Share Your SPAA Experience

Taking the Strategic Planning in Animal Activism course led by Krista was a transformative experience.

Throughout the course, Krista consistently demonstrated the very principles she taught, especially around fostering respectful, safe, and collaborative work environments. Her thoughtful approach made what initially felt like an overwhelming task of sustainably growing a vegan advocacy organization in the face of significant challenges, instead feel achievable and inspiring.

The resources and insights Krista provided will continue to guide me throughout my career. Her commitment to tailoring the content to real-world challenges made the learning incredibly relevant. It’s clear she iterates on and refines the material regularly, ensuring it remains both timely and impactful. I left the course not only with actionable strategies but also with renewed confidence in our collective ability to effect change.

I would highly recommend this course to anyone seeking to elevate their activism and leadership within the movement.

SPAA program has brought me a deeper understanding of the vegan global movement and closer to coleagues from fellow organizations and funders.

It has provided us with applicable tips for our growth and up-to-date AI tools as well as how to make them work in our favor. Also, I have gotten answers to specific internal challenges within my organization. Probably the most important was that it helped me to keep myself accountable for doing a strong proper strategic plan that I am sure it will support the Romanian movement closer to a vegan mindset.

Our team had the privilege of attending Krista Hiddema’s strategic planning course,and it was an incredibly valuable experience for our organisation.

The course was well-structured, insightful, and deeply relevant to the challenges and opportunities
we face as a mission-driven movement.

Krista’s expertise, facilitation skills, and ability to distill complex strategic concepts into actionable steps made the sessions both engaging and practical. She was incredibly supportive, guiding us through refining our vision, developing our programs for the next two years, and embedding resilience and best practices into our operational procedures. Her guidance has been instrumental in professionalizing our organisation and strengthening our foundation for long-term impact.

A standout aspect of the course was Krista’s invaluable support in preparing us for funding pitches. She helped us articulate our mission and strategy in a compelling way, ensuring that we are well-equipped to communicate our work effectively to potential funders. Her insights and coaching have given us the confidence and clarity to secure the resources we need to drive our mission forward.

We left the course feeling inspired, focused, and ready to take our organisation to the next level. We highly recommend this course to any team looking to sharpen its strategic direction, build resilience, and enhance its approach to funding and sustainability.

When I launched UnchainedTV as a nonprofit news network for the plant-based lifestyle, I knew a lot about television, but nothing about nonprofits.

Dr. Krista Hiddema’s course taught me what a nonprofit really is, how it should be structured and run and how to explain it to the world through a compelling Strategic Plan. Her course, which includes the latest in AI, is fun, cutting edge and – quite simply – brilliant. It’s been a godsend.”

I’ve had the tremendous privilege, honor, and pleasure to participate in the 2024 SPAA course, and I can honestly say that this has been one of the best things that has ever happened to us as a group, and to me personally, since starting my professional work for animals 2 decades ago.

Every serious group in the animal rights / vegan movement should go through this course, and it’s hard for me to fathom how any group could continue to operate, and operate well, without it.

The knowledge imparted by Krista during the course, from her vast experience of working in leadership roles in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors in and outside the movement – aided by AI expert Kyle, guest speakers and the wonderful community of participants – is so well earned, researched, formulated and delivered, that I can now say with confidence that I finally have a good grasp on every aspect of the complex work of running a nonprofit, and especially a nonprofit in the animal rights / vegan field. From crafting and fine-tuning your mission, vision, values and programmatic areas, to professionalizing your board, marketing, hiring, fundraising, and everything in between, this course covered it all and offered the best tools and practices for learning more, and putting it all together into a cohesive Strategic Plan that will serve your nonprofit for many years to come.

SPAA is the absolute “Non-profiting 101” (and 102 and 103…) that you always knew you needed, but did not know where to get. Now we all do, and it’s so accessible (and fun) and free! Run, run, run to sign up for the next one!

It was truly an honor to be a part of the Strategic Planning for Animal Advocacy cohort this year, to learn from Krista and Kyle, and to be surrounded by inspiring leaders from around the world all making a positive difference in the lives of animals.

