Welcome to Vet Talk with Royal Canin

Dr. Megan Shepherd

Dr. Megan Shepherd is a Nutrition Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Before joining Royal Canin in 2023, she served as a faculty member at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine from 2012 to 2022. From 2021-2023 she operated Veterinary Clinical Nutrition, a remote specialty nutrition referral-based practice. Since 2023, Dr. Shepherd has served as the Scientific Communications Nutritionist at Royal Canin and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of pets' lives through the implementation of nutrition solutions.

Dr. Adam Rudinsky

Dr. Rudinsky is an Associate Professor - Tenure in the Small Animal Internal Medicine service at The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center. He received his DVM degree from The Ohio State University, completed a small animal rotating internship at Purdue University, and then a combined residency in internal medicine and MS degree at The Ohio State University. Following residency training, he completed two post-doctoral research fellowships in Mucosal Immunology at The Ohio State University and Microbial Pathogenesis at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. He is now on faculty at Ohio State as a staff internist, research scientist and member of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. His current clinical and research interests include gastrointestinal endocrinology, chronic enteropathies, pancreatic and hepatic disease, mucosal immunology, and the intestinal microbiome as it relates to disease pathophysiology and treatment.

Jayme Chapman, BS, RVT

Jayme Chapman, BS, RVT, serves as Scientific Communications Technician at Royal Canin USA. Since becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician in 2013, Jayme has honed her skills and passion for animal care. In 2016, she expanded her expertise with a Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management, which gave emphasis to effective communication and leadership development. At Royal Canin, Jayme plays a pivotal role in teaching fellow veterinary technicians on critical topics such as animal nutrition, career development, and dynamic communication. Jayme's impact extends beyond conventional boundaries, as she leverages various platforms such as online webinars, conferences, and podcasts to spread her insights and promote best practices within the industry. Beyond her professional role, Jayme is actively engaged in community service, notably as an animal foster and participant of a small group providing meals for those in need. In her personal life, Jayme enjoys spending quality time with her husband, Nick, and her beloved pets, Dogtor Dre, Max, and Gymcat.

Rachel Beck, CVT, PMP

Rachel is currently Director of Veterinary Technician Programs for Banfield Pet Hospital. She has spent over two decades in the veterinary industry in numerous roles. In her current role, she leads the strategy and oversees the execution of a nursing roadmap that drives the recruitment, retention, and supply of veterinary technicians for Banfield while focusing on career growth opportunities and skill utilization for veterinary technicians. Her passion is creating a sustainable career for all veterinary professionals, particularly veterinary technicians. She is also part of Banfield’s Veterinary Leadership Team, providing input and guidance on strategy impacting over 1,000 hospitals and 20,000 associates. Apart from clinical and leadership skills, she is a credentialed project manager and experienced change management practitioner. She has authored several articles in publications such as Today’s Veterinary Nurse and the NAVTA Journal. She sits on boards including the Oregon Veterinary Technician and Assistant Association, the NAVTA District Representative Committee, and the Human Animal Bond Association.

Brianne “Bri” Morrow, LVT, VTS (Nutrition)

Brianne “Bri” Morrow, the Senior Scientific Communications Technician at Royal Canin USA, brings over a decade of expertise to the forefront, having been a part of Royal Canin since 2010. An alumna of the State University of New York at Delhi with an A.A.S in Veterinary Science Technology, Bri further enriched her academic portfolio with a Bachelors in Anthropology from Stony Brook University. In 2006, Bri obtained her license in veterinary technology for NY state, marking the beginning of a relentless pursuit of professional development. This journey culminated in her accreditation as a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Nutrition, solidifying her commitment to advancing the field.

Beyond her role, Bri is dedicated to inspiring veterinary technicians in nutrition and technician utilization. Through demonstrations and case examples, she simplifies complex topics, aiming to enhance pet care and educate owners with accessible methods. Bri's impactful contributions have earned her recognition as a 'Woman of Science' in Good Housekeeping and in Today’s Veterinary Business magazine's veterinary nurse empowerment series. Currently, she serves as the President of the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition and co-chair of the Global Mars Veterinary Technician & Nurse Council. Balancing her professional life, Bri resides in upstate New York with her family – husband David, son Emmett, two dogs (Wally and Magik), and cats (ChewPawCa and Ruth Bader Ginspurr).

Kara Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition), VTS-H (Internal Medicine, Dentistry)

Kara Burns is a licensed veterinary technician with a master’s degree in physiology and a master’s degree in counseling psychology. She began her career in human medicine working as an emergency psychologist and as a poison specialist dealing with human and animal poisonings. Kara is the Founder and Past President of the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians. She teaches nutrition courses around the world. Kara is an independent nutritional and well-being consultant, the Director of Veterinary Nurse Development for WellHaven Pet Health and is the Editor in Chief of Today’s Veterinary Nurse.

She is a member of many national, international, and state associations and holds positions on many boards in the profession: American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition executive board; Western Veterinary Conference Technician Education Manager; NAVTA Past President; EveryCat Health Foundation (formerly Winn Feline Foundation); and the first technician to be President of the Pet Nutrition Alliance. She has authored many articles, textbooks, and textbook chapters and is an internationally invited speaker, focusing on topics of nutrition, leadership, and technician utilization. Kara and her wife Dr. Ellen Lowery developed the Pet Nutrition Coach Certification Courses course through NAVC.

Dr. Adrienne Bautista

Dr. Adrienne Bautista completed a doctoral degree in physiology before obtaining her DVM from the University of California, Davis. Following her DVM, Dr. Bautista practiced small animal general and emergency medicine. She returned to the University of California, Davis to complete a dairy food safety and security fellowship and a residency in clinical veterinary toxicology. Dr. Bautista worked briefly as an associate toxicologist for the California Environmental Protection Agency before returning to general practice for several years. A Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Toxicology, she has authored numerous journal articles, book chapters, and lay articles. Joining Royal Canin in 2020, she currently serves as the Scientific Affairs Manager for Royal Canin US.

