---
title: Jessika Ava, MS, MPA
description: Jessika Ava, MS, MPA
---

[Skip to content](https://www.jessikaava.com/cv#main-content)

[![](https://www.jessikaava.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-png%20-SMALL.png?width=148&height=147&name=logo-png%20-SMALL.png)](https://www.jessikaava.com?hsLang=en)

- [About](https://www.jessikaava.com/)
- [CV](https://www.jessikaava.com/cv)
- [Speaking and Publications](https://www.jessikaava.com/speakingpublication)
- [Testimonials](https://www.jessikaava.com/testimonials)
- [Consultation](https://www.jessikaava.com/consultation)
- [Contact](https://www.jessikaava.com/contact)

Open main navigation

Close main navigation

- [About](https://www.jessikaava.com/)
- [CV](https://www.jessikaava.com/cv)
- [Speaking and Publications](https://www.jessikaava.com/speakingpublication)
- [Testimonials](https://www.jessikaava.com/testimonials)
- [Consultation](https://www.jessikaava.com/consultation)
- [Contact](https://www.jessikaava.com/contact)

# Jessika Ava, MS, MPA

## CV

 

| **EDUCATION:** |   |
| --- | --- |
| 2016 | Masters of Science in Biostatistics *University of Arizona* |
| 2013 | Masters of Public Administration in Nonprofit Management and Program Evaluation *Portland State University* |
| 2009 | Bachelors of Science in Evolutionary Biology *University of Oregon* |
| **PROFESSIONAL:** |   |
| 2022-present | CEO *Thrive Philanthropy* Asia, LATAM, Africa, Global North |
| 2018-2023 | Director of Global Grants Department \| Program Officer *ProVeg International* Asia, LATAM, Africa, Global North |
| 2017-2018 | Director of International Programs and Grantmaking *FARM* Asia |
| 2010-2016 | Asia Grantmaker and Evaluator *Help Animals India* India and Nepal |
| 2010-2014 | Shelter Manager, International Coordinator (Intermittent) *Street Dog Care* Nepal |
| 2009-2010 | Field Researcher, Elephant Conservation. *Aaranyak* India |
| **FELLOWSHIPS, AWARDS, CERTIFICATES:** |  |
| 2025 | Professional of the Year Award. SLOAN Indigenous SSMN. |
| 2023 | Equity in Philanthropy Fellow. Rockwood Leadership Institute. |
| 2023 | Certificate of Appreciation for Longstanding Nepal Animal Welfare Contributions. Handed by Environmental Minister of Nepal. |
| 2022 | Mindfulness-Based Leadership Certification. Spirit Rock Meditation Center. |
| 2014-2016 | SLOAN Indigenous Graduate Fellow |
| 2012-2014 | American Indian Graduate Fellow |
| 2008-2016 | Multiple Indigenous STEM Science Academic Awards |
| **PUBLICATIONS:** |   |
| Grant, C. et al. (2024). The Capacity and Funding Landscape of the Asian Farm Animal Protection Movement. *Asia for Animals Coalition*. |  |
| Ava. J. (2017). Spatiotemporal Analysis of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Human Incidence. *Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health.* |  |
| Ava. J. (2014). Emergence of Industrial Dairy into Southeast Asia. *Brighter Green.* |  |
| Ava. J. (2011).IFFCO Kisan Special Economic Zone Industrial Dairy Farm Proposal to Intensify Dairy Milk Production in India. *Federation of Indian Animal* *Protection Organizations.* |  |
| Das, J.P., et al (2011). Securing the Future of Asian Elephants in Manas National Park, India. *Aaranyak Conservation Society and Conservation Leadership* *Programme.* |  |
| Ava. J. (2012-2105). 21 articles examining environmental, animal welfare, and humanitarian implications of industrialized animal agriculture in Global South countries. *Brighter Green.* |  |
| **SELECT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:** |  |
| *Africa's Growing Plant-Based Food Systems Transition Movement.* (2026). AVA Summit. Ghana.   *Funding Landscape in Asia’s Plant-Based Food Systems Ecosystem.* (2025). Animal and Vegan Advocacy Summit. India. |  |
| *Funding a Movement without Colonizing*. (2025). AVA Summit. Kenya. |  |
| *Navigating Western Funding Space.* (2025). Pakistan International Animal and Environmental Rights Conference. Pakistan. |  |
| *High Impact Meat Reduction Strategies*. (2024). China Vegan Summit. China. |  |
| *Funding Ecosystem in Global Food Systems Movement.* (2024). Reducetarian Summit. USA. |  |
| *Funding Ecosystem in Global Food Systems Movement.* (2024). AVA Summit. USA. |  |
| *Funding Ecosystem in Global Food Systems Movement.* (2024). Asia for Animals Summit. Vietnam. |  |
| *Significance of Animal Movements in Nepal. (*2023). Kathmandu VFest. Nepal. |  |
| *Navigating Race and Gender Equity in White Supremacy Funding Spaces.* (2022). Animal Advocacy Conference Asia. |  |
| *Key Tactics to Reduce Meat Consumption.* (2019). Asia for Animals International Conference. China. |  |
| *Key Tactics to Reduce Meat Consumption*. (2019). International Vegetarian Union. Kenya. |  |
| *Evaluating Impact of Animal Advocacy Tactics.* (2018). India for Animals Conference. India. |  |
| **BOARD OF DIRECTOR SERVICE:** |  |
| 2025-present | Animals Unbound |
| 2025-present | Animal Alliance Asia |
| 2025-present | Black Indigenous Medicine Apprenticeship (BIMA) |
| 2020-present | A Just World |
| 2019-2020 | Umano |
| 2011-present | Out to Pasture Animal Sanctuary |
| 2010-2016 | Help Animals India |

[linkedin-in icon](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessika-ava-b73b6b135) [linkedin-in icon](https://www.linkedin.com/company/thrivephilanthropy)

- [About](https://www.jessikaava.com)
- [CV](https://www.jessikaava.com/cv)
- [Speaking and Publications](https://www.jessikaava.com/speakingpublication)
- [Testimonials](https://www.jessikaava.com/testimonials)
- [Consultation](https://www.jessikaava.com/consultation)
- [Contact](https://www.jessikaava.com/contact)

---

[![](https://www.jessikaava.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-png%20-SMALL.png?width=148&height=147&name=logo-png%20-SMALL.png)](https://www.jessikaava.com?hsLang=en)

client@thrivephilanthropy.org  
New York, USA

Copyright © 2025