“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 —
“I have known Michele for many years and have worked with her in several organizations. Michele has a strong sense of justice and understands how parties sometimes arrive at different conclusions about what's right or fair. She listens carefully to people who feel they have not been heard before and can advocate strongly for them while helping an organization improve policies and procedures that can help alleviate such issues in the future.”
— Miyoko Schinner, vegan chef and founder of Miyoko’s —
“I've known Michele Simon for 15 years, first as my supervisor and later as a mentor and friend. As an ombuds she offers a calm, empowering, confidential space where employees, especially those who are traumatized, can share their questions, and find support and options. Michele's professional expertise and lived experience are valuable to nonprofits, startups, and corporations of any size.”
— Sarah Mart —
“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 was very helpful to me in navigating a toxic situation at my job. She provided tips for documenting my concerns, coached me on how to vocalize those concerns and she also provided me with emotional support and confidence! Her attention to detail, knowledge and compassion all make her service invaluable and I highly recommend her.”
— Michelle Sooknanan —
“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 —
“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 helped me during a very difficult situation at work, keeping in mind my constraints and needs. I left the conversation feeling empowered. She has a way of seeing the bigger picture, and so when she gave her advice (after carefully listening – she is a very good listener), it consisted of multiple parts. First, she helped me with a specific plan with the immediate situation at hand: what could I do that would protect and benefit me? Then, she helped me think through the next steps at work concerning the issue. Finally, she supported me by reminding me what valuable expertise I had and how I could be agentic in the future (i.e., getting to the roots of the problem). I felt like I had someone on my side who understood me, believed me, and believed in me. ”
— Sparsha Saha —
“Michele provided me with helpful advice on how to navigate a stressful work situation professionally, thoughtfully, and efficiently. I appreciated how her non-profit and advocacy experiences provided her with a unique perspective on how it is reasonable and perfectly valid to expect good behavior from employers and managers, even those in non-profit organizations that are tackling societal problems! Likewise, I appreciate how she is advocating for anti-racist behaviors and more inclusivity from these same organizations.”
— Sapna Thottathil —
“When connecting with Michele, I appreciated that she led from a place of understanding and firsthand knowledge of workplace abuse. It’s hard to feel safe in such a vulnerable situation, but Michele was candid and open. She was able to support me with my workplace abuse and trauma and provided me with feedback and advice in a way that made me feel safe and seen. I felt Michele was invested in me, my safety, and the outcome from our first conversation. I look forward to continuing to work with Michele and recommending her to others looking for support.”
— Jessica Due —
“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 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 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 —
“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 —
“‘You are collateral damage.’ Huh? How can a human being be collateral damage? Yet that’s what the corporate lawyer said to me just after an employment nightmare.
Friends and family wanted to help, but how could I burden them with something so complex and frankly humiliating. I was shaken, stirred, and confused, unable to take the all important first step back towards normalcy and living my life again- the feeling of being human. Enter Michele Simon. Michele Simon never saw me as collateral damage, or damaged period. Through her vast experience and effective counsel, Michele Simon instilled in me that I could regain my confidence and feel human again.
There is no greater feeling to be lifted from despair and confusion by a human being who sees you as a human being. Michele Simon lifted the chains of self-doubt and replaced them with confidence and positivity. I remain forever grateful to Michele for every minute of our journey to making me human again. Michele guided my restoration from ‘collateral damage’ to the confident, gregarious, and positive human being I was before this incident.
And genuinely, only Michele Simon could have helped me achieve this.”
— Samir Qurashi —
“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 —
“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 —