LEAP is the second nonprofit I’ve co-founded, along with my farmed animal sanctuary, Blackberry Creek. Throughout this process I have often thought about how much more impactful the sanctuary could have been in its early years if I would have had access to this course ten years ago when I founded it. The content was helpful and insightful week after week, and there was certainly no “busy work,” which meant each and every class and assignment was meaningful and worthwhile. As a former teacher, I also appreciated the excitement and engagement that the instructors inspired in the cohort, their enthusiasm for our collective work, and the way they created a comfortable environment where we could ask questions and receive feedback.

The guided exploration of our organization’s values, mission, and theory of change was absolutely invaluable at the start of the course, helping us (the board) align our vision so that we could move forward systematically through the strategic planning process. We were able to continually return to those core principles established early on with each decision that needed to be made, to really focus our time and energy on the programs that would advance our mission.

I absolutely believe everyone running a nonprofit organization would benefit from this strategic planning course, and have been telling others in the animal rights, conservation, and sanctuary space that it is most definitely something they should prioritize. They will walk away not only with a clearer vision, but with the critical thinking, organizational, and leadership skills needed to help make that vision a reality. Thank you, Krista and Kyle for the privilege of learning from you and to the Greenbaum Foundation and Vegan Grants for helping each of our nonprofits become better, more efficient stewards of the resources granted us, and more empowered leaders in the movement.

This strategic planning class fundamentally changed how we operate as an organization. It moved us out of reactive decision-making and into clear, values-aligned strategy supported by systems we can actually sustain.

The process helped us articulate what we do, why it matters, and how our programs fit together, something we had struggled to fully name despite years of hands-on work.

As an emerging Executive Director in the sanctuary space, each class provided clarity and practical tools that immediately informed both our strategic plan and our day-to-day operations. Just as importantly, the course created a rare and deeply valuable space for organizations to speak honestly about the real challenges we face, without judgment, while holding compassion for the complexity and care each of us brings to this movement. That combination of rigor and humanity was both grounding and motivating.

Krista brings a unique blend of clarity, discipline, and compassion, with just the right amount of humor. She challenged our assumptions, pushed us to think at the right altitude, and offered tools we were able to put into practice immediately. As a result, we now have a strategic plan that feels accurate, grounded, and actionable—and a leadership team that is more confident, aligned, and equipped to lead with integrity. This work has had a lasting impact on how we plan, lead, and communicate our mission.

Participating in the Strategic Planning for Animal Advocacy Program (SPAA) was a transformative experience for Our Honor.

Dr. Krista Hiddema’s expert guidance and the program’s structured framework provided us with the tools we needed to craft a clear, actionable strategic plan tailored to our mission.

As an organization committed to challenging harmful practices in animal production and empowering professionals to advocate for change, we often navigate complex and sensitive landscapes. SPAA helped us sharpen our focus, identify our core priorities, and develop strategies that align with our long-term vision.

One of the most valuable aspects of the program was its emphasis on collaboration and adaptability. Dr. Hiddema’s thoughtful approach encouraged us to assess our strengths and challenges critically while ensuring our goals remained grounded in our core values. The program also inspired us to think creatively about building partnerships and leveraging resources to amplify our impact.

Thanks to SPAA, Our Honor now has a robust strategic plan that serves as a roadmap for achieving our mission. We are more confident, organized, and prepared to create meaningful, sustainable change for animals and the professionals who advocate for them.

We wholeheartedly recommend SPAA to any organization looking to refine its vision and take its advocacy to the next level. Dr. Hiddema’s expertise and dedication to the cause make this program an invaluable resource for the animal advocacy community.

Our organization was around for four years before we finally made the leap to become an official nonprofit. SPAA came into our lives at the perfect time to help us navigate these uncharted waters.

Krista and Kyle have so much knowledge and we are thankful to have had some of that imparted on us so that we can be even better at serving the animals and our community

Attending the “Strategic Plan for Animal Activism” course has been an eye-opening and transformative experience for our organization, Oslo Vegetarfestival.

Thanks to Krista’s and Kyle’s expertise and guidance, we’ve gained a much clearer and more structured approach to planning and execution. The course has helped us identify what we’ve been doing right and, more importantly, what we need to do differently to grow and improve. After completing the course, we feel like we now observe and plan our work with a new and improved perspective—it’s incredibly motivating!

