September 22, 2025
Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) is powered by volunteers who bring energy, passion, and kindness to every event. One of them is Oriana Rueda-Krauss. She has only been volunteering for about seven months, but she has already made a big difference and built meaningful connections.
Volunteering at Twin Cities Veg Fest
Oriana’s first volunteer role has been with Twin Cities Veg Fest as part of the organizing committee. She helped both the volunteer coordinator and the zero-waste coordinator in an assistant role. These jobs fit her passion for protecting the environment.
“I think striving towards zero waste is another great way of supporting nature,” Oriana said. “The amount of single-use plastic we use is ridiculous and unnecessary. I believe we all can do much better to try and reduce our carbon footprint.”
Discovering CAA
Oriana first found CAA while searching online for activities that matched her values of compassion and kindness for both people and animals. “I was looking online for activities and ways to connect with like-minded people,” she explained. She went to a talk about why being vegan matters. There, she met new friends who told her about Twin Cities Veg Fest — and soon after, she signed up to volunteer.
Impressed by the Community
What stands out most to Oriana is the people she’s met through CAA. “The amount of committed, generous people that come together to help bring forth a more fair and considerate way of being” has left a lasting impression on her. For Oriana, the sense of community is just as important as the volunteer work.
Why She Volunteers
For Oriana, volunteering is about more than events. It is about giving back and building friendships. “I believe that volunteering is a great way to give something back, add to our community, and meet cool people in the process,” she said.
Life Beyond CAA
When she isn’t volunteering, Oriana loves kayaking, reading, camping, hiking, and spending time outdoors with interesting people. These hobbies connect her to nature and strengthen her commitment to a healthier planet.
Inspired by Compassion
Oriana’s choice to live a plant-based lifestyle comes from her compassion for farmed animals.
“It breaks my heart to think of the millions and millions of animals who spend their entire lives scared, confused, sick, in confinement, and never get a chance to experience the joys of life,” she said. “I want to do better by them. A better world is possible and it starts with our consumption choices.”
Through CAA’s Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge, Oriana also discovered new favorite restaurants, including Reverie Café + Bar and the Himalayan Restaurant, where she especially enjoys their momos.
A Voice for Kindness
Oriana’s story shows how compassion and action can work together to create real change. She reminds us:
“Keep choosing kindness. Even if at times it feels like there’s not many of us and all the issues can be overwhelming, take things one step at a time, keep moving forward, take breaks if you need them, and know that there are many, many of us out there who believe a better world is possible and are taking action towards it.”
Her journey proves that one person can make a difference. Volunteering is one of the most rewarding ways to create change. If Oriana’s story inspires you, consider getting involved with Compassionate Action for Animals. Whether it’s volunteering at next year’s Twin Cities Veg Fest, helping with outreach, or supporting other efforts, your time and energy can help build a kinder world for animals, people, and the planet.
Thank You, Oriana!
We’re so grateful for Oriana Rueda’s passion and dedication to CAA. From supporting zero-waste efforts at Twin Cities Veg Fest to helping strengthen our volunteer community, Oriana’s contributions reflect her deep care for animals, people, and the planet. By lending her time and energy, she helps create events that are not only impactful but also welcoming and sustainable. Her commitment truly makes a difference in building a kinder, more compassionate community, and we’re honored to have her as part of the CAA volunteer family.
Inspired by Oriana? Get Involved With CAA!
If Itzel’s story inspires you, consider supporting our work by volunteering, donating, or exploring creative options like matching grants through your employer. Together, we’re creating a more compassionate world for animals, people, and our planet.
Past Volunteer Spotlights
Want to meet more of our amazing volunteers? Explore these recent volunteer profiles:
- Volunteer Spotlight on Itzel Herrera
- Volunteer Spotlight on Laura Hofer
- Volunteer Spotlight on Sheryl Lyke
- Volunteer Spotlight on Rianna Engel
- Volunteer Spotlight on Magnus Larsson
- Volunteer Spotlight on Ronan Magnus
- Volunteer Spotlight on Kedar Deshpande
- Volunteer Spotlight on Anna Larsson
- Volunteer Spotlight on Alysia Nelson
- Volunteer Spotlight on Tom Hoch
- Volunteer Spotlight on Lexy Race
- Volunteer Spotlight on Faustine Micheyls
- Volunteer Spotlight on Grace Prins
- Volunteer Spotlight on Kim Milligan
- Volunteer Spotlight on Allison Gamble
Making an Impact Together
Volunteers drive everything we accomplish. Last year, more than 280 volunteers donated over 6,263 hours of their time — more than $125,000 in value to CAA! They’ve also gained valuable advocacy skills, leadership experience, and lasting friendships in our community.
Read more about our collective impact in the annual report and browse available volunteer roles here.
CAA’s Theory of Change
Our mission is to encourage people to embrace their empathy for farmed animals and move toward a plant-based diet. This drives our vision of a world where all animals, human and nonhuman, can thrive.
We grow our movement by welcoming people of all backgrounds. Through our programs, events, and activities, we create a powerful cycle of increasing awareness, building community, empowering advocates, and generating lasting change for farmed animals. This approach targets both individual and institutional change.
What kind of change do we create? Our programs reduce consumption of animal products, improve the lives of farmed animals, and benefit the well-being of all Minnesotans.
We developed this theory of change in 2017 through comprehensive community input, including an online stakeholder survey, two public town halls, and strategic planning sessions with staff, core volunteers, and board members.
Your Skills, Our Mission
Ready to turn your compassion into action? Join our community of change-makers! Explore our volunteer opportunities to find the perfect match for your interests and skills. From hands-on roles in food service, photography, and event coordination to strategic planning for Twin Cities Veg Fest and helping to manage our website, there’s a meaningful way for everyone to contribute.
