Leadership

Headshot of Jessica Speas

Jessica Speas, CVPM, SPHR, PHRca, SHRM-SCP, CCFP.

President

Jessica Speas, CVPM, SPHR, PHRca, SHRM-SCP, CCFP (La Crescenta, CA)

Jessica has been the Hospital Administrator of her family’s small animal practice in Southern California since 2002. Her practice is truly a family affair, her father is a veterinarian, and her sister is an RVT, all working together. Jessica decided against a career in medicine early on but fell in love with the profession and the celebration of the Human-Animal Bond.

Jessica completed the Veterinary Management Institute (AAHA/VMI) program at Purdue in 2008, she earned the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) designation in 2010 and achieved the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification in 2015 with a specialty certification for California Human Resources (PHRca). Additionally, in 2015 Jessica earned the Society of Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). Jessica completed the Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional certification in 2017. To reaffirm her commitment to the Human-Animal Bond Jessica earned the Human-Animal Bond Certified designation in 2019. Most recently, Jessica completed the Workplace Wellbeing Certificate in 2020 and the Brave Space Certificate in 2021, both from the American Veterinary Medical Association. Jessica lives by the motto, perfection is not realistic; continuous improvement is.

Since 2013 Jessica has served on the VHMA Board of Directors. She served two terms as a Director, one term as Secretary, and most recently Vice President. In addition to her roles on the board, she has served as the Program Committee Chair, transiting the committee to the Education and Programing Advisory Group and serving as co-chair. Jessica has a commitment to lifelong learning and has provided innovative and new educational opportunities for VHMA members.

Headshot of Kim

Kim Hettinga, BSN, CVPM

Secretary

Kim Hettinga, BSN, CVPM (Seattle, WA)

Kim's passion for the veterinary industry began when she started working at a small-animal hospital in Seattle while earning her BS in Nursing from the University of Washington. This experience fueled her excitement for education, leadership, mentoring, working with diverse teams, and promoting the success of individual team members. After becoming a VHMA member in 2000, she realized the opportunities for developing personally and professionally in veterinary medicine were endless.

She found her permanent home as the Hospital Administrator of AAHA-accredited, Elliott Bay Animal Hospital in Seattle where she has worked for 26 years and considers herself extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to work for a practice owner that supported her desire to enhance her education in veterinary hospital management. Through her leadership and collaboration with the team, they have grown from a one and a half DVM hospital to an 8-DVM, 40+ team member practice. In 2018, Elliott Bay Animal Hospital was awarded the Readers' Choice Poll Winner as the Best Veterinary Practice in Seattle.

Kim’s enthusiasm and involvement with the VHMA encouraged her to earn her Certificate in Veterinary Practice Administration from Purdue University in 2001. With her owners’ support and encouragement from the VHMA, she was inspired to earn the designation of Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) in 2006. This continues to be one of the accomplishments she is the proudest of. For three years, she volunteered by serving on the ACE committee for the AAHA to develop management continuing education programs. She has volunteered and supported the VHMA as a member of the Education and Programming Advisory Group and has served the last two years on the VHMA Board of Directors.

In 2021, Kim was offered and accepted the position of Hospital Administrator and COO for four privately owned practices in the greater Seattle area that employs 15 veterinarians and approximately 85 support team members. She is thrilled to expand her role and work with an extremely talented group of people.

Kim is eternally grateful for the benefits of being a member of the VHMA. She is excited to continue sharing her passion, experience and energy to give back to our association!

Headshot of Kim Jacobs

Kim Jacobs, CVPM, CCFP

Director

Kim Jacobs, CVPM, CCFP (Hickory Creek, TX)

Kim's career was the best happy accident ever. She stumbled upon a help-wanted ad for local veterinary practice in town. After spending 13 years in retail leadership, she was ready for a change. At first, she was the only employee, so she worked every position within the practice. She was promoted to practice manager in 2004, and all the tumblers fell into place and unlocked her passion. With her leadership and the help of a supportive practice owner, they have grown the practice to four doctors and 14 support staff. Kim's innovative thinking led to a daycare for clinic staff in a new hospital she helped design and build.

Kim joined the VHMA in 2007 and was awestruck with the education and information that was available to her as a new manager. In 2010 she earned the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) certification and welcomed a growing network of colleagues who achieved this milestone. She found herself thinking "My People"!

In 2014 she volunteered to serve on the VHMA Ethics Committee, and in 2019 she was promoted to the Chair role. Outside of VHMA, she has worked with other colleagues in the Compassion Fatigue sector to moderate an online group providing support and hope for those dealing with compassion fatigue and burnout. She earned certification in Compassion Fatigue in 2020. She looks forward to the opportunity to give back by serving on the VHMA Board.

