Speakers

Speakers

Johana Beresky, MBA, CVPM

Johana has built a career around her obsession with emerging technology, efficient processes, and the customer experience. Her approach is simple: collaborate with veterinary professionals to identify a technology or process that will help them achieve their personal and professional goals. She is a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager with over 25 years of experience in the veterinary industry. Johana has presented nationally at practice management meetings and speaks regularly to veterinary owners and practice managers about strategy, tactical operations, and data management. Johana holds a bachelor's degree in Animal Science from Cornell University, and a Master's in Business Administration from Pepperdine University, and continues to be a lifelong learner, constantly seeking new opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Johana Beresky, MBA, CVPM
 

Melissa Cary, CVPM

Melissa has worked in veterinary medicine since she was a teenager. She refers to herself as a “lifer.” She began her career in large animal emergency medicine as a nurse. She later transitioned to a position as an ophthalmology technician, where she was introduced to a wider world of specialty veterinary medicine. It was here the Melissa was given the opportunity to be in a leadership role and discovered her passion for leading and caring for others. Melissa has a passion for communication and cultivating the culture within a hospital setting. She believes in a team-first approach to leadership and has been able to apply this approach in multiple hospital settings. Melissa has spent time working in general practice and specialty hospitals in a leadership role. She is currently the hospital director of an emergency and specialty hospital in Virginia. Melissa earned her CVPM in the summer of 2021.

Melissa Cary, CVPM

 

Susie Crockett, CVPM

Susie began her veterinary career as a receptionist in 1999 for a two-facility practice while attending Purdue University. Susie was then trained to take over Office Manager duties at the satellite location for the practice, eventually becoming the Practice Manager for Paw Prints Animal Hospital, an independent AAHA Accredited veterinary practice with full-service boarding and grooming. Susie graduated from Purdue University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Communication. She had a passion for Human Resources, particularly hiring and staff development.

After relocating to Indianapolis, Susie became the Practice Manager at Eagle Creek Animal Clinic. She quickly became active in the Veterinary Management Association of Indiana (VMAI). Susie became a board member of the VMAI, holding positions as Vice President in 2011 and President in 2012.
In 2014, Susie took on the position of Human Resource Director at IndyVet Emergency and Specialty Hospital, a 24-hour emergency, and referral practice with a team of over 60 members. She also helped oversee their associated general practice, 30th Street Animal Hospital.

Susie now works with Noah's Animal Hospitals. She began as a Practice Manager for two of their general practices and one emergency and specialty center. She is currently the Director of Practice Management for the entire company, overseeing the management and leadership of nine hospitals, representing general practice, emergency, specialty, and low-cost models.
Susie joined the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) in 2008. She earned her CVPM designation in 2009. She served on the Membership Committee and was a member of the 2013 Special Education Task Force. Susie has been a member of the CVPM Board since 2011 and is currently the Chair of the DEI Task Force. 

Susie finds staff development, team involvement, and practice cultures are her favorite areas of Veterinary Management. 

Susie Crockett, CVPM
 

Jon Cunnington, MBA, CVPMJ

Jon Cunnington earned a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Business Administration, working a few years as a Sales Representative calling on human hospitals in between. Upon completing his graduate training, he taught business courses at California State University, Chico, before entering the veterinary world and managing a three-doctor small animal hospital. Six years later, he was recruited to join a growing general/ER/multi-specialty hospital that would eventually become VCA Loomis Basin Veterinary Clinic. Jon served as Hospital Administrator at Loomis Basin for 17 years, earning the distinction of Certified Veterinary Practice Manager in 2005. He took on the role of Regional Operations Director for VCA in 2017, where he now supports specialty, emergency, and hybrid practices in four states. Jon is a past president of the VHMA and a founding member of the Sacramento Valley Veterinary Practice Managers Association. Jon’s speaking engagements have included VHMA,AAHA,AVMA, WVC, UC Davis, and other local veterinary associations.

Jon Cunnington, MBA, CVPMJ
 

Timothy A. Davis

Tim concentrates his practice on labor and employment law in the exclusive representation of management. In this capacity, he is recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as a "Top Ranked Labor & Employment Lawyer," By Ingram's as a "Best Lawyer" and by LRI as one of the "Top Labor Lawyers in America." He advises and defends clients on all aspects of the employer/employee relationship with a special focus on labor relations/union avoidance.  

Tim is also active in the human resources community as a member of the Society of Human Resource Management and former President of SHRM-KC. He has been invited to speak at the National SHRM convention on labor relations topics multiple times and regularly speaks for state and local SHRM and other professional and business associations.   

