Skip to content


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:

Funding Landscape in Asia’s Plant-Based Food Systems Ecosystem. (2025). AVA

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). AVA 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