Education, Support & Community for New & Aspiring Vegans
SYRACUSE VEGAN LIVING PROGRAM
April 11th - May 9th, 2026
Saturdays, 1:30-4:30pm
Held at University United Methodist Church, 324 University Avenue, Syracuse, NY
and Sweet Farm, 210 Hall Road, Himrod, NY
Want to go vegan, but need some help and support? Be a Vegan Pledge in the Syracuse Vegan Living Program! The Vegan Living Program (VLP) is a FREE month-long educational program that covers the how’s and why’s of living vegan, including the ethical and environmental considerations of veganism, nutrition, cooking, meal planning, and living vegan in a not-yet-vegan world. Participants pledge to live vegan for the duration of the program, with the help of volunteer Vegan Coaches and our educational program. Pledges receive a binder full of resources and recipes, a VLP tote bag, and free vegan stuff to make the transition easier and more fun!
It’s clear that more and more of us are interested in addressing animal exploitation, tackling climate change, and concerned about our own health. Whatever your motivation, the Vegan Living Program is designed to provide you with the support you need, and to build a community of like-minded individuals.
The Vegan Living Program has been held with overwhelming success since 2011 in Baltimore, MD, Long Island, NY, Syracuse, NY, Rochester, NY, and Pasadena, CA. We are excited for the 6th year of the Syracuse VLP!
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Join us for this life-changing program!​
Register to be a Pledge:
The 2026 Syracuse VLP Schedule:
The Vegan Living Program sessions are 100% required attendance for Vegan Pledges and Coaches.
All sessions except Session 4 (sanctuary trip) will be held at the University United Methodist Church (UUMC), 324 University Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210. On May 2nd (Session 4), we'll meet at Sweet Farm, 210 Hall Road, Himrod, NY 14842. Carpooling on May 2nd is encouraged, and we try our best to facilitate finding rides for those who need one.
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SESSION ONE - April 11, 1:30-4:30pm:
Introduction to Veganism, Cooking Demo & Coach-Pledge Intros
Held at the University United Methodist Church (UUMC), 324 University Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210
Join us for welcome remarks and introductions from your Syracuse Vegan Living Program organizers—Shelly Bornemann, Emily Doucet, Jim Thompson, and Jacqueline Cappello—followed by an Introduction to Veganism presentation from keynote speaker Eric Lindstrom, Executive Director of FARM Animal Rights Movement. The session will conclude with a cooking demo by Crystal Allen, a talented and passionate vegan baker, who will share her love for plant-based cooking along with practical, approachable tips. Vegan Coaches and Pledges will also have time to meet and get acquainted.
SESSION TWO - April 18, 1:30-4:30pm:
Vegan Nutrition & Vegan Health & Fitness
Held at the University United Methodist Church (UUMC), 324 University Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210
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Vegan Nutrition with board certified oncologist, Dr. Steven Duffy. Where do you get your protein? Is soy bad for you? Learn about healthy, vegan nutrition and get your questions answered. Dr. Duffy will speak about the health benefits of a plant-based diet, and provide data pertaining to health and nutrition.
Dr. Duffy will be followed by Vegan Health & Fitness with Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Kayla Slater. “Coach” Kayla has over a decade of experience helping individuals harness the power of plant-based nutrition for better health and performance.
SESSION THREE - April 25, 1:30-4:30pm:
The Environment & Panel Discussion
Held at the University United Methodist Church (UUMC), 324 University Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210
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Veganism and The Environment with Environmentalist, Jacqueline Cappello, followed by a panel discussion, Living Vegan in a Not-Yet-Vegan World moderated by Loren Leonard. Panelists include Dr. Steven Duffy, oncologist, Nick Ryan, co-founder and co-owner of Strong Hearts Cafe, Megan-Marie Mills-Rydzak, founder and owner of Fat Cat Baking, Jim Thompson, Vegan CNY’s Food Share Coordinator, Kelly Leonard, physician assistant, and Saptarshi Lahiri, makerspace librarian.
SESSION FOUR - May 2, day trip with tour at 2:00pm:
Field Trip to Sweet Farm
Held at Sweet Farm, 210 Hall Road, Himrod, NY 14842
SESSION FIVE - May 9, 1:30-4:30pm:
Graduation Celebration
Held at the University United Methodist Church (UUMC), 324 University Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210
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A celebratory potluck meal honoring our Pledges and Coaches, with certificates of completion presented to graduating Pledges. We’re thrilled to welcome musical guest Caleb Liber, along with special guests Christine Volk and Sam Kenney from the Compassion and Cucumbers Podcast. Christine will also share a cooking demo during the celebration.
