Born in Tehran, Iran, and raised in Vienna, Austria, Leila is a plant-based nutritionist and social justice activist. With a background in medicine, Leila had to pivot her career path due to debilitating migraines.

Although Leila’s journey to veganism started as an animal rescuer, she later discovered the power of a whole food plant-based diet and healed her migraines through diet. This experience shifted her professional interests. She pursued a Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate at eCornell, part of Cornell University, and obtained a Master’s of Science degree in Clinical and Public Health Nutrition from University College London.

 

Navigating life as a vegan of colour and an immigrant in Austria and the UK, she brings a unique awareness of the intersectionality of different social identities and injustices. Leila passionately champions an anti-oppressive approach within the realms of animal rights and vegan activism, leading her to found Plant-based Health Justice, a non-profit social justice charity dedicated to cultivating justice, equity, and compassion to create a healthier and more sustainable world for all.

 

Links:

• Plant-based Health Justice https://plantbasedhealthjustice.org/
• Vegans for Palestine: https://www.instagram.com/vegansforpalestine/(link is external)
• Vegans for Palestine's Statement of Solidarity can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/vegansforpalestine/(link is external)
• Flavours of Freedom eBook https://flavoursoffreedom.bigcartel.com/product/flavours-of-freedom
• Decolonising Veganism (Leila's talk with Animal Alliance Asia as part of their Changing the Narrative series) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdwfkpcwsXM

 

Music played:

• Bella Ciao (Palestinian version with subtitles) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw8kQJ3Dg6Q
• Baraye by Shervin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0th9_v-BbUI