Laurie Ubben

Founder

Laurie Ubben is a producer, mother, animal lover, introvert, dreamer, and supporter of multiple for- and not-for-profit endeavors. Laurie grew up in Darien, Connecticut, where she attended public high school before earning a BA from Duke University in 1984. She married her college sweetheart 40 years ago, and together they became heavily involved in the business of raising three human beings.

She co-founded the Bird Music School in San Francisco in 2000, which she ran for five years before handing it off to her business partner in order to work on nonprofits that focus on animal rights, environmental causes, and higher education. In 2017, she was Executive Producer of Loving Vincent, the Academy Award Nominated animated feature.

Laurie finds that every animal she meets—whether up close or from afar—changes, emboldens and enlightens her. Her passion for animals has benefitted Goatlandia, The World Wildlife Fund, Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue, San Francisco’s SPCA and Muttville among others. Laurie has also been involved in such organizations as A.C.T., North Beach Citizens, Youth Speaks, and Bread and Roses. An ardent Francophile, Laurie (and Jeff) purchased a farm in Lourmarin, France in 2014, where they produce biodynamic wines and olive oils and provide refuge for a number of rescue animals. 

While sheltering in place in Healdsburg, California, Laurie dreamt of an exclusively plant-based restaurant featuring workshops and programming that champion culinary, performing and visual artists, craftspeople, writers, farmers, and environmental stewards of all kinds.