Meet the Team: Alexia
Ever wonder who’s behind Hive? Meet the people shaping Hive from the inside out!
In this edition of Meet the Team, we’re introducing Alexia Dean, Latin America Ambassador at Hive.
Alexia’s curiosity, care, and dedication helps further Hive’s mission, particularly across Latin America. From strengthening connections in a diverse region to championing collaboration and shared learning, her journey shows how meaningful change grows when advocates are supported and brought together with intention!
What brought you to Hive?
I discovered Hive through FAST, back when it was called Impactful Animal Advocacy.
The moment I joined, I was fascinated; it felt like walking into a library, an exhibition, or even a shopping center for farmed animal advocates, where everything was free, carefully curated, and of the highest quality.
For me, Hive is like an all-year conference you can join from home or while traveling; it shortens distances, especially for those who can’t attend events in person.
What I love most is how it nurtures respectful, meaningful connections that actually lead to good outcomes for animals.
What’s something you’ve learned from the Hive community?
There are many things I’ve learned from Hive, one that truly changed my perspective is that fundraising doesn’t have to be competitive. Through Liz Wheeler and Hive, I discovered a generous space where people openly share experiences, strategies, and advice on such a vital part of organizational work. More broadly, I’ve learned that sharing knowledge collectively helps us see the bigger picture of what’s happening in the movement, so we can identify gaps, avoid duplicating efforts, and make better use of the scarce resources we have as advocates for farmed animals.
What is one local organization you’re excited about that gives you hope for the farmed animal advocacy movement in your region?
It’s hard to pick just one, but I’d like to mention the vegan community in Costa Rica, whom I recently “discovered” at a conference in Peru.
For years, they’ve sustained diverse actions across different organizations—working in coordination, with social, educational, and local agricultural focuses.
Their persistence and collaboration are inspiring. And I’m eager to see what they can accomplish with proper grants. Their collaborative model could inspire other parts of Latin America to work together more strategically for farmed animals.
What’s one thing in your environment that inspires you or reminds you why you do this work?
On my desk, I keep a few books like, “Doing Good Better” by William MacAskill and “How to Create a Vegan World” by Tobias Leenaert. They remind me not only of the importance of this work, but also of the need to keep learning and improving to have better tools for change.
And not an object by any means, but Dianoia — my blind pigeon, who has lived with me for three years — inspires me deeply. Her resilience and intelligence constantly reconnects me with other birds, and with all animals who are exploited in terrible ways.
What’s one way you recharge outside of your advocacy work?
I enjoy silence. So… meditation, reading, or walking are my favorite ways to recharge. From time to time, I also like trying out a new and simple recipe, which usually ends up becoming a favorite for several months.
And I truly value moments spent talking with friends. It helps me disconnect from work, laugh a lot, and return with renewed energy and perspective.
What’s one unique strength you see in the farmed animal advocacy movement in Latin America that the rest of the movement could learn from?
I wouldn’t say these qualities are exclusive to our region, but Latin America’s farmed animal movement stands out for its resilience, creativity, and warmth. Advocates here often work in complex social and economic contexts, yet they continue to find new ways to connect with people and make the message about animals relatable. There’s a remarkable ability to turn limitations into innovation and diversity into collaboration. What truly defines the movement is its empathy and sense of shared purpose: a combination of heart, inventiveness, and hope that keeps actions alive. So perhaps what we can share with the rest of the movement is this capacity to sustain empathy, creativity, and hope while navigating complexity.
If Hive had an official song, what do you think it would be?
I would go with “Give a Little Bit”, an oldie that perfectly captures Hive’s spirit, giving a part of ourselves to something bigger, and building community through generosity and kindness. As an extra, I’d add a Spanish song: “Somos Uno”. Lines like “I am what I am, not what you see” and “we are so different, yet the same” remind me of how Hive connects people from different backgrounds and countries, and how all sentient beings, no matter how different they look, deserve to live free and be respected.
One last question: What is your most overused emoji on Slack?
My most over-used Slack emoji is is either the 🧡 or the “Hi!“ one. I love saying “hi” to anyone who wants to work for farmed animals.
That’s Alexia
Whether she’s connecting with advocates across Latin America or helping surface regional insights, Alexia contributes a grounded perspective to Hive’s global conversations. Her time here reflects how consistent, thoughtful work can strengthen networks and help keep the focus on the animals who most need change.
Stay tuned for more Meet the Team stories coming soon, as we continue to highlight the people at Hive.
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