Speakers

Lara de Leon

Lara is an equity partner with the law firm of Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete working out of its offices in San Antonio, Texas, and Orange County, California. She is an experienced trial lawyer and client advocate. Her extensive career has involved representing companies of all sizes, across many industries, in all aspects of employment law. Lara has successfully defended clients in the courtroom, before administrative agencies, and on appeal.

In addition to litigation, Lara has spent her career partnering with clients to counsel them through complex issues involving employee discrimination and retaliation, harassment, leave of absence and workplace accommodations.

Julie Nash, CVPM, PHR, SHRM-CP

Julie Nash is a management consultant with over twenty years of experience working in veterinary hospitals. Prior to consulting, Julie spent eight years as a Hospital Administrator at a ten-doctor practice that provided general, 24-hour emergency, and specialty services. Inspired by the owner's vision, she led the hospital team to double profitability and nearly triple revenue during her tenure. In 2011, Julie became a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) by the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA). Julie became certified as a Professional in Human Resources in 2010, and additionally, she is certified by the Society for Human Resource Management as a Certified Professional. In 2014, Julie shifted her primary focus towards leading other practices as a consultant and founded Practice Moxie, her independent consulting firm. 
 
Before her career in management, Julie worked for many years in private practices as a technician and also spent six years at the University of Florida (UF) College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. There, she received advanced training in anesthesia/pain management, critical care nursing, and oncology. It was at UF that Julie realized how much she enjoyed teaching veterinary team members and discovered her desire to help others grow. She is passionate about patient care and interacting with veterinary team members. 
 
Over the last two years, Julie has narrowed her consulting focus to training and team development as her primary interest. Julie became a Master Trainer through the Association for Talent Development in 2016 and completed a Certificate Program in Coaching also through ATD. Additionally, Julie is a professional member of the National Speakers Association and a member of VetPartners. 
 
More recently, Julie has partnered with Animal Care Technologies and the VHMA to develop an online certificate course, the first-ever veterinary-specific "train the trainer" program. Julie works with practices nationwide to revolutionize their training systems and empower their trainers with compelling and effective training techniques. 

Heather Prendergast, RVT, CVPM, SPHR

Heather has spent over 30 years in the veterinary industry, with 20 years in small animal practice. She has taught for several years for both veterinary technology and assistance programs and has authored the book “Front Office Management for the Veterinary Team”, with the 4th edition to be released summer of 2023. Heather has also authored the book “Review Questions and Answers for Veterinary Technicians” that are preparing to sit for the VTNE, now in its 6th edition.

Heather is well known and lectures nationally and internationally and has authored several articles with the goal of developing leadership and culture in practices while employing appropriate team leveraging to increase efficiency and enhance the ‘flow of services’ in the veterinary practice.

When she is not lecturing, writing, or consulting, she instructs the Practice Management courses with Appalachian State University, volunteers for industry groups, and serves as President-Elect with the Viticus Group (formally known as WVC) Board of Directors, as Secretary with the Pet Nutrition Alliance, and as a Board Director with NAVTA.