Michele’s work received praise from many respected individuals in the plant-based industry.
“Michele Simon has been an incredible friend, colleague, and mentor to me, championing the need for progressive and sustainable food policy. Her passion and integrity are powered by her knowledge and understanding and vision for a better future.”
— Daniel Nicholson, President & CEO, NadaMoo! —
“Michele Simon’s decades of leadership experience is invaluable. There are multiple aspects of nonprofit management that can steer us away from the actual work we intend to do, and I'm grateful for experienced leaders such as Michele supporting our work.”
— Monica Chen, Executive Director, Factory Farming Awareness Coalition —
“Michele Simon is the complete package—tremendous expertise on nutrition and food safety, the writing and speaking skills to communicate that knowledge effectively, and the media connections to get the word out far and wide. I highly recommend her services. ”
— Andy Kimbrell, Executive Director, Center for Food Safety —
“Michele Simon is a dynamic, engaging, and informative speaker. Her knowledge of food policy is second to none, and her presentations make what could be a dry topic accessible and entertaining. I can’t recommend Michele highly enough.”
— Josh Golin, Executive Director, Fair Play —
“Michele Simon is a true leader in the plant-based foods movement. As a funder (over several years) of her critical work to create labeling standards, I could always depend on Michele delivering on her promises, with high quality and integrity. ”
— Leslie Barcus, Executive Director, VegFund —
“Michele Simon has been a trusted colleague of mine for many years. I’ve long admired her integrity, her strategic thinking, and her ability to communicate even complex concepts clearly and succinctly. She is a wonderful writer, and a terrific speaker. It’s always a pleasure to work with her.”
— Susan Linn, Ed.D., Founder, Fairplay (formerly Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood) —
“Michele Simon is a powerhouse in the plant-based food world. Not only is she a proven leader and visionary, her deep knowledge of journalism, media, and the law is unparalleled. She’s one of the top minds in the plant-based foods industry, and the person to turn to when you want things done.”
— Colleen Holland, Publisher & Co-founder of VegNews —
“Michele provides an outspoken and articulate voice on the politics and commerce of food and nutrition. Her knowledge about the realities behind our systems of food production and marketing are unsurpassed, and she uses new and old media alike to effectively spread her wisdom and her message.”
— Mark Pertschuk, Director at Grassroots Change & Preemption Watch —
“With national attention riveted on our food and health crisis, audiences want to hear from credible, clear-headed, and independent experts. There aren’t many, but Michele Simon fits the bill. Her book, Appetite for Profit, is groundbreaking and made Simon the go-to source for fresh, hard-hitting, penetrating analysis of what’s wrong and what we all can do. I continue to learn from her work and highly recommend her as a speaker.”
— Frances Moore Lappe, Author —
“Inspired by my own battle with the dairy lobby, Michele had the foresight to create the Plant Based Foods Association, and just in time for the onslaught of attacks against our industry. In her 5 years as PBFA’s leader, she fended off powerful interests. She is a fierce defender of the integrity of plant-based foods, exceptionally strategic, and a critical voice for the vegan movement.”
— Miyoko Schinner, Founder & CEO, Miyoko’s —
“I first met Michele when the concept of the Plant Based Foods Association was germinating. I was impressed with her foresight that this emerging category would need a unifying voice, and gladly signed on as a founding member. I miss Michele’s guiding hand on the organization that she created. And I know that she remains proud of what she achieved and that she is on her way to something equally meaningful.”
— Madeline Haydon, Founder & CEO, nutpods —
“Michele Simon is a terrific speaker. She is clear, organized, and provocative. If you want groups talking up a storm afterwards, she’s the one.”
— Marion Nestle, Author & Professor, New York University —
“In the world of food reporting, where puff pieces are as common as Wonder Bread, Michele Simon is a rare and fearless voice. For over two decades, she has tenaciously investigated and documented major scandals in the food industry. She has the gift of a storyteller, a passion for justice and a knack for breaking news. She is a genuine citizen hero.”
— Gary Ruskin, Executive Director, U.S. Right to Know —
“Michele Simon has a pulse on the critical times we are living in and speaks truth to power. Michele uncovers sexism and racism in the food system, plant-based food industry, policy, and the world of social impact investing, and offers refreshing insights and restorative solutions to professionals and entrepreneurs leading the next inclusive and regenerative economy with joy, integrity, and equity.”
— Kai B. Nortey, CEO/Co-Founder kubé —
“Michele Simon’s track record in media and communications speaks for itself. She has been a go-to source time and again for leading journalists and media outlets reporting on the intersections of food, sustainability, climate change, and the burgeoning plant-based sector. Her clear, convincing, and forward-thinking communications expertise has ensured she is among the first to be quoted on many stories that are now ubiquitous in the media.”
— Ryan Fletcher, Owner & Director of Movement Media / Global Director of Public Relations at Dr. Bronner’s —
“Michele has depth & integrity rarely found in these times. Her care and knowledge is deeply rooted in being a force for good, and maintains high standards we should all strive to ensure are the norm not the exception.”
— Jeff Krinsky, Sales Consultant in Natural Products —
“Michele Simon is a long-time leader and original thinker in the plant-based foods movement. She thinks courageously, independently, fearlessly. Michele often provides views outside conventional wisdom and knows how to separate the signal from the noise.”
— Todd Boyman, CEO, Hungry Planet —
“Michele brings a creative, multi-faceted approach to problem solving and advancing her clients’ interests. She has a wide variety of tools in her toolbox given her knowledge and experience with public policy, law, and public relations, as well as her extensive network of contacts in media, the food industry, and food policy. I appreciate Michele’s keen ability to look beyond the surface issue to recognize the politics and power dynamics at play.”
— Lauren Handel, Principal Attorney, Handel Food Law —