Ilana Braverman

Ilana lives her life according to this philosophy: "Focus on what you can change-and act on it."

So, she acted-and took her passion for climate change, environmental justice, and animal welfare to the next level, co-founding Greener by Default in 2023. The nonprofit provides evidence-based consulting and hands-on guidance to empower colleges, universities, hospitals, and other institutions to serve inclusive, sustainable, and delicious plant-forward menus.

Through her company, Ilana educates people about making more ethical and sustainable choices. She believes in making "our food culture and habits more sustainable and inclusive, which positively impacts humans, animals, and our environment."

The Vernon Hills native also serves as an Advisory Board Member for the Jewish Initiative for Animals and participated in Avodah Justice Fellowship Program. She earned her undergraduate degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and earned her master's degree in Animals and Public Policy at Tufts University.

AGE:
30

PRONOUNS:
she/her/hers

PRIMARY GIG:
Co-Founder and COO of Greener by Default

ON THE SIDE:
Spending time with my family, friends, and dogs, singing, playing piano, Crossfit, and serving as an Advisory Board Member for the Jewish Initiative for Animals

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 10 WORDS OR LESS:
Dog and plant mom, foodie, ethical, compassionate, organized, loving, and always learning

SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME:
I’m very competitive at board games!

A JEW WHO INSPIRES YOU:
Ruth Bader Ginsburg

IF TIME AND MONEY WERE LIMITLESS, I WOULD:
So many things! End factory farming, build enough housing so that everyone had a house to go home to, find a home for every animal in a shelter, open hundreds of delicious plant-based restaurants that are free to their communities, finally buy a house in Chicago with a yard for my dog, and spend one month out of every year living in a different country.