We’ve learned so much about the many facets of running an organization. From creating essential documents to refining our strategies, the knowledge we’ve gained has already had a profound and positive impact on our work and how our team collaborates. The course has also been an inspiration for us to continue fighting for animal rights and promoting the vegan cause with renewed energy.

We are incredibly grateful for this course and the opportunity to participate. After working in the animal rigths movement for many years with different organizations and animal advocates, we are convinced the course could be a game-changer for others as well. We have already wholeheartedly recommended it to other animal advocates in Norway, and hope the course continues so they will have the possibility to attend.

A huge thank you to Krista and Kyle for sharing their invaluable knowledge, to the other participants and guest lecturers for their insights and to The Greenbaum Foundation and Vegan Grants for making this course possible. This course has empowered us to be more effective and impactful in our mission, and for that, we couldn’t be more thankful.

Krista’s sessions are a game changer for organizational and personal development.

First and foremost, Krista embodies the idea that the sky is the limit. She inspires critical thinking and enables us to step back from our current actions to clearly see our mistakes, missteps, and the path we need to take to work effectively and in alignment with our values. Krista is not only a charismatic mentor and visionary but also has the unique ability to empower her students to become the best version of themselves.

These sessions were a game changer for me—a source of support, lessons, and learning. They gave me the conviction that, in this ultramarathon for animal rights, I must not forget that I can and should learn and change every single day. Participating in her sessions was a privilege. I hope that one day Krista will find the time to compile her knowledge and experiences into a book.

Top tier organizational development — from mundane to profound!

I write this as someone with 20+ years of nonprofit executive experience, which includes assisting dozens of groups strengthen their content and processes. I expected to glean a few gems from Krista, but WOW — Krista takes training to the next level — top tier! The hands-on aspects of budgeting, board creation, and HR are invaluable (of course). Beyond that, however, I was unexpectedly inspired and energized by Krista’s integrated, philosophical approach. With warmth and enthusiasm, she cultivates a group’s personal brand, leadership, and even theory of change. It’s obvious that she cares deeply about both the people and their missions. Her thoughtful and nuanced training provides a kickstart for immediate gains and sets the stage for long-term success. More than just logistics, Krista’s strategies and use of intention takes the seemingly mundane and makes it uniquely profound.

Being in Krista’s class is a privilege and a blessing. You effortlessly learn about the most intrinsic topics with the most inspiring person you would ever meet in your life.

She is transparent, objective, intense, full of information, references and data, and also full of emotion, love and care for the vegan movement and for her students. You can see the fire in her eyes and heart. For me it is absolutely clear that this is her mission, to capacitate activists so they can be their better versions and create greater impact in the world. I will probably see results of what I have learned for years to come. And Krista, you became a true friend. Thank you so much for being YOU!

The SPAA class was one of my most significant learning experiences in 2024.

I took on a leadership position in an emerging NGO as their first paid staff member in early 2024 with no formal training on this role. I accepted the position because I love this organization and want to do my very best to help it grow and expand. However, stepping into something new with high stakes was intimidating, and I often doubted myself.

The SPAA class helped me organize my thoughts, set a clear vision, and communicate it effectively. It also taught me budgeting, which initially seemed overwhelming, but now I feel confident in managing it.

I highly recommend the SPAA class to anyone in a leadership position who wants to enhance their skills and abilities.

Your wisdom, compassion, and passion for your work was apparent from the moment I meet you.

I wanted to express my sincere thanks for including Barn Sanctuary and me, in particular, in your Strategic Planning series. I’m new to this movement and I learned so much from your years of being at its forefront. To find your life’s passion and make the commitment to devote your skills and intelligence to it is admirable. 

Your wisdom, compassion, and passion for your work was apparent from the moment I meet you. Your thoughtfulness, intelligence, and humor made every class of our Strategic Plan for Animal Action webinar series rich and dynamic. You are not only eager to share your knowledge but also to learn from your students and make everyone feel welcome and heard. The experience was invaluable to me and our organization. 

Thanks again, Krista!