Michele Waldman

Michele Waldman is the Founder and President of Rosie’s Farm Sanctuary, a nonprofit organization located just outside Washington, D.C., dedicated to rescuing farmed animals, advancing humane education, and advocating for a more compassionate and just world for animals. Through her leadership, Rosie’s has become a center for animal rescue, community engagement, and education, fostering meaningful connections between people and animals while promoting greater awareness of animal sentience and the realities of animal exploitation.

In addition to her work in animal advocacy, Michele is a licensed marriage and family therapist with extensive experience in trauma, healing, and human relationships. Her background in psychotherapy informs her approach to advocacy, emphasizing empathy, education, and the transformative power of personal connection to inspire meaningful and lasting change.

A passionate advocate for systemic reform, Michele believes that compassion must be accompanied by meaningful legal protections. She is committed to advancing a world in which animals are recognized as sentient beings deserving of dignity, justice, and protection under the law.

Michele is married to Craig Waldman, an attorney and fellow animal advocate who founded the Animal Welfare Working Group at Jones Day and has provided pro bono legal services to the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Together, they share a deep commitment to animal protection. They have two sons and a beloved family of rescued animal companions.