Career Conversations

Ever wish you could talk through career issues with a trusted colleague? At the 2025 Annual Conference, you can! VHMA will match you with a conversation coach, and each participant will be allotted up to 45 minutes per session. These confidential conversations will allow you to ask questions, and request feedback, and can yield valuable insights that will equip you to be more proactive as you grow your career.

If you are ready for a talk that can enhance, adjust or transform your career path, please select this option on the registration form. You will need to complete a brief survey to help VHMA better understand the topics you are interested in addressing (due by July 11). This information will be used to match you with a compatible coach. All information will remain CONFIDENTIAL.

There are a limited number of conversation times and registration is on a first come first serve basis. Conversation appointments are available during the meal breaks (breakfast and lunch) on Thursday and Friday.

Christine Cesena, MS, CVPM

Milestones

• Lifetime experience with small family practices. Grew up working in father’s human dentist office and being around uncle’s veterinary practice.
• 15+ years working within the State of CA government agency to assist people with disabilities in finding employment.
• 8+ years as a Practice Manager in a smaller specialty, Ophthalmology Clinic.
• Introduced EAP program to current clinic
• Speaker at VHMA Manager’s Exchange 2019, 2022, 2025
• Member of the VHMA Membership Advisory Panel

Superpowers:

• Building happy, healthy, and effective teams.
• Resolving conflict and soothing adversarial conversations with clients and/or team members.
• Gets “it” done
• Implement clinic policies with empathy and compassion.

Jon Cunnington, MBA, CVPM

Milestones

• A career spanning 24 years in veterinary hospital management
• Member of the VHMA Board of Directors for 10 years and president from 2013-2015
• Transitioned from a hospital administrator of a single hospital in 2017 to Regional Operations Director overseeing 12 hospitals

Proud Moments

• Recognizing VHMA colleagues for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the profession
• Helping grow a veterinary hospital from 12-doctors and 48 support staff to 30+ doctors and 130 support staff
• Building an outstanding leadership team in a large hybrid veterinary hospital
• Speaking at key veterinary conferences

Jo Graham, MS, CVPM, SHRM-CP

Milestones

• Almost two decades of experience working in general practice, emergency, and large animal medicine
• 8+ years of experience in multi-site regional operations
• Established employee relief fund at corporate level to provide vital financial support to team members in need
• Extensive experience in developing hospital leaders and creating career pathways
• Achieved CVPM in 2015 (best life decision ever!)
• VHMA Emerging Leader, 2015-2017
• VHMA Board Member, Director 2019-2021
• Fear Free Elite Professional
• MS in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Superpowers

• Team Cheerleader – helping to maintain focus when things get tough
• Challenge Transformer – taking tough situations and turning them into growth opportunities
• Visionary Guide – always looking to see the bigger picture, empowering others to see it too
• Team Builder – building strong teams where everyone thrives, and no one gets left behind

Shelley Johnson, CVPM

Milestones

• 30-year career working with practice leaders and sales teams to reach their potential in business, leadership and practice management.
• Founder of a veterinary consulting, speaking and writing business
• An enthusiastic and committed contributor to the veterinary profession through industry work and participation in professional associations

Superpowers

• Communication and networking specialist
• CEO – Chief Encouragement Officer
• Life-long learner
• Glass ¾ - full attitude

Jessica Molina, CVPM, PHR, CCFP

Milestones

• AVMA PLIT Safety & Risk Consultant
• Multi-site Regional Operations/Management
• 20 years in the industry with over 10 in Practice Management/Hospital Administration
• Veterinary management services and consulting
• Private and Corporate general practice management
• PHR since 2016; CVPM since 2018
• DVM360/VHMA Practice Manager of the Year 2019
• VHMA Board of Directors 2021-2023 and longstanding member
• Fear Free Elite, Human-Animal Bond certified
• Former host of a radio show - Pets Unleashed

Superpowers:

• Total Risk Management including Safety, Claims, and Risk Mitigation
• Human Resources
• Financial Optimization – Budgeting, Forecasting, Analytics, KPIs
• Effective Team Building – Recruiting, Training & Development, Coaching
• Operations – Systems, Efficiencies, Strategic Planning, Compliance
• Client Experience and preserving the Human-Animal Bond
• Inventory Management

Julie Nash, CVPM, PHR, SHRM-CP

Milestones

• Over 29 years of experience in the veterinary profession
• Founder of Practice Moxie, a veterinary consulting firm focused on employee and organizational development
• Author of the first veterinary-specific train-the-trainer programs
• Partner/Chief People Officer at AscendVets, group of veterinary practices
• National speaker and training facilitator

Superpowers:

• Leadership development, conflict resolution, and coaching
• Connecting and helping others find their Moxie
• Training that transfers into business results and empowerment
• Invents solutions with the big picture and the people in mind