Leah Kelly

Leah Kelly is the food and agriculture policy specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity, where she works to develop and implement policies that will foster a just and sustainable food system. She has previously worked to advance food systems, animal welfare, and environmental reforms at organizations including the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Mercy For Animals, the Good Food Institute, and Conservation Strategy Group. She holds a master's in public policy and administration from Northwestern University and a bachelor's in sociology with international and intercultural studies from Pitzer College.

Sub-specialties:

Factory farming/industrial animal agriculture/CAFOs
Sustainable and just food systems
Impact of animal agriculture and our current food system on the environment, public health, local communities, antibiotic resistance, zoonotic diseases, the economy, biodiversity, worker rights, etc.
Information asymmetries in food labeling and marketing
Big Ag lobbying and influence on Congress and USDA
Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Farm animal welfare legislation
Corporatization/conglomeration/monopolization of American agriculture
General animal welfare policies
Connection between intensive agriculture and destruction of biodiversity
Plant-based food procurement policies