Timothy A. Davis
 

Emily Fink

As a Regional Specialty Marketing Manager for VCA, Emily Fink supports ten large specialty and emergency veterinary hospitals in Northern CA. She assists each hospital in building and maintaining relationships within the veterinary community through various forms of digital marketing, continuing education events, and more. Emily has been with VCA for 10 years, starting as a Client Service Representative. 

Originally from the Sacramento, CA area, Emily attended George Fox University near Portland, OR, where she studied Sociology and Business Marketing.

Emily Fink
 

Sheri Gilmartin, CVT

Sheri Gilmartin is a Credentialed Veterinary Technician and Vice President of Sales and Marketing for VetSuccess. She began her career in the veterinary profession over 26 years ago at a small animal practice outside of Boston. Since then, she's held various positions in both sales and marketing at Hill's Pet Nutrition, Vetsource, and Patterson Veterinary. Sheri is passionately committed to the veterinary industry and helping practices be more successful. She still lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two children, and two beloved pets.
Sheri Gilmartin, CVT
 

Jessica Johnson

Jessica Johnson is a Principal with The RBL Group and oversees intellectual property and product development. She works with organizations worldwide in various industries for both leadership development and strategic alignment of human resources. Jessica serves as an executive coach, teacher, and facilitator; and is dedicated to advancing the fields of Leadership and Strategic HR by connecting leaders with practical tools, leading edge theory, and opportunities to learn from each other. She has published articles and book chapters on developing high potential employees and coaching. Recent publications include a chapter in Marshall Goldsmith’s Coaching for Leadership: Writings on Leadership from the World’s Greatest Coaches, published by Jossey-Bass. Prior to RBL, Jessica worked with Cisco in strategic marketing. She consulted with various stakeholders within and outside of Cisco and provided analysis to promote data-driven strategy decisions. While at BearingPoint, a Washington DC-based consulting firm, Jessica worked both internally and consulted externally for the organization. She managed the operations for BearingPoint’s Global Delivery Centers in India and China, and worked with a number of clients in the public sector. She provided management and technical consulting support to one of the USDA’s largest change programs designed to reengineer core internal business operations including Financial Services and Human Resources. 

Jessica started off her post-graduate career working in Human Resources for civilian personnel in the US Department of the Army. Before completing her graduate degree Jessica was a live television sports producer of college football and basketball broadcasts for a regional network called SportsWest, a division of Bonneville International. Jessica holds an MBA from Brigham Young University and lives in Springville, Utah.

Jessica holds an MBA from Brigham Young University and lives in Springville, Utah.

Jessica Johnson
 

Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson is a Principal at BSM Partners, a leading marketing and product development agency in the pet and vet arenas. He regularly consults retailers and manufacturers on the dynamics of the pet industry and how-to best delight customers. In addition, Mr. Johnson frequently lectures on human, consumer, and pet trends. He has been a featured speaker at events for organizations such as PIDA, PIJAC, SuperZoo, AVMA, VSG, Petfood Workshop, APPA, and Pet Industry Executive Summit.

Michael Johnson

 

Lori Kleiman, SPHR, SHRM-SCP 

Been there – done that! With 30 years of human resource and business experience – Lori has walked in your shoes. A recovered HR Generalist, she built a consulting company that she sold to Arthur J. Gallagher after seven years and then reinvented her current business – HR Topics - training, speaking, and developing content for HR professionals. Lori delivers facts, tips, tricks, and best practices in a way that appeals to human resource and business leaders: with a sense of humor, a bias toward actions that improve their operations right away, and practical resources and tools to support their progress. As an annual speaker at the National SHRM conference, she has leveraged her masters in HR, SPHR, and SHRM-SCP background to elevate the position of all HR professionals!

