Sanctuary Doc tells visual stories of compassion for animals within our world’s biggest challenges
Our Core Values
Journalistic Integrity, Compassion, Education, Approachability and Mindfulness. We tell fact-based stories in an approachable way that reach a wide audience and promote productive conversations about animal and human rights while holding space for creating external and internal change.
Our Mission
Sanctuary tells visual stories of compassion for animals and the people who rescue them within the world’s biggest challenges. Through compelling storytelling and fact-based photojournalism, Sanctuary educates, inspires and encourages compassion for both human and nonhuman animals.
Our Vision
By holding true to our mission, Sanctuary Doc intends to collaborate with global and grassroots partners to raise awareness, educate audiences and move people to action for a peaceful and compassionate world.
Collaborators
Sabina Diethelm is a freelance photographer and journalist based in Winterthur, Switzerland. Thanks to her years-long experience as a journalist, editor, and more recently as a documentary photographer, she is an expert storyteller, but creating “Transfarming Switzerland” was the first time she co-produced a film - the subject matter of which is very close to her heart.
Sabina Diethelm is a Pro Member of The Raw Society and her work has been exhibited at photoSCHWEIZ twice and published in several publications, including Tagblatt, SWISS Magazine and Fujilove Magazine. Visit Sabina’s website and follow her on Instagram.
Oleksandr Portian is an independent documentarian and award-winning Director of Photography born in Sosnytsia, Ukraine. As the director of photography for the Ukrainer team, he completed four ethnographic expeditions telling stories from all the corners of Ukraine, rethinking historic and cultural DNA.
He is the editor of 10 short documentary films and creator of the feature film "Wild Wild City", the story about the Kyiv Animal Rescue Group, the detachment of volunteers who rescue animals that are in emergency situations in Ukraine. Oleksandr has worked with the Sanctuary team as a producer, making so much of the coverage of animal rescue during the Russian invasion of Ukraine possible.
Follow Oleksandr on Instagram.
Alexis Liohn is an artist and photographer dedicated to advocating for animals in the United States. She has filmed rodeos and pigeon shoots with SHARK (Showing Animals Respect and Kindness) and a chained dog in need for PETA.
She has volunteered with wildlife and animal rescues in addition to teaching humane education. Liohn believes animal rights is a social justice issue and that animals are sentient and deserving of respect and protection.
She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a Master's in Art.
Follow Alexis on Instagram and read our interview with Alexis about her work at Saffyre Sanctuary.
Kayla Green is a journalist and editor based in the American South who has been working in the trenches of local news since 2009.
Amid a growing crisis of expanding news deserts across the country, she is the executive editor of two newspapers in South Carolina and on the Alabama Gulf Coast and part of a leadership team that turns failing, local, family-owned newspapers into profitable business models through advertising and newsroom makeovers, transforming traditionally print-only outlets into full-fledged multimedia companies.
She is the writer and copy editor-in-chief for The Raw Society Magazine and a guest writing mentor for TRS.
Kayla has been awarded on the state and national level for her writing and newsroom leadership, including Editor & Publisher’s 25 Under 35 Next Gen of News Professionals and reporting on topics ranging from art and entertainment to heroin addiction and child trafficking. A writer at heart, she finds fulfillment in working with rising journalists to hone their writing and reporting skills, helping them identify their strengths and use them to be the best versions of their individuality. Follow her on Instagram and read her Sanctuary Doc story, Street Vets.
Our Board
Thomas Machowicz, Board President. Thomas is a photographer and filmmaker focusing on animal rescue efforts and social issues. He started documenting animal rescue in 2018 after a visit to Sibu Sanctuary in Nosara, Costa Rica. In 2023, Thomas and Molly Condit co-founded Sanctuary Doc.
Thomas considers himself a conduit for stories meant to raise the consciousness of humanity and uses photography, film, lectures, mentorships and workshops as tools to explore and share the human experience.
Thomas' work has been published by BBC News, The Associated Press, Reuters, Libération, Vox, The Raw Society and We Animals Media. He is a Pro Member of The Raw Society and as a regular contributor to We Animals Media his work has been featured in multiple animal rights campaigns.
He is also the owner and creative director of Songbird Productions.
Brandi Dilday, Board Secretary. Brandi is a native Tucsonan who has had a lifelong love of animals. For as long as she can remember, she has been involved with veterinary medicine, rescue, fostering and adoptions. She’s volunteered with the country shelter and many local rescues.
In the last few years, she's taken a break from rescue as her current forever pup, Darla, prefers to be an only “child.” She currently lives in Tucson with her husband and son.
Diana Hulet, Grants. Diana is a Pacific Northwest-based environmental writer, animal photojournalist, and yoga teacher with over three decades of experience in yoga philosophy and contemplative traditions. After establishing her own studio and leading trainings and retreats internationally, Diana pivoted her attention and set off to complete a Bachelor of Science degree at Oregon State University in 2017, focusing on environmental ethics, ecology, and climate change. In her later studies, she confirmed the insights from her childhood experiences of snorkeling and scuba diving: our lives are intricately interwoven with the vitality of the Earth’s ecosystems.
During her time on the OSU faculty, Diana's growing concern for the well-being of animals prompted her to pick up a camera again and begin documenting the details of their lives. Her ongoing project, What if We Saw Them, encourages reflection on our relationship with animals in various contexts, advocating for compassion as a catalyst for systemic change. Diana also embarked on the writing project Dove & Doe, sharing inspiring stories about the natural world and environmental awareness.
Board Alumna
Molly Condit, Co-Founder. Molly is a commercial and portrait photographer, filmmaker, animal photo journalist, owner of Great Bear Media, and co-founder of Sanctuary Doc.
She began her professional career in the post production field in 2006, working primarily in broadcast media and notably, as an assistant film editor for the Oscar-winning feature length documentary “Man on Wire” (2009) under Jinx Godfrey. Over the past decade, she has cemented a passion for documenting humans and especially animals, and the inextricable bonds between them. Commercial work is also a main focus, from producing stills for advertising campaigns to capturing behind the scenes production visuals for both client and agency. She has worked with a range of clients including Capital One, Fisher Investments, Veterinary Emergency Group, Meta and University of Arizona Health Sciences, among others.
Molly’s dedication for animal advocacy has led to work with domestic rescue organizations and sanctuaries as well as volunteer work abroad. Her recent coverage of PETA Germany’s animal transports in Poland and Ukraine has been published in National Geographic and she is a regular contributor to We Animals Media whose visual stock site platform provides free visuals to animal rights organizations.
Based in Arizona, she’s fortunate enough to live with rescue felines who remind her daily just how lucky she is to be their human.