Headshot of Christine

Christine Shupe, CAE

Executive Director

Christine Shupe, CAE

Christine graduated from the State University of New York College at Oswego with a Bachelor of Arts degree, major in Political Science. Christine started her career as an administrative assistant for the lobbying firm of Shea and Gould in Albany, NY. Christine continued her career at the New York State Legislature as the Legislative Aid to Assemblywoman Frances T. Sullivan. Christine joined the association management firm of Capitol Hill Management Services where she first started serving as the Executive Director to the VHMA in 1998. In 2003, Christine earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation awarded by the American Society of Association Executives. After moving from New York to Florida, Christine started her own management company, CQS Management Service, LLC where she continues to serve as the VHMA Executive Director.

Headshot of Scott Zimmerman

Scott Zimmerman, BFA, CVPM

Vice President

Scott Zimmerman, BFA, CVPM (Decatur, GA)

Scott began working veterinary medicine in 2010 as the Practice Manager for Dearborn Animal Hospital in Decatur, GA. Prior to his current position he spent 25+ years working in the field of non-profit management, working for mainly youth leadership and development programs such as Boy Scouts of America and Camp Fire USA. He also spent time as the Managing Director for a professional theatre Company. Scott has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Technical Design and Production in Drama from the University of Oklahoma.

Scott has had many highlights during his time as Practice Manager, including overseeing the design and build-out of a new hospital. He led his team, meeting the standards of AAHA and becoming an accredited hospital. Growing his practice from three to seven doctors and more than doubling his staff and budget in the past nine years. Joining the VMHA has allowed him to continue to grow his knowledge and build a network of other top professionals. In 2015, he achieved one of his goals, becoming a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM).

Scott joined the VHMA Membership Committee/Advisory Panel in 2014 and in 2015 stepped into the role of committee chair, until Joining the Board of Directors two years ago. Since then Scott has been serving on the VHMA Board, first as a Director and then as Treasurer. He is a member of the task force on Value Based Pricing – Strategic Pricing in Veterinary Practices. He always enjoys serving as a conference buddy for our new members and/or first-time attendees at the VHMA conferences.

Headshot of Meghan Bingham

Meghan Bingham, CVPM

Director

Meghan Bingham, CVPM (Houston, TX)

Twenty-five years ago, Meghan started a summer job as a Kennel Technician at her neighborhood vet clinic and never left! She worked her way up over the years from Kennel Technician to Veterinary Technician to Receptionist and eventually settled in as Practice Manager. She’s helped grow the clinic from a one-doctor, to a 12-doctor practice and jokes that she has held every position but veterinarian!

Meghan earned her CVPM certification in 2017 after being elected one of the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association’s Emerging Leaders and was chosen as a finalist for DVM360s Practice Manager of the Year in 2018!

A VHMA member since 2016, Meghan is proud to have served on VHMA’s rebranding committee, which created the new VHMA logo and branding. She learned so much in the process and was excited to serve as the Chair of VHMA’s Marketing Committee.

Meghan is so thankful for all the VHMA has provided her personally and professionally. Through this group, she’s made life-long friends and learned how to be a better manager. The support from the VHMA has been tremendous and crucial to Meghan’s professional growth.

Meghan enjoys almost everything related to practice management and feels like it’s her job to help set her team up for success. She’s passionate about making preventative medicine a priority and increasing heartworm and flea compliance. She’s also extremely proud for having the first Fear Free Certified Clinic in Texas!

Headshot of Jessica Molina

Jessica Molina, CCFP, CVPM, PHR

Director

Jessica Molina, CCFP, CVPM, PHR (Rye, NH)

For the last 19 years, Jessica has not only been a veterinary professional but a military spouse. She spent her career relocating with the Navy, which offered her the opportunity to work in several practices around the country. Like many managers, she's held just about every position in a clinic along the way. She is a Georgia native and a University of Missouri graduate, where she completed a Bachelor's in General Studies focused specifically in the areas of Business, Education, and Human Development. In 2008, while working for Pet Care in Virginia Beach, she was promoted into management. A few years later, she moved to Whidbey Island, WA, where she shifted into remote recruiting and management consulting for Pet Care while serving in an HR role for a manufacturing, distribution, and retail company. In 2016, she earned certification through HRCI as a Professional in Human Resources. That same year, she landed a full-time management position back in the veterinary industry with a multi-doctor Fear Free companion and exotic clinic, Best Friend's Veterinary Center. The following year, she was inspired to become a Fear Free Level I Certified professional. Another military move in 2018 landed her in the Pensacola area and a new adventure as Hospital Administrator for Lee Veterinary Clinic, a large multi-doctor mixed animal practice in Atmore, AL. This same year, she earned her Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) certification and certification as a Compassion Fatigue Professional. A year later, she was named Practice Manager of the Year by DVM360 and the VHMA. In 2020, she pushed herself a bit further, digging into her passion for innovation and leadership, obtaining her certification in the Human-Animal Bond as well as becoming a Fear Free Elite! In the fall of 2020, she was asked to join her VMG DVM peers as the Director of Operations leading Hospital Administration and Practice Manager coaching for their group of hospitals in the New England area. Jessica has been a member of the VHMA since 2016 and has actively supported the CVPM program volunteering her time to examination development.

