Speakers

Gabriel Baldinucci

Gabriel is the Co-Founder & CEO of Pawsitive Holdings, and he is also leading the company's rollout of Pawsitive Intelligence, an AI Learning & Adoption program for pet industry executives. 

Before Pawsitive Holdings, Gabriel spent eight years as the Chief Strategy Officer of Singularity University, a global leader in artificial intelligence and exponential technology education. In that role, Gabriel oversaw the development of new programs and established Singularity's global licensing model, helping expand the organization to chapters in more than 170 cities and national conferences in 24 countries. During his tenure, the Singularity community launched over 5,000 exponential technology startups. Well-known Singularity graduates from the pet industry include Dr. Adam Little, DVM, and Anna Skaya, founder of Basepaws.

Earlier in his career, Gabriel worked with Richard Branson and developed Virgin Voyages cruise line at the Virgin Group, he cofounded a neighborhood platform acquired by Airbnb, and started his career at Goldman Sachs. He holds a BA in Economics from Duke University and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business, and lives in Austin, Texas with his family and three rescue dogs

Jeremy Bess

Often regarded as a thought leader in macroeconomics, Jeremy offers clients insight into future expectations on topics that matter most to them. He helps set their course with a plan grounded in concrete data and analysis. This involves specific ad-hoc projects, such as analyzing the impact of a one-time asset implementation and delivering presentations to policymakers, companies, and trade associations. Drawing on his expertise in various sectors, he translates economic trends into actionable advice. Jeremy is a keynote speaker who travels across North America. One of his standout skills is keeping the energy up during presentations. Let’s be honest—economist keynotes often get a bad reputation as the perfect time to check emails or make phone calls. But he's heard that his presentations are so lively, people look forward to them and make sure not to miss a minute!  

Debbie Boone, BS, CVPM, Fear Free^SM Certified

Debbie has worked for the veterinary profession for more than 40 years. After earning her bachelor’s degree in animal science from North Carolina State University, she began as a client care representative and quickly moved into hospital administration. Debbie has experience in the management of small animal, mixed animal, specialty, and emergency practices.

Debbie is considered an expert in team communication, creating positive practice culture, and developing operations efficiency for veterinary practices. Debbie published her latest book, “Hospitality in HealthCare: How Top Performing Practices Give the Best in Care to Their Patients and Boost Team Happiness” which launched at AVMA Convention 2023. Her business, 2 Manage Vets Consulting, helps practices develop extraordinary team communication and business skills, enhancing patient care, improving profitability, and increasing practice value. She strives to improve the lives of animals by using her expertise to improve workplace culture and the well-being of veterinary professionals. 

Major national and international animal health organizations, including AVMA, OVMA, CanWest, WVC, NAVC, AAHA and more, consistently seek Debbie out for her skills as a trainer and speaker. She has even been quoted in the Wall Street Journal.  She has been published in numerous veterinary publications, was the 2022 President of VetPartners and served as a member of the VetPartners Board of Directors for 6 years.  She is on the Fear Free Advisory Council, Stokes and Epicur Pharmacy advisory board and a is a Key Opinion Leader for Weave, where she enjoys sharing her real-world clinic experience with companies.  She is currently hosting a vodcast and podcast called The Bend which invites guests to share their stories of triumph over adversity and how They are changing the veterinary profession for the better.  

Her latest collaboration is the creation of a non-profit association for veterinary client service representatives called NAAVR.  This association will support, empower and educate front office team members and elevate the job to a career.  

Debbie lives in North Myrtle Beach, SC where she spends her off time in her garden, at the beach, walking her dog Tucker, or traveling with her husband, Mike.  

Brian Conrad, CVPM

Brian has served as the Hospital Administrator for Meadow Hills Veterinary Center in Kennewick, WA, since 1999. During his tenure at Meadow Hills, the clinic received awards for the Hospital Design of the Year in 2001 from Veterinary Economics magazine and the 2004 Mid-Columbia Small Business of the Year. In 2009, Meadow Hills opened its second location. Brian lectures on a wide variety of topics challenging the veterinary industry using practical and "real-life" examples that keep the audience engaged and enthused. Brian has been a frequent contributor to DVM360 and a lecturer for several national conferences. His speaking engagements went international in 2012 when he was featured at the Southern European Veterinary Conference in Barcelona, Spain. They continued in 2013 when he was featured in Melbourne, Australia. His first Educational DVD launched in 2012, titled "Listen Up!  How to Profit from Client Feedback". Brian earned his CVPM certification in 2003 and served on the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) Board of Directors for ten years, which began in 2009. He is a past VHMA President.  Brian is a current faculty member for the DVM360 Fetch conferences and a Key Opinion Leader for Lintbell's Yumove. 

