Annoula Wylderich is a personal development coach, author, entrepreneur, and animal activist. She was among the top ten finalists in Peta's "2010 Sexiest Vegetarians" contest, giving her the opportunity to further advocate on behalf of a plant-based diet and to raise awareness of animal exploitation in the food, fashion, entertainment and laboratory industries.

Annoula, who grew up in Ohio, previously worked for nonprofits in Cleveland as a Program Director in the field of neighborhood revitalization. She parlayed her experience into a subsequent business as a real estate redeveloper concentrating her efforts in Ohio, Florida and Nevada.

She is the author of The Las Vegas Showgirl Diet, a vegetarian-based plan that she has successfully used to help clients change their bodies and life by adopting a more compassionate way of eating and living that does not contribute to the suffering of animals. She believes that eating meat and its byproducts is essentially paying others to torture, mutilate and murder animals; and thus, does not wish to be complicit in their misery.

Annoula works with over 20 national and global animal welfare organizations to help further their message and to encourage participation in campaigns that raise awareness and take active steps to address animal rights and welfare issues. In her spare time, she volunteers at a local shelter, conducts rescues and investigations, and helps to broaden the public's education about animal exploitation. Her non-animal oriented pursuits include designing jewelry and a "vintage glam" line of home and personal one-of-a-kind accessories, including furniture. She is active in outdoor sports and health-oriented activities, most of which include her Yorkie, Chloe. Additionally, she is a bereavement counselor and offers assistance free of charge to those in need.

Annoula was recently appointed Director of Animal Rights and Welfare Education at BUI and will be helping to expand the organization to encompass global issues regarding animal exploitation on all levels. She will collaborate on campaigns and liaise with other organizations to promote the mutual cause of protecting animals and the environment. She welcomes advocacy groups to contact her with information about campaigns and issues, and to post comments on our blogs. Annoula and BUI look forward to working with various organizations in an effort to encourage compassionate living and public awareness.