Capital Region Vegan Network Logo
Capital Region Vegan Network’s (CRVN) Board of Directors are charged with setting the overall goals and direction of the organization including setting the budget, creating policies, and authoring the strategic plan. 
Our Staff handles the day to day affairs, which includes event planning, membership operations, marketing, and more!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Claire Henderson-Jain

PRESIDENT

Claire has been volunteering for the Capital Region Vegan Network since she became vegan 17 years ago. She was raised vegetarian and went vegan after the first VegFest by CRVN (held in Saratoga).  There she watched a video of a “spent” dairy cow going off to slaughter and learned the cruelty of the dairy industry.  Since then she has volunteered in various capacities in the organization to bring programming and vegan education to the Capital region. 

   She is the mother of 2 children Avi (8.5 yrs) and Anika (5.5 yrs) and raising them vegan with her husband Punit.  Claire works as a research scientist and enjoys research and development projects at work and at home.  She works on the CRVN merchandise using screen printing, laser and paper techniques. 
Valentina Capone headshot

Valentina Capone

VICE PRESIDENT and treasurer

Valentina Capone serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors of Capital Region Vegan Network (CRVN), where she works to empower and engage the community through vegan outreach, education, and advocacy. With a commitment to personal growth and community building, Valentina is dedicated to creating inclusive spaces that welcome everyone from long-time vegans to the veg-curious.

Her role at CRVN includes fostering meaningful connections with local businesses, managing major gifts and grants, and organizing impactful events like Albany VegFest and seasonal socials. Valentina is passionate about helping others discover the benefits of a vegan lifestyle, from health and wellness to environmental sustainability and animal welfare.

In her spare time, Valentina enjoys hiking, kayaking, live music, and comedy shows, and she’s always on the lookout for a great new recipe to try. When she’s not leading CRVN initiatives, she’s traveling or spending time with family.

Brooke Fane headshot

Brooke M. Fane, Esq.

SECRETARY

Brooke is a Sr. Global Corporate Campaigns Specialist with The Humane League where she campaigns against major global companies to end the abuse of animals raised for food. She has been campaigning for animals for about two (2) years and prior to that she was an attorney. Brooke is a lifelong resident of the capital region and still resides there with her husband and their rescued companion animals, dogs Archie and Ronnie, cats Olive and Birdie, and chickens Berry, Lemon, and Kiwi. When Brooke is not advocating for animals, she enjoys cooking delicious vegan food, traveling, and relaxing.

Board member Haley Tice photo

Haley Tice

Board Member

Haley Tice is a graphic designer and illustrator who has aligned her career with her love for animals. Currently, she serves as the Lead Digital Designer at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. She particularly enjoys collaborating with the communications team on social media graphics and strategy. Outside of work, Haley loves spending time in the great outdoors, whether it’s snowboarding in the winter or hiking during the warmer months.

Patricia Thomson headshot

Patricia Thomson

Board Member

Patricia R. Thomson, Ph.D., aka Dr. T, is the author of WFPB20 (Whole Food Plant Based) and the Food as Medicine Five Day Lifestyle Plan, a certified nutritionist, an experienced speaker, Events Director, coach, consultant, and cancer survivor. As the co-founder of Wellness20, Dr. T is on a mission to create thriving communities around the world.

She earned her Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate through e-Cornell Center for Nutrition Studies, her Plant-Based Culinary Certification through the Rouxbe Culinary School, her Plant-Based Instructor certification through the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine Food For Life program, and her Medicinal Plants certification through e-Cornell.

Staff

Autumn Coogan

MARKETING AND OUTREACH MANAGER

Autumn is a passionate advocate for both animal and human welfare, bringing a robust background in social media strategy and communications. As a former Social Media Director for a large animal rescue, she successfully helped place hundreds of animals at risk of euthanasia. Currently, she serves as the Communications Lead on the board of a local vegan-led non-profit animal rescue, where she focuses on grant proposals and website management. In her free time, Autumn enjoys fostering animals, hiking, photography, and traveling, with Switzerland being her favorite destination to date.