Joseph Cope

Joseph Cope, The Empathy Guy, has built a reputation for redefining empathy as a fierce and practical leadership skill. This foundational belief has fueled his journey from award-winning educator to highly sought-after speaker, and it’s what keeps his work rooted in presence, curiosity, and courageous human connection. Whether he’s speaking from top stages, guiding leadership teams with deep intention, or helping individuals reconnect with their own voice, Joseph’s mission is clear: to create space for people to choose growth, first for themselves and then for each other.

Donna Cutting

Donna is the Founder and CEO of Red-Carpet Learning Worldwide, where she and her team help organizations deliver extraordinary customer and employee experiences. She is the author of three books on customer service and employee experience, including The Celebrity Experience: Insider Secrets to Delivering Red Carpet Customer Service (Wiley) and 501 Ways to Roll Out the Red Carpet for Your Customers (Career Press), and a nationally recognized speaker who works with mission-driven healthcare organizations across the United States. Known for her engaging storytelling and practical, people-centered approach, Donna has built a reputation for inspiring leaders and teams to roll out the red carpet in ways that change culture and drive real results. Her experience as an actress sets the stage for her interactive, fun, and enthusiastic style. 
 
Through Red-Carpet Learning Worldwide, Donna's customer service training programs are used throughout the United States and in South Africa, Canada, Australia, and Spain, helping clients get results such as shorter sales cycles, improved service scores, increased employee retention, and engagement. Some companies have even won awards using Red-Carpet programs.
 
Donna travels with two rescue Shih Tzus, named Moxie and Tonks, in tow. When they are not traveling together, they can be found in Dunedin, Florida.

Linda Ellis, DVM

Dr. Ellis is the Lead Trust Veterinarian for the AVMA Trust, with over 20 years of experience in veterinary professional liability risk management. Dr. Ellis is passionate about supporting and advocating for veterinarians insured through the AVMA PLIT program. She speaks regularly with veterinarians regarding difficult situations, such as facing a malpractice claim or license complaint, to provide support and guidance. She also reviews professional liability claims submitted through the PLIT program, advising the insurance carrier on any potential concerns related to veterinary care or liability. Another primary focus of Dr. Ellis’s role is providing education on common causes of claims and how to manage that risk. She attends and presents at veterinary conferences as part of an educational outreach program to help veterinarians avoid malpractice and board complaints, as well as understand the professional and business coverages they need to protect themselves and their practice. Dr. Ellis also identifies claim trends and topics for PLIT newsletters to keep insured members informed. Dr. Ellis graduated from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991 and practiced companion animal medicine and surgery for 14 years before joining PLIT. She is a member of the AVMA, AAHA, and Illinois State VMA.

Dr. Lauren Forsythe, PharmaD, MBA, DICVP

Dr. Forsythe is an Assistant Professor at the University of Findlay College of Pharmacy. She is also a diplomat of the International College of Veterinary Pharmacists. Dr. Forsythe graduated from the University of Findlay, College of Pharmacy in 2015 and completed her veterinary pharmacy residency at Purdue's Veterinary Teaching Hospital. She earned her MBA in 2024 from the University of Illinois.  Following completion of her residency, Dr. Forsythe spent three years at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital as a Clinical Pharmacist, followed by four years at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pharmacy and the Pharmacy Service Head. In addition to her teaching position, Dr. Forsythe is a co-author of the book Drug Compounding for Veterinary Professionals and provides consulting services to veterinary practices through her company, Foresight Pharma Solutions.

Gina Fortunato, MBA

Gina is Executive Director of the CATalyst Council, where she leads initiatives advancing feline health and welfare across the veterinary, shelter, and animal health industries. With more than 13 years of leadership experience in animal health and pet insurance, she brings deep expertise in strategic growth, collaboration, and industry engagement. Gina is a horse owner and lifelong cat lover, passionate about pet health and access to veterinary care.

Joanne Graham, MS, CVPM, SHRM-CP

Joanne is a Regional Director of Operations overseeing a network of veterinary hospitals across multiple states. With over 15 years of experience in veterinary medicine, she brings a grounded, people-first approach to leadership and believes in striking a balance between operational performance and team well-being. Joanne holds a Master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and is known for building strong, connected teams through clarity, trust, and accountability.
 