Headshot of Leslie

Leslie Boudreau, BASVT, RVTg, CVPM, PHR, PHRca

Treasurer

Leslie Boudreau, BASVT, RVTg, CVPM, PHR, PHRca (Huntington Beach, CA)

Leslie has been a Veterinary Technologist and Practice Manager in Southern California for over 30 years. She earned her A.S. in Veterinary Technology from Mt. San Antonio College and her BASVT in Veterinary Technology – Hospital Management, from St. Petersburg College. In 2011, she became a CVPM (Certified Veterinary Practice Manager). Leslie also holds three human resources certifications which she uses every day at her busy practice of 50 staff members. Leslie is currently the Practice Manager/Administrator at Animal Hospital of Huntington Beach, an eight veterinarian, AAHA-accredited, small animal and exotic practice.

In addition to practice management, she is very passionate about veterinary technician issues and is the immediate past President for CaRVTA (California Registered Veterinary Technician Association). She sits on the advisory boards for two veterinary technician colleges and volunteers on AVMA site visit teams as the RVT member. She was appointed to the AVMA task force on Technician Utilization as a representative for VHMA.

Leslie has authored practice management articles for Firstline Magazine and was a practice management consultant for Novartis Animal Health. In addition, Leslie speaks on a wide range of practice management topics as a presenter for local practice management and veterinary technician conferences and programs.

Leslie is very active with the Orange County Veterinary Hospital Manager’s Group and is a founding member and frequent speaker. The goal of the group is to mentor and encourage local managers to become CVPM’s.

Leslie is avid about all aspects of veterinary practice management and helping the profession grow and adapt to future changes. Since 2013, she has enjoyed volunteering her time with the VHMA. She served on the Program Committee and then in 2017 was elected as a Director and in 2019 as the Secretary to the VHMA Board.

Headshot of Karli Carter

Karli Carter, CVPM

Director

Karli Carter, CVPM (Payson, UT)

Karli started her career in veterinary medicine after obtaining her veterinary assistant certification in 2005. She was hired on at Payson Family Pet Hospital in Payson, UT after completing the required internship hours for the program. She worked as the lead technician for three years, and in 2009 she accepted the office manager position after the current manager retired. The two positions melded together into a practice manager role.

During her tenure at Payson Family Pet Hospital, the clinic grew from one doctor and eight staff, to eight doctors and 50 staff. They built a new building in 2009 and that same year they became AAHA accredited. In 2016, she bought a portion of Payson Family Pet Hospital and is now one of three owners of the clinic. The hospital is continuing to grow and is currently expanding their building and staff even more.

In 2014, she discovered the VHMA, and it forever changed her career. She was awarded the 2015 Emerging Leaders scholarship and earned her Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) designation in 2015. Since then, she has had a chance to serve on the Partner's For Healthy Pets Advisory Board and Chair the VHMA Membership Committee. In 2019 Karli was elected to serve as a Director to the VHMA Board.

Michelle Gonzales-Bryant

Michelle Gonzales-Bryant, CVPM

Past President

Michelle Gonzales-Bryant, CVPM (Tempe, AZ)

I began my veterinary career over 27 years ago as a Kennel Attendant and a Veterinary Assistant. I put myself through Veterinary Technician School and spent my first two years as a surgery technician. I have worked in every department of an animal hospital and, through my years, focused on learning everything I could about the operations of an animal hospital. I found my home at University Animal Hospital in Tempe, AZ. University Animal Hospital is a small animal hospital with 12 doctors and 70+ staff and a large boarding facility with 156 dog runs and 50 cat condos. I started at University Animal Hospital in 1995. In June 2016, I took on a new role as a Regional Operations Director. This new position requires me to oversee the operations of multiple animal hospitals. I appreciate that I have worked in various positions, as this helps keep me grounded to appreciate what every associate provides to the success of any hospital. Building strong relationships is as important to me as everything else.

In 2010, I earned my Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) designation, and I have been an active member of the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) since 2006. I currently serve on the VHMA Board of Directors as the President.

My husband and I recently adopted two daughters. They are sisters and are 11 months apart in age: Lyric and Harmonie. We call them our forever song!

We also have three amazing pit bulls. Ages 11, 10, and 7. Lulu, Buddy, and Levi, and we have had them since they were each a puppy. They enjoy hanging out with our daughters and hoping they get to steal some snacks.