Ben Williamson
US Executive Director

Ben Williamson leads Compassion in World Farming's US office, overseeing the running of its campaigns, food business, and operations. Originally from London, England, Ben has over a decade of experience working for leading animal protection organizations in both the United States and United Kingdom. As a lead spokesperson, Ben has made numerous television appearances including NBC, CNN, Fox News, CBS, and Good Morning America and authored numerous op-ed pieces in USA Today, Newsweek, New York Daily News, Independent and more.

Ben holds a Master’s degree in Political Science and Political Economy from London School of Economics and Political Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from University College London.

Jean Aly
US Human Resources and Operations Manager

As the Human Resources and Operations Manager at Compassion in World Farming, Jean Aly is a vital member of the US leadership team and oversees the US office's human resources, compliance, and operations functions in coordination with the US Director and global operations team.  With over 15 years of human resources experience, Jean is experienced in managing and directing diverse, multi-unit organizations.  In Jean's prior role as Director of Human Resources, she was responsible for compliance, compensation strategy & design, talent management, benefits, and executive coaching.

Jean holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science with an emphasis in Economics, Sociology, and Political Science from California State University San Marcos and an Executive in Human Resources Management certification from Loyola Marymount University. Jean is a staunch advocate for animal rights and believes in Compassion’s mission to end factory farming. She is a native of California and can often be found gardening, bird watching, and trying new vegan recipes with her family and two rambunctious, rescued pups.

Food Business

Julia Johnson
Head of Food Business

In her role as Head of Food Business, Julia Johnson works with major U.S. food businesses, supports strategy development, and manages the production of food business assets, all with the central objective of driving improvements in farm animal welfare and environmental sustainability in our food system. She is particularly interested in regenerative agriculture, transitional farming, and ensuring biodiversity in our ecosystems. She holds a Master of Science in Anthrozoology from Canisius College, a Master of Divinity from Yale University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University.

Outside of her work with Compassion, she is an equestrian at heart and lives in Michigan with her family and paint horse.

Dr. Hillary Dalton
Animal Scientist

Hillary Dalton is the Senior Research Manager at Compassion in World Farming USA. Hillary holds a PhD in poultry behavior and welfare from the University of Guelph, an MSc in applied animal behavior and animal welfare from the University of Edinburgh, and a BSc in animal biology from the University of Alberta. Hillary previously served as a post-doctoral associate at Newcastle University, overseeing precision agriculture research on behavior, welfare and health topics in pigs and poultry.

During her career, Hillary has published several peer-reviewed scientific articles and has presented at several international conferences. Hillary uses her technical knowledge and experience to advise Compassion USA on strategies to improve farmed animal welfare and the sustainability of modern food production practices.

Kourtney Houk
Food Business Manager

Kourtney serves as a Food Business Manager with the U.S. team, working closely with major food businesses to adopt and build upon commitments for animal welfare. She is passionate about transforming food systems and is excited to partner with companies to drive systemic change toward regenerative agriculture and more sustainable farming practices.

Kourtney holds a Master’s in Higher Education Administration and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Business from Central Michigan University. She lives in Michigan and enjoys spending time on her growing homestead gardening, baking, and raising chickens.

Jenna Bensko
Food Business Manager

Jenna is a Food Business Manager with the Compassion in World Farming U.S. team. She has an M.S. in Food Science and Human Nutrition from Colorado State University and a BSc in Nutritional Sciences from Cornell University. During her graduate program, Jenna studied the social and environmental impacts of restaurant menus and the sustainability of restaurant Corporate Social Responsibility reports. She is particularly interested in improving the sustainability and equitability of food systems through system level changes.

Hailing from Colorado, Jenna loves to run on the local trails, spend time with her rescue dog, and host pizza nights with her friends and family.