She believes great culture and great results are never separate goals, and her leadership philosophy centers on helping hospital teams align around purpose, communication, and care. Joanne is passionate about developing leaders who create workplaces where veterinary professionals can thrive.

Debbie Hill, CVPM, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

Debbie Hill enjoys all things management and speaks nationally to manager groups and conferences on a wide array of management topics around the country. She has 30-plus years in veterinary management and is well-known for being willing to share her knowledge with others. Debbie taught the management and communication courses for Patterson Management University for 13 years.

She became a Certified Veterinary Hospital Manager in 2005 and is also certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR and SHRM-SCP) and a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional. She uses these certifications to help manage her own teams, mentor her managers, and assist other practices with growth goals. Debbie served on the Veterinary Hospital Manager Association's Board of Directors and the CVPM Board of Directors for 10 years and was the original voice of the VHMA Manager to Manager podcast for 4 ½ years before passing that baton.

Debbie attends multiple conferences and webinars annually to remain current. As a long time hospital administrator of multiple practices, she understands the struggles in daily practice. Realizing she has been privileged with a wealth of exposure to management experience and education, Debbie has a strong desire to share with others who strive to maintain healthy teams, quality patient care, and client service with solid business systems.

Dr. Michael Housman

Dr. Michael Housman is a seasoned technologist and data scientist specializing in the integration of artificial intelligence and human psychology. Throughout his career, he has held various C-suite roles and led technology divisions at multiple early-stage companies, hiring and managing teams that have expanded to include hundreds of engineers and data scientists. His hands-on approach to leadership is exemplified by his commitment to coding and model building, ensuring he remains at the cutting edge of his field. He has helped architect platforms aimed at enhancing the hiring process (Evolv), handling time tracking and payroll for small business employees (Homebase), enhancing customer communication (RapportBoost.AI), detecting fraud (Point Predictive), and facilitating real estate transactions (Doma). Of those five start-ups, one was acquired, one went public, another is poised for an IPO in 2025, with others making significant strides in the industry.

As a dynamic and engaging speaker, Dr. Housman has delivered hundreds of keynotes worldwide across more than a dozen countries, consistently receiving top accolades from diverse audiences. His expertise has enlightened executives within an all-star list of organizations, including American Express, Barclays, Accenture, Deloitte, PepsiCo, Aramco, U.S Venture, Resort World, and YPO. In addition to his leadership roles, he actively provides artificial intelligence and data science advisory services to both burgeoning start-ups, such as PetLab, and established enterprises, including Coca-Cola. Dr. Housman's unique ability to demystify complex technical concepts and present them in an engaging manner sets him apart in a field often dominated by futurists and theorists.

Dr. Housman's academic credentials are equally impressive. His pioneering research, published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, presented at dozens of academic and practitioner-oriented conferences, and featured in prominent media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and The Atlantic, underscores his significant contributions to the field. Not only has his work been recognized by academics and the media, but it has also captured the attention of other thought leaders in the space, being featured in Adam Grant's second book, "Originals," as well as the "Freakonomics" podcast. He is a regular lecturer at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas-Austin, teaching undergraduate and MBA students about the intersection of AI and business. Dr. Housman holds a Ph.D. in Applied Economics and Managerial Science from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and an A.B. from Harvard University.

Maisey Kent

Maisey Kent is an economist at the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Assistant Director of Statistical and Data Analysis. Her role is to ensure the integrity of the statistical and data analyses of the economics division, building and maintaining primary data sources, developing analyses, and creating data-driven visualizations. 
She holds a B.B.A. in Marketing from Delta State University as well as an M.B.A. with an emphasis in Information Systems Management from Delta State University. 

Adam Little, DVM

Dr. Little is a veterinarian and entrepreneur known for his innovative approaches to animal and human health. Educated at the University of Guelph with a BSc and DVM, he further distinguished himself as the first veterinarian to attend Singularity University, focusing on the intersection of technology and healthcare. His professional journey includes serving as the Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. He co-founded GoFetch, which has delivered significant cost savings in pet care through its loyalty and subscription services. Dr. Little has also contributed to the veterinary field through his board memberships with Veterinarians Without Borders, the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, and the Catalyst Council.  

Patrick Luce

Katelyn McCullock

Katelyn McCullock is AVMA's Chief Economist and is responsible for leading the Veterinary Economics Division at AVMA. She has over 15 years of experience working in the field of agricultural economics with a focus on livestock economics. Prior to joining AVMA, Ms. McCullock ran the Livestock Marketing Information Center, which specializes in livestock marketing economics and commodity forecasting. Ms. McCullock has worked in various roles related to livestock agriculture, including advocacy and animal welfare work with the American Farm Bureau Federation. 
 