Due to limited space, graduation is open to VLP Pledges, Coaches, and organizers only.
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Please Note:
Vegan Living Program educational content is not meant to be construed as health advice, or take the place of a consultation with a medical professional. All Vegan Pledges will be given a release form indicating as much at the first meeting on April 11, which MUST be signed in order to participate in the program.​
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All educational sessions will be documented with video and/or photography, which will be posted online and/or used in promotional materials for the program. Media may be invited to some sessions. Submitting a registration form for the VLP indicates your acceptance of these terms.
Speaker Bios:
Shelly Bornemann
Syracuse VLP Director and Organizer
Session 1: Introductions
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Shelly has been involved in animal rights advocacy since the mid-2000s, participating in vivisection, circus, and anti-fur demonstrations organized by local grassroots groups.
Today she brings that commitment to compassionate living into her role as Director and co-organizer of the Syracuse Vegan Living Program, where she helps support and guide people who are exploring veganism. She loves creating and sharing vegan dishes to show how joyful, accessible, and delicious plant-based living can be.
Outside of advocacy work, she finds joy in gardening and hiking with her partner extraordinaire, Dave. Their home is filled with love - and fur- shared with their rescue dog Betty, and three rescue cats, Polly, Xander, and Otis.
Emily Doucet
Syracuse VLP Organizer
Session 1: Introductions
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Emily has been volunteering with homeless cats and dogs at local animal shelters since 2001, and currently volunteers at Second Chance Canine Adoption Shelter in Jamesville, and assists with social media and marketing for Cuse Pit Crew, a pit bull advocacy group in Syracuse. She made the connection between the companion animals she was advocating for and farmed animals in 2012, and has been happily vegan ever since!
Emily was a vegan coach at the 2018 Syracuse Vegan Living Program, and a co-organizer in 2019, 2023 and 2024. She is excited to be a co-organizer again this year!
She currently works at the Fayetteville Library, and as a mentor at Advocates Inc. She lives with her partner Dan, and their menagerie of 4 rescue cats and 1 special needs rescue dog. When she's not working or volunteering, Emily loves reading, mushroom hunting, hiking, swimming and taste-testing (and posting on Instagram) all the fabulous vegan food created by Dan!
Jim Thompson
Syracuse VLP Organizer
Session 1: Introductions and Session 3: Panelist
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Jim is a former board member of Vegan CNY and the coordinator of Vegan CNY's weekly Food Share program. His primary focus is on helping to create a thriving vegan "community" in the Syracuse area. Jim lives with his wife, two vegan kids, and their pit mix Ringo. When he's not volunteering for local vegan programs he works for the state Vocational Rehabilitation agency.
Jacqueline Cappello
Syracuse VLP Organizer
Session 1: Introductions and Session 3: Speaker
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Jacqueline Cappello is a lifelong environmental enthusiast. She worked as a solar industry project manager in NYC and an energy auditor with National Grid & Con Edison. In 2021 she received Plant-Based Nutrition Certification through Cornell’s Center For Nutrition Studies and now pairs her zeal for environmentalism with her love of food & animals. Jacqueline offers free cooking demonstrations, presentations, and coaching through the Syracuse Vegan Living Program. Her aim is to help our communities learn the beneficial ripple effects of eating sustainably, healthfully, and compassionately.
Eric C Lindstrom
Session 1: Speaker
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In his role as Executive Director of Farm Animal Rights Movement, Eric manages the 501(c)3's programs, personnel, budget, and operations. After founding a successful vegan advertising and marketing firm, Eric officially started his career in the animal rights movement as the Program Director for Farm Animal Rights Movement (2016-2018) and then served as the Director of Marketing and Communications for Animal Outlook (formerly Compassion Over Killing). He has penned two best-selling books on veganism, The Skeptical Vegan and Raising Vegan Kids (Skyhorse Publishing) and resides in Ithaca, New York.
Crystal Allen
Session 1: Cooking Demo
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Crystal Allen is a 45 year old mother of three young adults. She went vegan six years ago when her children were teenagers. She works with adults with developmental disabilities. In her free time she enjoys gardening for food and for pollinators, baking, sourdough, cooking, all things fermentation, canning, herbalism, and foraging to name a few.
Dr. Steven Duffy
Session 2: Speaker and Session 3: Panelist
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Dr. Duffy is a practicing physician at Hematology/Oncology Associates of CNY. He is board certified in internal medicine, hematology, and medical oncology. Throughout his career he has been involved in clinical trials on the local and national level. He currently serves as the director of research at HOA. While his clinical practice is focused on treating cancer, he also has a strong interest in cancer survivorship and prevention.