Lori Kleiman, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
 

Kathleen Logan, MS, MA

Kathleen sounds like a woman who can’t keep a job! Actually, marriage to a naval aviator meant frequent moves and adjustments. She has been an elementary school teacher, navy officer, counselor for Navy Family Advocacy, college instructor, coordinator of Baptist Hospital’s Employee Assistance Program, and published author. She conducts seminars for businesses, civic organizations, and nonprofit groups on such topics as stress management, everyday courage, team building, effective communication, and dealing with changes and transitions. Education-wise, Kathleen has a bachelor’s in education from the University of Michigan, a master’s in Management from the Navy Postgraduate School, and a master's in Marriage and Family Therapy from the U.S. International University in San Diego. Her articles have been published in Toastmaster Magazine, On the Coast, and Council on Aging of West Florida’s Coming of Age. Her proudest achievement was the publication of “The Emotional Cycle of Deployment” in Naval Institute Proceedings in 1987. Reprints of it continue to be used throughout the U.S. military services, in Canada and Britain, and the article has been translated into several foreign languages. In 2010, she published the book Second Blooming for Women: Growing a Life that Matters after Fifty, written with co-author Dr. Betsy Smith. In 2015, she published her book Women’s Wisdom: Pass It On!, which has received several awards. Kathleen has a strong commitment to service. During hurricane recovery after Ivan, Dennis, and Katrina, she was volunteer Chair of the Resources Coordinating Committee which led to employment at United Way as Hurricane Recovery Grants Manager. She spent six years on the Big Brothers Big Sisters board, and more than ten on Council on Aging of West Florida, including as Chair in 2019 and 2020. Between 2016 and 2018, she volunteered at Pathways for Change, teaching life skills to seven groups of women recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. After the George Floyd killing and attendant protests, she established Together Pensacola: Building Our Community (ToP) in June 2020, a citizens’ group that works to improve race relations locally. Kathleen was presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020 by Marquis Who’s Who.

Kathleen Logan, MS, MA
 

Ray McGury 

Ray McGury, Executive Director of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), possesses a wealth of leadership experience gained through decades of providing strategic direction to influence organizational growth. Prior to joining CVMA in early 2022, Ray administered top-level direction in the law enforcement and parks and recreation industries. Additionally, he is the President and Founder of RJM Strategy Group, a company based in Naperville, Illinois, that provides comprehensive security strategy, expertise, and leadership to a wide variety of organizations and businesses. Ray's credentials include over 30 years of law enforcement and executive-level leadership experience, with tenure at the Naperville and Bolingbrook police departments, where he served as captain and chief of police, respectively. He also actively served as a SWAT member, Commander of the DuPage County Major Crimes Task Force, and an undercover operative for the State of Illinois and DEA Task Forces. Following his career in law enforcement, he served as the Executive Director of the Naperville Park District for nearly 14 years- an organization that serves the recreation, leisure, and park services needs of a community of approximately 150,000 residents. Ray's leadership at the District was instrumental in the organization's successful planning, development, and completion of multiple community facilities, in addition to attaining initial CAPRA national accreditation and renewals through the National Recreation and Park Association. Based on his decades of demonstrated expertise and leadership in law enforcement, criminal justice, community focus, and safety best practices, Ray has been a sought-after educator by some of the most well-known institutions, including Northwestern University, Lewis University, Marquette University, and College of DuPage. He has served as an instructor and facilitator for the Department of Homeland Security. Ray holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from St. Xavier University and a Master of Public Administration from Northern Illinois University also is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command and the Rocky Mountain Executive Management Program.Mike ZegaldoPrior to transitioning into a career in law enforcement, Mike served as a university administrator specializing in student development. As a police officer, Mike has served as a use of force instructor, patrol supervisor, and administrator. Mike has a Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership and has completed the Northwestern University School of Police Staff Command. Mike currently serves as Chief of the Lewis University Police Department.

Ray McGury
 

Jessica Molina, CVPM, PHR, CCFP

Jessica has been in the veterinary industry for over 20 years. As a military spouse, moving around for the Navy has allowed her to work in several practices nationwide. Like many managers, she's held just about every position in a practice. She is a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager and a Human Resources Professional and has earned many other professional designations over the years. Her most recent career focus has been in multi-site operations, and she is incredibly passionate about career coaching and financial optimization.

Jessica Molina, CVPM, PHR, CCFP
 

Dr. Clinton Neill

Dr. Clinton Neill is Senior Economist and Associate Director for Strategic Business Research and Outreach at the AVMA. His role is to assist in translating the work of the Veterinary Economics Division team and various stakeholders to actionable items for veterinary teams and clinics. Dr. Neill also holds a part-time appointment as Assistant Professor in veterinary economics for the Cornell Center of Veterinary Business and Entrepreneurship. Dr. Neill’s research focuses on the broad scope of issues that face the veterinary industry.



Clinton Neill
 

Matt S. Nolan

Matt S. Nolan began working with the team at BFH, CPAs, Inc. in January 2012 while completing his degree in accounting at the University of Akron, having graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in the spring of 2012. As a staff accountant/paraprofessional, Matt has assumed various responsibilities, including client practice management consulting, bookkeeping engagements, assisting in business valuations and practice financial analysis, supporting the completion of tax returns, and financial statement preparation.