Katelyn earned her Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness and Resource Management, a minor in Economics, from the University of Maine-Orono. She attended graduate school at Colorado State University, where she earned a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics. 
Katelyn McCullock is AVMA's Chief Economist and is responsible for leading the Veterinary Economics Division at AVMA. She has over 15 years of experience working in the field of agricultural economics with a focus on livestock economics. Prior to joining AVMA, Ms. McCullock ran the Livestock Marketing Information Center, which specializes in livestock marketing economics and commodity forecasting. Ms. McCullock has worked in various roles related to livestock agriculture, including advocacy and animal welfare work with the American Farm Bureau Federation. 
 
Katelyn earned her Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness and Resource Management, a minor in Economics, from the University of Maine-Orono. She attended graduate school at Colorado State University, where she earned a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics. 

Lu Olson, DVM

Ashley Richards, CVPM 

Ashley Richards is a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) with over 15 years of experience in the veterinary field, beginning her career in 2009 as a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT). Her clinical foundation led to pursuing a management path where she has been a practice manager in both general practice and emergency hospitals. 

Ashley currently serves on the practice manager advisory board at Vet Evolve, where she partners closely with executive leadership to develop and implement strategies that strengthen hospital culture, improve operational efficiency, and elevate patient care. A core passion of her work is mentoring and developing new and emerging managers, helping them build confidence, leadership skills, and sustainable workflows.

Ashley also serves on the VHMA Education and Programming Advisory Group, contributing to the advancement of veterinary management education.

Lance Roasa, DVM, MS, JD

Dr. Lance Roasa is a veterinarian, attorney, educator, and entrepreneur serving the veterinary profession. Dr. Roasa holds undergraduate, master’s and veterinary degrees from Texas A&M University. He purchased a small-animal solo veterinary practice in Colorado, then expanded it to a mixed-animal hospital with 5 veterinarians. 
Dr. Roasa holds a law degree from the University of Nebraska, specializing in the law of small business, taxation, and veterinary medicine. After completion of law school Dr. Roasa owned and managed a group of 10 veterinary practices, which he ultimately sold. 

He has served as president of the American Veterinary Medical Law Association (AVMLA) and a member of the board of directors for the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association and several senate task forces impacting veterinary medicine. He has served as a national co-advisor and general counsel to the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) for over 10 years. 

As the founder and principal attorney of the Roasa Law Group, Dr. Roasa provides legal services to veterinarians across the U.S., focusing on practice ownership transitions, employment contracts, and legal counsel for start-up businesses and as general counsel for large veterinary entities.  
Dr. Roasa is also committed to veterinary education. He teaches courses on law, medical recordkeeping, malpractice, business management, personal financial literacy, and career development at 19 of the country’s veterinary schools. In 2016, he co-founded Drip Learning Technologies (drip.vet), a leading provider of continuing education for the veterinary profession. In 2021, he joined VIN to serve as a consultant on the Regulatory and Legal and Practice Management Boards. 

Dr. Roasa also owned the Santa Rosa Ranch in Texas, a seedstock Brangus exporter and bovine embryo transfer operation spanning 25,000 acres and 3,500 cows. He sold the ranch in 2024 to focus on his law practice and serving veterinarians. 
Dr. Roasa helps veterinary professionals improve career satisfaction, financial well-being, and legal preparedness through his teaching, consulting, and leadership in the field. 

Christine Saunders, MSc, MPhil, CSC, CM

President and Founder, Halmyre

Christine is a sought-after strategist and speaker specializing in value proposition and growth strategy for professional associations and service businesses. Her sessions are praised for their pragmatism and growth mindset. With deep experience in the veterinary sector—including work with the Veterinary Medical Association Executives (VMAE)—Christine understands the macro-economic shifts impacting modern practices. A Chartered Marketer (CM) and award-winning strategist, she holds degrees from the University of King’s College, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.  

Ali Todd, CVPM

Beth Venit, VMD, MPH, DACVPM

Brittany Yost, CVPM, CVBL, CCFP

Brittany has worked in the veterinary industry for nearly 20 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 facility.  

In 2022, Brittany transitioned her talents to Vetsource, where she currently serves as Director of Customer Implementation and Engagement.  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.

Concurrently, she has worked as a veterinary business consultant for several industry leaders, including Boehringer Ingelheim, VETgirl, Zoetis, and Vertical Vet.