SPAA for Sanctuary
About the Course
SPAA for Sanctuary is a free educational program created specifically for farmed animal sanctuaries.
Unlike the broader SPAA (Strategic Planning for Action and Accountability) program, SPAA for Sanctuary assumes that your organization has already completed much of the foundational strategic planning work, including developing a mission, vision, values, having a budget, a fundraising program, and, importantly, an advocacy program. The SPAA for Sanctuary program is designed to help sanctuaries build on that foundation by exploring the unique opportunities and challenges that arise in sanctuary work.
Through a series of sanctuary-specific modules, participants will explore topics such as governance, leadership, founder transition and succession planning, grief and trauma, employee and volunteer engagement, animal care and wellbeing, land and facilities, storytelling, social media, and the practical use of artificial intelligence.
Sanctuary work is deeply rewarding, but it can also be emotionally demanding, financially challenging, and operationally complex. SPAA for Sanctuary was created to help sanctuary leaders strengthen their organizations so they can continue providing excellent care for animals while building healthy, sustainable organizations.
While a strategic plan is not required to participate, sanctuaries that already have one will find it easier to apply many of the concepts discussed throughout the program. Organizations that have not yet completed foundational strategic planning may wish to explore the SPAA program alongside, or even in advance of SPAA for Sanctuary.
All farmed animal sanctuaries are welcome, regardless of size, location, budget, or stage of development.
Meet the Team
Dr. Krista Hiddema
Dr. Krista Hiddema is a seasoned leader in the animal advocacy movement, bringing decades of expertise in ethics, governance, philanthropy, and strategic planning. After a successful career in the for-profit sector, she transitioned to full-time animal advocacy, serving as Vice President of Mercy for Animals in Canada and later as Chief Philanthropy Officer at Vegan Grants. Krista was a founding board member and six-year board president of Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary, where she witnessed first-hand the transformative power—and the challenges—of sanctuary work. She holds a doctorate in organizational leadership and is the creator of SPAA (Strategic Planning for Action and Accountability), a program that equips advocacy organizations worldwide with tools for measurable impact.
Lauri Torgerson-White
Lauri Torgerson-White is a respected animal welfare scientist with extensive experience in sanctuary operations, research, grant-making, and policy. She served as the Senior Director of Research and Sanctuary Animal Welfare at Farm Sanctuary, where she developed and implemented welfare assessment programs and training for sanctuary staff. She also served as a philanthropy officer, assisting with grant-making at Vegan Grants, before joining New York University’s All Animals Initiative as a research scientist. Lauri’s expertise spans behavioral health, environmental enrichment, and ethical care for farmed animals, with a focus on agency-based welfare approaches that respect animals as individuals.
Kyle Behrend
With 13 years of hands-on experience building and improving operational systems inside a working farmed animal sanctuary (Edgar’s Mission, Australia). Kyle specialises in practical, staff-friendly technology that reduces admin load, strengthens communication, and improves outcomes for animals. His work focuses on creating “systems that empower great people” — from animal care databases and donor CRMs to automations, documentation, and AI-enabled workflows that help sanctuaries become more sustainable, organised, and resilient. Kyle has contributed tools and templates to the wider sanctuary sector, including work with The Open Sanctuary Project’s Animal Database.
Sierra Bessey
Sierra Bessey is an experienced sanctuary professional with a strong background in farmed animal care, welfare assessment, and program coordination. She spent a decade at Farm Sanctuary, where she worked directly with rescued animals, oversaw animal care teams, supported sanctuary operations, and contributed to welfare evaluation processes. Sierra brings a deep understanding of the day-to-day realities of sanctuary work, as well as the importance of aligning care practices with a sanctuary’s mission and values.
How It Is Offered
Join Today
Join today at no cost to you and begin your learning journey by clicking here and answering a few short questions that will help us confirm that you are part of the farmed animal sanctuary community and ensure that this learning space remains focused on those doing sanctuary work.
Join SPAA for Sanctuary