Matt S. Nolan
 

Sonja A. Olson, DVM

Dr. Olson graduated from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine with a focus on exotic animal and conservation medicine. For over 25 years, she has been practicing small animal and exotic emergency medicine. Dr. Olson is currently the Veterinary Wellness Educator for the BluePearl Health & Well-being Team. Additionally, she is the founder of Heartstorming Wellness. Both roles support veterinary associates more globally through podcasts, writing, speaking, and creatively collaborating with other like-minded souls. 

Sonja A. Olson, DVM
 

Melina Palmer

Melina Palmer is a globally celebrated keynote speaker with a mission to help great brands and the people within them do greater things by leveraging the power of behavioral economics. She is CEO of The Brainy Business, which provides behavioral economics training and consulting to businesses of all sizes from around the world. Her podcast, The Brainy Business: Understanding the Psychology of Why People Buy, has downloads in over 170 countries and is used as a resource for teaching applied behavioral economics for many universities and businesses. Melina teaches applied behavioral economics through the Texas A&M Human Behavior Lab and obtained her master’s in behavioral economics from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. A proud member of the Global Association of Applied Behavioral Scientists, Melina has contributed research to the Association for Consumer Research, Filene Research Institute, and writes the Behavioral Economics & Business column for Inc Magazine. Her first book, What Your Customer Wants and Can’t Tell You, was a finalist in two categories of the International Book Awards. Her second book, What Your Employees Need and Can’t Tell You, published October 11, 2022.

Melina Palmer
 

Ingrid Pyka, DVM Cert VMI

After seeing team after team struggle with staff morale, hospital after hospital face financial challenges, and too many incredible veterinary professionals leave the field disheartened, Dr. Ingrid Pyka chose to be part of the change for better. She started IBP Consulting Services LCC in 2011 to guide businesses and entrepreneurs to effective and profitable systems. Recently, she founded VetMatch - dedicated to reducing burnout and bringing like-minded veterinary professionals back together - strong. A two-time TEDx Speaker and multi-award winning author, Dr. Pyka now shares her experiences speaking and training veterinary communities around the world. Through her integration of viable budgets and effective staff selection, Ingrid effectively eliminated $100,000/year losses in one non-profit hospital. Another struggling corporate specialty practice with her leadership finally became fully staffed and jumped to the top production growth in the region. Both occurred in less than a year. Through her consulting and trainings, Ingrid continues to inspire and bring the veterinary communities together with viable solutions. Ingrid has worked as an associate and relief veterinarian, owned her own practice, managed both corporate and non-profit hospitals. She collaborates extensively with GP's as well as housecall, specialty, and, emergency practices. Ingrid appreciates the perspectives of the practice as a business needing effective practice management along with the daily struggles of managers, client care and medical providers. Her passion is creating collaborative environments so that the veterinary industry empowers trust and longevity from within.

Ingrid Pyka, DVM Cert VMI
 

Senani Ratnayake, BSc, RVT

Senani has been educating veterinary professionals since 2004 and has received multiple awards for her contributions to veterinary medicine, including the 2021 RVTTC Canadian RVT of the Year and the Founders Award from Dr. Andy Roark’s Uncharted Veterinary Community.Senani began her career as an RVT in small animal practice, discovering her niche after recognizing that many of her colleagues chose veterinary medicine because they felt more connected to animals, than people. She used her experiences and knowledge as an RVT combined with her natural way with words, to become a catalyst for change within the industry by founding Motivatum Consulting.Working in practice, Industry and with a corporate group, she has gained a unique perspective and utilizes these insights to relate to, and engage, her audience. She is currently the Director of Learning and Engagement at Vet Alliance/Globalvet, building out a best-in-class platform of support for Canadian hospitals and their teams.Senani is passionate about the Industry and its longevity, using her voice to be an advocate at any, and every, opportunity. She actively volunteers in the veterinary industry, is a Past President of the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians and was the first non-DVM President of the Toronto Academy of Veterinary Medicine.

Senani Ratnayake, BSc, RVT
 

Rebecca Rose, CVT

Rebecca Rose, CVT, certified career coach, has a diverse background in the veterinary community as a credentialed team member and leader for over 35 years. She has worked in and managed veterinary clinics, collaborates with industry partners, authors articles and books, and facilitates engaging team workshops. Rebecca’s enthusiasm for professional development in veterinary medicine is contagious, as she encourages and supports veterinary teams in reaching their highest potential. She believes there are ample opportunities in veterinary medicine to build and maintain a healthy, sustainable life and career. Her most current role includes Outreach Specialist and Manager within Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice.

