Compassion in World Farming is thrilled to welcome Matthew Dominguez as our new U.S. Director. With over 15 years of nonprofit and animal advocacy experience, Matthew brings a proven track record of driving transformative change for animals and building more humane, sustainable food systems. He has held key leadership roles at The Humane Society of the United States, Voters for Animal Rights, Barn Sanctuary and SEED, where he spearheaded innovative campaigns, fostered organizational growth and led coalitions that achieved historic victories for animals.

Now, Matthew will lead our efforts to end factory farming in the U.S., working alongside our talented team to drive strategic campaigns, build powerful partnerships and advance higher-welfare food systems across the nation. Ro Conder, our U.S. Director of Philanthropy, met Matthew for the first time in person in New York City at one of their favorite cafes, chloe. for a Q&A session. We hope you enjoy learning more about Matthew’s inspiring journey and vision for the future of farmed animal welfare:

 

Ro: Welcome to the team, Matt! We are thrilled you are here. As the new U.S. Director here at Compassion in World Farming, I’m curious—what inspired you to become such a passionate advocate for farmed animals? Was there a defining moment or experience that set you on this path?

Matthew: I spent my childhood summers working on my grandmother’s cattle ranch, where I came to know farmed animals as individuals—with their unique personalities, preferences, capacity for love and the deep family bonds between mother and calf. These experiences planted a seed that, years later, would awaken into a profound recognition of their sentience and a duty to protect them from abuse.

That awakening came while I was attending Lewis & Clark Law School, when I watched a documentary exposing the treatment of animals on factory farms. It felt like a calling. I vividly remember looking into the eyes of a mother pig crammed into a gestation crate, unable to move more than a step forward or back for her entire life. In her eyes, I saw sadness, despair and helplessness. At that moment, I knew I couldn’t live with myself if I sat idly by and failed to do everything in my power to end this suffering.

That moment solidified my moral obligation to fight for farmed animals and made clear that I needed to use my privilege and my voice—not just to speak, but to shout into the winds of apathy and help change the course of history for these animals.

Ro: What a powerful story, Matt. Thank you for sharing. I feel like I need to pause here. That was so moving. I still have more questions for you though! Okay, I am pulling myself together and eager to know what drew you to this particular position? Was there something about our mission or this moment in time that made you feel this was where you were meant to be?

Matthew: I decided to join Compassion in World Farming because its mission to end factory farming perfectly aligns with my own personal mission: to relegate the largest cause of suffering on the planet—factory farming—to the waste bin of history. CIWF holds a unique and vital position within the animal protection movement, standing out as an organization with the reach, strategic vision and influence to drive change on an unparalleled scale.

By meeting people where they are, CIWF delivers a powerful and positive message—one that serves as a beacon of hope and transformation. Through education, collaboration and solutions-focused advocacy, it inspires a vision for a world where farmed animals are seen and treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. I am deeply honored to join such a dedicated organization that strives each day to make the world a better place for farmed animals.

Ro: I feel the same and know exactly what you mean. Okay Matt, here’s a fun question for you—if you could pick just one food to eat every day, what would it be? Is there a story or special memory behind your choice?

Matthew: I could eat here at chloe. every day, thanks to my dear friend and personal hero Chef Chloe. She’s a bright light of positivity and a true force for good in the world. Her passion for making plant-based food delicious, affordable and fun has inspired so many, including me. I love the taco salad, mac & cheese and cinnamon roll—trust me, it’s a game-changer. Her food isn’t just a meal; it’s a joyful celebration of plant-based living.

Ro: Well said! I love her chocolate cake and kale Caesar salad. I can’t tell you how many mac & cheese cups I have had. It was one of the first things I ate when I moved to NYC. Speaking of heroes, I’m curious—who are the role models that have shaped your journey? Is there anyone whose leadership or values particularly inspire you in the work we’re doing?

Matthew: Two of my greatest role models are Jane Goodall and Steven M. Wise.

Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking work with chimpanzees not only transformed our understanding of animals but also redefined how we see ourselves in relation to them. She leads with compassion, humility and relentless determination, embodying what it means to be a voice for the voiceless. Her lifelong commitment to protecting animals and environmental stewardship is a powerful reminder that one person’s passion and perseverance can truly change the world.

Steve, through his pioneering work in animal law and the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP), has been a relentless force for justice for animals in the legal system. His fight to secure legal rights for animals inspires me to challenge societal norms and work toward systemic change. Steve’s vision—that animals are not property but individuals deserving of basic rights—has profoundly changed my life and the world I want to see. It was one of the greatest honors of my life to call Steve my professor during law school and later my colleague at NhRP. His words, “This isn’t the beginning of the end, but the end of the beginning,” remind me that this work for animals is not a sprint but a marathon. Historic change takes time, persistence and unwavering dedication. And with that perseverance over time, change will come. It’s not a matter of if, but when we will finally see the end of systematic animal abuse.

