Alya Michelson Honors Simone Friedman with the Leader in Animal Welfare Award

Simone Friedman (left) receiving the Michelson Found Animals Foundation Leader in Animal Welfare Award from Alya Michelson (right)

In 2018, Dr. Gary and Alya Michelson were introduced to Eating Animals, a documentary based on Jonathan Safran Foer's 2010 book of the same name, which highlights the farmers, whistleblowers, and innovators who are advocating against factory farming. “My life changed as I left the screening room,” said Alya Michelson, co-chair of Michelson Philanthropies, “I became a vegetarian that day”.

“My life changed after I left the screening room [of 'Eating Animals']. I became a vegetarian that day."

- Alya Michelson, co-chair of Michelson Philanthropies

Later, Alya met with Simone Friedman, the driving force behind the film’s distribution and ultimate impact and learned about the broader . Simone serves as Head of Philanthropy and Impact Investment for EFJ Philanthropies, managing grant-making across the foundations and other charitable giving programs under the EJF Philanthropies umbrella. She served as the impact producer for Eating Animals, which also won the 2019 Environmental Media Association Documentary Award.

Although Michelson Found Animals Foundation primarily focuses on pets, Alya appreciated the impact this film had with environmental and farm animal causes, and moved to recognize Simone as a pioneer in storytelling philanthropy which has the potential to change the world by shifting societal mindsets one person at a time. “It was a privilege to present the award to Simone Friedman to commend the strides the film made in raising awareness around the consequences of factory farming,” says Alya.

"I am so appreciative that Michelson Found Animals is highlighting the destructive role that industrialized animal agriculture plays in the well-being of the planet and all who inhabit it," said Simone Friedman. Simone now sits on the Advisory Committee for Alya’s newest project, FirstGen, which uplifts immigrant women through storytelling that celebrates their contributions, and programming that facilitates their pathways to success.