Anna Sostarecz
Food Business Manager

Anna Sostarecz is a sustainable food systems enthusiast with a background managing sustainable food programs in higher education and nonprofit organizations. She holds a BSc in Environmental Resource Management from Penn State University and has worked across the food system, including in the food security and food waste sectors, mitigating food from landfills. Anna is passionate about transforming the food system to be more environmentally and socially sustainable. She lives near Denver, Colorado with her family and her rescue cat Apollo. She spends her free time in the garden, in the mountains, making art, or veganizing recipes. Anna is looking forward to helping improve animal welfare with Compassion's Food Business team!

Ryan Robinson
Corporate Compliance Manager

Ryan Robinson is the Corporate Compliance Manager at Compassion in World Farming USA, engaging with major food industries in upholding their welfare policies and commitments. He is especially interested in working to improve the environmental impact of food systems. Ryan has been passionate about animal welfare and advocacy since graduating with Bachelors in Biological Sciences from Clemson University and has worked with various nonprofit organizations and rescues since.

In his free time, Ryan enjoys volunteering with local and state animal welfare efforts, spending time by the beach, and playing with his rescue pup, Maya.

Campaigns

Madison Longenecker
Public Relations and Engagement Manager

Madison Longenecker works toward developing Compassion USA’s reputation as the leading authority on farmed animal welfare through securing media coverage on Compassion’s missions, annual reports and campaigns, plus engaging supporters through social media. In her past roles, she has worked as a communications specialist, as an assignment editor in broadcast television in Pittsburgh and as an investigative reporter for her college newspaper. Her experience has provided her with a keen media sense and passion for storytelling.

Madison earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Public Relations with an English minor from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Living in the Appalachian mountains of Pennsylvania, Madison loves to crochet, spend time in nature hiking, kayaking and bicycling and most of all, spend time with her family, friends, her husband Carter and their two rescue cats, Danni and Spencer.

Allison Molinaro
Campaigns Manager

Allie Molinaro works to advance Compassion USA’s state and federal policy work, thought leadership, and activist mobilization. She focuses her work on placing factory farming in a broader context, highlighting its impacts not only on animal welfare but also on pollution, climate change, public health, and social justice. Prior to joining Compassion, Allie assisted in public education and donor relations at NRDC.

Allie holds an M.S. in Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management from The New School and a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Connecticut.

Fundraising

Callie Hennessy
Head of Philanthropy

Callie Hennessy, a relationship-builder, plant mom, and amateur vegan chef, is thrilled to be aligning her professional skills with her personal passion for farmed animal welfare and animal rights in her role as Head of Philanthropy for Compassion USA. In her work, she seeks the partnership of individuals, trusts, foundations, and corporate donors so that together we can be the voice for billions.

A Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from Boston University equipped Callie for years of fundraising with international NGOs in Switzerland and the United States. She currently lives in New York City with her daughter but her favorite place of all is outside where you will find her running, swimming, or camping in the open air.

Meghan Endicott
Donor Development Officer

As Donor Development Officer for Compassion USA, Meghan Endicott focuses on building and maintaining meaningful relationships with donors, ensuring a personalized experience throughout their philanthropic journey. Leveraging over 14 years of fundraising experience, Meghan implements communication strategies, acknowledgment processes, and engagement initiatives to express gratitude, convey impact, and foster long-term support from donors dedicated to improving the lives of farmed animals around the world. 

Outside of work, Meghan can be found volunteering her time on the Board of Directors of Tenth Life Cat Rescue, an organization that prioritizes the rescue and care of cats with special needs.

Marissa Valladolid
Individual Giving Manager

Marissa joins Compassion USA as the fundraising team’s Individual Giving Manager. With a focus on growth and engagement, she develops informative campaigns to fuel Compassion’s vital programs, creating opportunities for everyday animal lovers to become extraordinary animal advocates.

After more than six years of development and communications work in the farmed animal welfare movement, she remains committed to learning and connecting with other mission-driven individuals. When not spearheading the next big fundraising push, she can usually be found hanging with her two best friends, Romeo and Cruz—small Chihuahua mixes with larger-than-life personalities.

Want to join our team? Take a look at our current open positions!