has been working for the Municipality for over 25 years. She was an association leader at NGO Quercus for over two decades, carrying out numerous environmental educational activities.
Ángela Pereira holds a degree in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD). She has supervised numerous interns in the field of Organic Agriculture and contributed to scientific studies on vegetable varieties developed by UTAD’s Department of Genetics. She also holds a Master’s degree in Adult Education and Community Intervention from the University of Minho, where she has delivered training programs in Organic Farming, Natural Resource Sustainability, and Local Markets.
With more than 25 years of experience in the field of organic agriculture — spanning production, technical support, commercialization, training of professionals and non-professionals, research, association work, and participation in hundreds of events — Ángela has dedicated her career to promoting sustainable practices and preserving natural resources.
In 2004, she founded Biobrassica, which today includes two certified organic stores (in Braga and Guimarães, both certified by Certiplanet since day one), as well as two farms: a vegetable production unit in Braga and a fruit orchard in Póvoa de Lanhoso.
Originally from Póvoa de Lanhoso, Ángela is 48 years old and a proud mother of three.
Dr B went to med school at Georgetown School of Medicine, trained in medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and gastroenterology at The University of North Carolina Hospitals, got his Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (MSCI) from Northwestern University and a certificate in nutrition from Cornell University. He is board-certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology and an expert in digestive diseases and the gut.
Dr B is also a multiple award winning MD and accumulated many distinctions for his work as a clinician, and conducted research for/contributed to 20+ published scientific articles and 40+ presentations at national meetings.
He is the Author of Fiber Fueled and Fiber Fueled Cookbook and the upcoming Fiber Fueled Plus and the founder of 39Tera
He is also the US Medical Director of Zoe Science and Nutrition
Noel Santos
Noel Santos is a Portuguese activist who has been involved in climate and animal justice since 2007 and is recognized as one of the leaders of the animal liberation movement in Portugal.
He is the founder of Save & Care, one of the most important animal advocacy movements, responsible for rescuing hundreds of farm animals and creating a sanctuary, as well as coordinating high-profile campaigns.
Using his multifaceted experience as an organizer, educator, and advocate for sustainable lifestyles, he has strategically evolved his activism, shifting his focus to the Plant Based Treaty. This change aims to achieve systemic and global solutions, seeking a transformation in food policy to solve the climate and animal crises.
SPEAKERS
Andrew Knight is a veterinary Doctor, Educator of animal welfare affiliated with three universities including Murdoch University School of Veterinary Medicine. He is a UK, European, American and New Zealand veterinary specialist in animal welfare. His second PhD studied vegan pet diets: health, behavioural and environmental sustainability implications. His studies on vegan pet food are regularly reported in news outlets globally and have been covered by leading outlets such as New Scientist. He often works with animal advocacy charities, and is frequently interviewed by the media. He has received over 20 awards and research grants for this work.
Neal Barnard, MD, is president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, founder of the Barnard Medical Center, an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine, and a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. His federally funded diabetes research revolutionized the nutritional approaches to type 2 diabetes, and he now aims to empower readers with life-changing information on hormones and health. He has written more than 19 books on nutrition and health.
Dr Gil Carvalho is a respected physician and research scientist with a profound depth of knowledge in nutrition and genetics. Educated as a medical doctor at the University of Lisbon and holding a PhD in Biology from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Dr. Carvalho has made significant research contributions in fields spanning molecular biology, aging, and neuroscience. He's also the creator of Nutrition Made Simple, a platform aimed at distilling complex nutrition concepts for the public. Renowned for his expertise and his dedication to clear, factual science communication, Dr Carvalho brings an insightful, evidence-based perspective on the health impacts of canola oil, unswayed by any conflicts of interest or affiliations.
Erin and Dusty are the founders of the successful website and You Tube Channel: Eat Move Rest. Erin is the planner; who has a passion for colorful creativity and artistic photos and food! Dusty is the sporty, handy and also creative and tech savvy part of the duo; who with Erin shares passion for health and plant based food for themselves and their three lovely children: Max, Liv and Zoe.
Not only do they have a popular online presence, they are also authors of the book: The Happy Healthy Plant-Based Cookbook, available anywhere books are sold.
Radio host and freelance journalist, she is also a volunteer in the area of animal welfare education working at schools. In 2010, she was the first Portuguese journalist to join a wild volunteer project in Botswana.
Courier International published her work as one of the new trends of the new millennium. She managed to fulfill his dream of meeting his childhood heroine Jane Goodall and interviewing her for Volta ao Mundo.
"Every small gesture counts", is a Jane Goodall's motto that Ana chooses to share with her son every day. She's also the author of the podcast "m80 Zona Verde".