Sonja Van Tichelen

Sonja has more than 25 years of experience leading animal welfare advocacy campaigns across Europe. She contributed to legislation banning the keeping of hens in battery cages, the use of animals for cosmetic testing and strict rules for the keeping of animals in zoos. In 2012 she joined IFAW committed to help protect wildlife.

As Vice President of International Operations at IFAW, she helps us deploy wherever we’re needed, respond to the realities on the ground, and get the job done.

Sonja previously led IFAW’s EU office in Brussels and as European Regional Director worked with IFAW’s offices in The Hague, Germany, and France. Under her leadership, we successfully lobbied the European Union (and the World Trade Organization) to develop and enforce world-class protections for wildlife and habitats.