Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Danielle Hanosh. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Danielle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

In 2017, Blackberry Creek Farm Animal Sanctuary in Northern California received a thoughtful letter from a high school freshman named Audori who had been placed in an FFA class at school as an elective. When she found out she’d be raising a pig, Sebastian, she was excited… that is, until halfway through the semester when her teacher explained they’d be sending their animals to slaughter. Audori instead chose to save Sebastian’s life, raising the money via a crowdfunding campaign to buy her friend from the school program and finding him a safe, permanent home at Blackberry Creek where the precursor to LEAP was then started. After partnering with two other sanctuaries, Jameson Humane and Rancho Compasión, LEAP was turned into its own non profit and the program quickly spread across the country. This innovative alternative to traditional youth agriculture programs was started for all of the students out there like Audori who are eager to learn about leadership, climate solutions, a just food system, conservation, the intersection of human and animal rights, and the ethical and compassionate treatment of animals.

Danielle, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have always been passionate about animals and the outdoors, and as a child I wanted to be a marine biologist, being particularly drawn to sharks and ocean conservation. Life decisions and a knack for writing took me in a different direction however, and I ended up majoring in English Literature and graduating with honors from the University of California Davis, where I later returned to earn a teaching credential and an MA in Education. About halfway through my ten years of teaching middle school English, I learned about the positive impacts of a vegan lifestyle on farmed animals, human and environmental health, and wildlife conservation, and I co-founded a nonprofit farm animal sanctuary, Blackberry Creek, as a passion project. When one of my rescued pigs, Cromwell, was refused life-saving treatment by my local university veterinary hospital, I drove him across the country to Purdue University for a life-saving veterinary procedure. Since that experience, I have also been a more vocal advocate for equitable veterinary treatment for companion farm animals.

In the summer of 2020, I began to understand the significant impact humane education could have for animals and climate change, and I left the public school system to focus entirely on animal welfare issues. That fall, I helped co-found a new nonprofit called LEAP (Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet), a hands-on humane education program for teenagers that focuses on animal welfare, ethical leadership, and environmental conservation.

My unique combination of experience in public education and sanctuary work uniquely positioned me to be offered the position of LEAP’s Executive Director in early 2023, and since then I have been focused on sustainably growing the program to reach teenagers across the nation.

Over the years, I have been able to use my education and literary background not only to write curriculum for LEAP, but also two children’s books about animal welfare, “What Are Llamas For?” and “The Very Ugly Chicken,” and a book on animal loss for all ages called “The Other Side.” I also enjoy traveling, especially to learn about the issues animals face in different parts of the world and to advocate on their behalf.

I currently live in the foothills of Northern California with my dog, Wrigley, and many rescued farm animals. In the future, I look forward to rolling out the LEAP after school program for K-8th graders, publishing several books about conservation, anti-speciesism, and ethics, and continuing to advocate for positive change for the future of all animals and our collective impact on the planet.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

I think two of the best strategies for managing a team and maintaining high morale are:

1. Hire people who are kind and have a wide variety of skills (most notably, hire those who are good at what you are not), and then cultivate actual relationships with them. We can all feel the difference between a boss who asks how your weekend was as a simple nicety rather than someone who inquires how you are authentically doing and wants to know about your life. The more authentic the relationship, the more mutual respect you will develop for each other, and the greater motivation you will both have to the good of the company.

2. Practice gratitude. Too often, bosses try to maintain an air of superiority over their team, and while a healthy level of respect is important, it needs to be earned and cultivated regularly. Clear and specific complements are key in making your team feel your authentic gratitude and motivating them to continue doing good work.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

My former husband and high school sweetheart (who was the co-founder of our sanctuary and the LEAP program) chose to move in a new direction in life, and I found myself in my mid 30’s devastated and divorced from my best friend. Not only was it personally crushing, but it meant I now had significantly more responsibility for over 60 animals as well as the task of managing two nonprofits. Growing up very hard-working and independent meant I was not very good at asking for help, and I had to learn to rely on close friends, family, and colleagues to navigate a new normal, heal emotionally, and restructure my life. I can’t recommend therapy highly enough (something all of us can benefit from) and am so grateful for so many supportive people in my life, the animals I live with who provide me with unconditional love, and a career that continues to drive me forward for the greater good. One day I hope to find someone who is passionate about animal welfare and wants to adventure together through the rest of life, but in the meantime, I am happily enjoying this season of independence and grateful to be doing the work I feel I was meant to do.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.leapforanimals.org
• Instagram: @leap4animals
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leap4animals/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-hanosh-22462a263
• Other: Blackberry Creek Sanctuary Links https://www.blackberrycreek.org Instagram: @blackberrycreek Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryCreekSanctuary

Image Credits
Blackberry Creek Farm Animal Sanctuary Austin Farm Sanctuary Catskill Farm Sanctuary Sally Seymour