Kayla Slater
Session 2: Speaker
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Kayla Slater is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with over a decade of experience helping individuals harness the power of plant-based nutrition for better health and performance. With a Master’s degree in Nutrition Science and a deep commitment to evidence-based practice, Kayla specializes in guiding clients toward sustainable dietary changes that support weight management, energy, and athletic performance.
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Throughout her career, Kayla has worked with diverse populations, from busy professionals seeking balance to competitive athletes aiming for peak performance. She is passionate about making plant-based eating accessible, delicious, and practical for everyday life. Her approach focuses on simple, whole foods that nourish the body and mind.
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An avid runner and fitness enthusiast herself, Kayla understands firsthand the importance of nutrition for endurance, strength, and overall well-being. She integrates this knowledge into personalized coaching, meal plans, and group workshops that empower clients to thrive on a plant-based lifestyle.
Kayla is also a sought-after speaker and writer, contributing to blogs, webinars, podcasts, and community events to spread the message of plant-powered health. When she’s not working with clients or developing new recipes, she can be found exploring local farmers’ markets, training for her next marathon or triathlon, or enjoying the outdoors with her dog and fiancé.
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Loren Leonard
Session 3: Panel Moderator
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Loren has been vegan for nearly 15 years—a journey that began in an unexpected place. He grew up raising cows in a meat‑and‑potatoes family and even met his wife while the two were working at Burger King. His path to veganism has shaped his belief that if he could make the change, anyone can!
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He works as a web developer at SUNY Cortland and spends his evenings playing bass in a ’90s rock band or guiding friends through Middle‑earth adventures. Most of all, he loves spending time with his family.
Megan-Marie Mills-Rydzak
Session 3: Panelist
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Megan Rydzak founded Fatcat Baking during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 after several years in the food industry. She holds an advanced pastry certificate from the Culinary Institute of America (C.I.A.) in Hyde Park, NY and a BFA in Commercial and Advertising Photography from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. She also participates in continued education classes from The Institute of Culinary Education in NYC as well as the C.I.A. Megan is actively involved in community initiatives currently serving on the board of the Syracuse Veg Collective and previously served on the board for Salt City Roller Derby, where she managed public relations and marketing. Outside the kitchen, Megan enjoys hiking around Central New York, photography, traveling and playing video games with her husband and enjoying time at home with her cats.
Nick Ryan
Session 3: Panelist
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Nick Ryan is a founder and owner of Strong Hearts. Now operating restaurants in both Syracuse and Buffalo, Strong Hearts started out in Syracuse in 2008.
Nick grew up in Weedsport, NY and studied Psychology and Music Industry at Syracuse University. While at SU, Nick helped reform and grow the Syracuse Animal Rights Organization. The group was involved in various forms of animal rights activism, from community outreach to organizing protests and hosting conferences.
Nick has lived vegan for more than 25 years.
Kelly Leonard
Session 3: Panelist
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Kelly Leonard is celebrating her 15‑year veganniversary. She and her husband, Loren, transitioned to veganism together, and their daughter, Genevieve, has been vegan since birth. They live in Cortland with their six cats.
Kelly is a physician assistant specializing in psychiatry and harm‑reduction substance use disorder treatment. She also holds a certification in plant‑based nutrition, reflecting her commitment to compassionate, evidence‑based care and a lifestyle rooted in wellness and ethics.
Caleb Liber
Session 5: Musical Guest
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Caleb Liber is a professional solo and acoustic musician based in Syracuse, performing throughout the Central New York region. With ten years in the all‑’90s tribute band My So‑Called Band, he brings a deep catalog of ’90s favorites to the stage, and his repertoire spans every decade back to the ’50s and covers a wide range of genres.
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Caleb’s shows are built around connection and audience participation. He brings a rotating song list of roughly 300 titles, inviting listeners to call out requests and shape the set in real time. For those seeking original music, he draws on years spent performing exclusively in original bands.
Sam Kenney and Christine Volk
Session 5: Cooking Demo
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Sam & Christine are hosts of the vegan podcast, Compassion & Cucumbers. Whether you’re a new vegan, or an old pro, they have episodes for you!
"I recommend this excellent program to anyone who is interested in learning more about the vegan perspective. The presentations are informative and practical. Myths are dispelled here. Yes, it is possible to get enough protein on a vegan diet, and vegan food can be delicious! More importantly, people who care about the impact they have on their fellow beings, and on the environment, come together to explore the possibilities for change."
~ Pamela Kenley-Meschino
Vegan Living Program participant, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018