Both Jane and Steve exemplify what it means to dedicate one’s life to making the world a kinder, fairer place for animals. Their courage, conviction and tenacity motivate me to fight for farmed animals with the same determination, persistence and hope.

Ro: If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Matthew: If I could have any superpower, it would be the ability to speak to animals. I say "speak" rather than "communicate" because animals already communicate with humans through their behavior, body language, and cries—but too often, this communication is ignored. When you look at a farmed animal on a factory farm, like an egg-laying hen trapped in a barren battery cage, their suffering is evident from their movements and expressions. Yet, as a society, we turn away.

I wish I could speak to them to tell them I see their pain, that I am trying, and that they are loved. What breaks my heart the most is not only the immense suffering they endure but also the fear and confusion from not understanding why this is happening. As humans, we can comfort and give hope to one another in times of hardship. Animals, however, are left in a purgatory of fear that must feel like hell.

If I could talk to them, I’d want to understand their experiences better, learn how to advocate more effectively for their protection, and let them know they are not forgotten. This superpower would be a step closer to building a world where every living being feels seen, valued, and safe.

Ro: I love that answer. Thank you. What values are most important to you?

Matthew: The values I hold most dear are compassion, integrity, and perseverance—values instilled in me from a young age by my parents, coaches, and in my later years, my closest friends and colleagues. They are ones I strive to personify every day. Compassion drives me to empathize with others and take action to alleviate suffering, integrity ensures I approach my work with honesty and moral responsibility, and perseverance sustains me through challenges, reminding me that meaningful change requires dedication over time.

However, as we all do, I sometimes fall short of fully living up to these values. For me, it’s not about perfection but about continually striving to do better than the day before. These values are a reminder that the better parts of us are often shaped by the love and contributions of others along the way. I’m deeply grateful for the support and guidance of my mom, dad, sister, grandparents, colleagues and friends, who have helped shape who I am today.

As U.S. Director, I hope my team, supporters, and donors will hold me accountable to these values and give me the opportunity to grow alongside them. Together, through mutual accountability and a shared commitment to these ideals, I believe, I know we can create a kinder, more just world for farmed animals.

Ro: Thank you, Matt. I look forward to growing alongside you too. Next question—what’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Matthew: I've received such incredible advice over my career that it’s hard to choose just one piece. But here is one that profoundly shaped my perspective:

"Find the level of hypocrisy you can live with and commit to reevaluating and doing better over time." This advice, shared with me by a law professor at Lewis & Clark while struggling with my internal decision to move to a plant-based diet. Her advice reminds me that we can never fully remove ourselves from contributing to suffering. Every action we take—whether it’s the items we buy or how we show up in the world—has an impact on others. Striving for perfection, while admirable, is often a fool’s errand and can sometimes cause more harm than good. Instead, I aim to live my life and approach my advocacy through the lens of always striving to do a little better than the day before.

Like the fight for animals, incremental steps, over time, can overcome vast distances. And those distances have real impacts on animals—not always for thousands or millions, but at the very least for a single individual animal. Knowing that at the end of my life, I’ve helped even one animal live a better life—what could be more meaningful than that?

Ro: I agree, Matt. What are your personal hopes and dreams for the future?

I dream and hope for a world without factory farming. Period. I can’t think of a single change to our society that would have a greater impact on the lives of innocent beings—farmed animals—while also profoundly benefiting humans and the environment. However, this outcome feels more like a goal, a destination we’re working toward, rather than a dream or hope.

If I allow myself to be more philosophical, I dream of a future where compassion flows abundantly through our society, where we care for one another deeply and seek connection and unity over division and dogmatic ideologies that pull us apart. I hope for a world where all living beings—humans, animals, and the ecosystems we all depend on—are respected and cherished as gifts to be protected, not as resources to exploit.

I dream of a future where love guides our choices, where every living being feels seen and valued, and where our collective humanity reflects the very best of us. I hold onto the hope that we can rise above the noise of indifference, greed, and selfishness to rebuild a world where kindness reigns supreme, justice triumphs over evil, and all creatures have the freedom to live lives full of joy, safety, and peace. For as long as I live, I’ll strive toward this future—one shaped by compassion, boundless and unstoppable.

Ro: Amazing. With our donors and supporters by our side, I believe we can make that goal of ending factory farming happen. I look forward to you connecting with the incredible people who invest in our work. Thanks so much, Matt! This was fun. We are thrilled to have you on board.

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We hope you enjoyed this opportunity to get to know Matthew and his inspiring vision for a more compassionate world. His passion, experience and dedication to ending factory farming are already energizing our mission, and we’re excited for the journey ahead. Together with supporters like you, we can create a food system rooted in kindness, sustainability and respect for all living beings. Thank you for being an essential part of this movement—your commitment makes everything we do possible.

Learn more about our U.S. Team.