Rebecca Rose, CVT
 

Marsha Shandur

Marsha Shandur (of Yes Yes Marsha) believes that ethical persuasion is not only possible, but creates a world where everybody wins. A Storytelling and Persuasive Communications Coach and Trainer, she has taught thousands of executives, entrepreneurs and professionals across the world and worked with clients like HelloFresh, Royal Bank of Canada, Shopify and Facebook. ?Before launching Yes Yes Marsha, she spent 15 years working as a Radio DJ, where she gained a powerful understanding of how to tell stories and be persuasive in a way that fosters connection, trust, engagement and loyalty. Her work has been featured in Forbes, BBC and Mashable.

Marsha Shandur
 

Jake Waas, CVPM

Jake Waas is a highly motivated veterinary practice owner and hospital administrator passionate about building a successful business for all stakeholders. Growing up, Jake was surrounded by the veterinary industry thanks to his mother who is a veterinarian, and his parents who together owned the practice where he currently works. This early exposure gave him a unique perspective and a deep appreciation for the work that goes into running a successful veterinary practice.
 
After earning his bachelor's degree from UC Davis in 2014, Jake joined the family business full-time. While his parents retired in 2016, he remains committed to continuing the legacy of providing quality veterinary care. As a hospital administrator, he builds systems that support a healthy culture and a strong team. He recently earned his Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) designation in 2021, demonstrating his commitment to excellence in the field.


Jake enjoys staying physically active in his free time through weightlifting and playing sports. He also cherishes spending quality time with family and friends. With a solid commitment to continuous improvement, Jake always strives to make his practice the best it can be.

Jake Waas, CVPM
 

Peter Weinstein, DVM

Dr. Peter Weinstein is a husband, father, pet parent, veterinarian, and leader. He has been involved with virtually all aspects of veterinary practice, from a 15-year-old kennel kid to a hospital owner. Organized veterinary medicine has been a passion as well, with various roles and leadership and presidencies of Southern California VMA, California VMA, and Vet Partners. He is a published author, most notably of the E Myth Veterinarian-Why Most Veterinary Practices Don’t Work and What to Do About It. Currently, he is teaching business and finance at the Veterinary College of Western University of Health Sciences. He likes to think of himself as a free-thinking change agent and disruptor who, because he has a daughter in veterinary school, is working for an even better veterinary profession in the future.

Peter Weinstein, DVM
 

Josephine Wynn

Josephine, more affectionately known as Jose, is famous at Vetsource for two things: her dedication to pets and the veterinary industry and her love for the color pink. Jose’s first job out of high school was at a large veterinary practice in Ohio. She learned how veterinary teams serve their patients and she became intimately familiar with the challenges unique to practices. From there, Jose’s career focused on working with veterinary technology solutions as a veterinary practice management software trainer, support specialist, project manager, and marketing specialist. She is passionate about partnering with practices to help improve efficiency and profitability which is what brought her to VetSuccess in 2019, and now Vetsource Data Services, and exactly why she thrives here. Jose loves to recharge with family time and is kept quite busy with her husband, three kiddos, four dogs, and three cats at home. When she’s not doting on her littles, she can be found binge-watching period dramas and documentaries, spending quality time with her closest friends, and enjoying some sushi.


Josephine Wynn
 

Brittany Yost, CVPM

Brittany Yost, CVPM has worked in the veterinary industry for more than 17 years.  She began as a practice manager at a small veterinary clinic and oversaw its evolution from a 1 ½-doctor practice to a 6-doctor practice.  While managing the practice, she also worked as a veterinary business consultant for a number of companies including Boehringer Ingelheim, Midwest Veterinary Supply, and Vertical Vet.

In 2022, Brittany transitioned her talents to Vetsource, where she began as a Success Coach on the Vet2Pet team and currently leads the team.  In addition to her practical experience, Brittany holds a business degree from the Ohio State University and in 2020 earned the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager designation. Brittany is passionate about partnering with animal hospitals and their staff to help us all thrive in this ever-changing industry.

Brittany Yost
 

Mike Zegadlo

Prior to transitioning into a career in law enforcement, Mike served as a university administrator specializing in student development. As a police officer, Mike has served as a use of force instructor, patrol supervisor, and administrator. Mike has a Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership and has completed the Northwestern University School of Police Staff Command. Mike currently serves as Chief of the Lewis University Police Department.
Mike Zegaldo