Dr. Catherine Milley

Dr. Catherine Milley grew up in western Canada where she earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Calgary and went on to graduate from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. Dr. Milley worked as a primary care veterinarian in Alberta for 7 years. It was here that Dr. Milley discovered her passion for veterinary dermatology and decided to pursue a specialty career in dermatology. Dr. Milley obtained Diplomate status with the American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD) in 2016. She moved to Portland in 2017 and practices at Animal Dermatology Clinic - Portland. She is particularly interested in infectious diseases such as parasitic diseases and methicillin-resistant staphylococcal (MRSP) infections, as well as the diagnosis and management of allergic dermatitis in companion animals.

Dr. Todd East

Dr. Todd East began his journey in the veterinary industry as an associate veterinarian after graduating from Michigan State University in 2003. With experience as an associate veterinarian, practice owner, relief vet and now 14 years at Royal Canin in various positions, Dr. East brings a unique perspective to our industry. Currently he serves as the Director of Veterinary Affairs at Royal Canin and resides in Nashville, TN with his wife, son, daughter and 2 dogs.

Dr. Addie Reinhard

Dr. Addie Reinhard is the Founder and CEO of MentorVet, a rapidly growing entity that leverages evidence-based approaches to empower individuals to thrive within veterinary medicine. She is a veterinary wellbeing researcher, and her research focuses on developing and evaluating innovative interventions to support mental health and wellbeing within the veterinary profession and is on the research team for the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Wellbeing Study. In 2021, she completed a master’s degree in Community and Leadership Development and a Graduate Certificate in College Teaching and Learning from the University of Kentucky and holds a certificate in Veterinary Human Support from the University of Tennessee.

Dr. Angela Hughes

Dr. Angela Hughes DVM PhD serves as Scientific Communications Veterinarian and Veterinary Geneticist at Royal Canin where she is focused on teaching people how to create better health through nutrition for dogs and cats. She is a trained veterinary geneticist who pioneered the concept of genetically aligning potential breeding dogs to evaluate genetic diversity and launched this in a first-of-its-kind test called Optimal Selection™. Dr. Hughes completed her veterinary degree, veterinary genetics residency, PhD in genetics, and held an associate clinical professor position at the University of California, Davis. Dr. Hughes is also completing a Master’s degree in Communications through the University of Florida. She has been published in multiple academic publications including the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, PLOS Genetics, and PLOS One and has contributed chapters for publication in Veterinary Clinics of North America Small Animal Practice: Pediatrics and several editions of Large Animal Internal Medicine.

Dr. Jennifer Alterman

Dr. Jennifer Alterman is a Board Certified Veterinary Dentist currently practicing in Salt Lake City, Utah. She attended the University of Maryland for undergraduate studies and obtained her doctor of veterinary medicine from the University of Florida. Following an internship at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, D.C. she spent three years in general practice and emergency. Dr. Alterman then pursued a residency in dentistry and oral surgery and obtained board certification in 2019. Her special interests include surgical periodontal therapy, treatment of developmental disorders of the mouth, oncologic surgery, and orthodontics.

Dr. Anne Ward

Dr. Anne Ward is a 2008 graduate of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, and has devoted her career to small animal practice, working first as a general practitioner, and later as an emergency clinician. Throughout her career, the role of nutrition in animal health and the sustainability of veterinary medicine have been areas of great interest for her. Dr. Ward joined Royal Canin in 2017, where she currently serves as a Scientific Communications Veterinarian.

Dr. Kelly St. Denis

Kelly St. Denis, MSc, DVM, DABVP (feline practice),is a ABVP-certified feline specialist, author, and international lecturer.  She is medical co-editor of the AAFP Feline Practitioner Magazine with Dr. Jessica Quimby and has recently joined Drs. Margie Scherk and Andy Sparkes as a co-editor of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.  Dr. St. Denis is a consultant on the Veterinary Information Network in feline internal medicine.

Dr. Ann Ward

Dr. Anne Ward is a 2008 graduate of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, and has devoted her career to small animal practice, working first as a general practitioner, and later as an emergency clinician. Throughout her career, the role of nutrition in animal health and the sustainability of veterinary medicine have been areas of great interest for her. Dr. Ward joined Royal Canin in 2017, where she currently serves as a Scientific Communications Veterinarian.

Caitlyn Dudas

Caitlyn Dudas is the Senior Advisor and Co-Founder of the Pet Sustainability Coalition – a nonprofit that advances business through environmental and social business practices. Caitlyn is a 2022 Power50 winner, a 2019 Woman of Influence recipient, winner of the 2019 Vanguard award, and a 2017 40 Under 40 award recipient in honor of her innovative approach to bring together industry leaders to strengthen their businesses while also leading the industry toward a future where pets, people, and planet prosper. Between 2013 and 2023, Caitlyn served as Executive Director and Co-Founder, where she grew the Coalition from 8 Founding corporate members to a thriving community of 200+ pet companies that actively measure and improve their impact through PSC’s sustainable business services.  

Kirk Breuninger, VMD, MPH, DACVPM

Dr. Breuninger is division vice president of veterinary quality at Banfield Pet Hospital’s headquarters in Vancouver, Washington. He received his veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2010, his Master of Public Health degree from Temple University in 2014, and board certification with the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine in 2016. In 2019, he was awarded the MARS Make The Difference Award (North America) for positively impacting the lives of associates through Banfield’s Veterinary Student Debt Relief Program.

Craig Datz, DVM, MS, DABVP, DACVN

Dr. Datz is a 1987 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. He spent 14 years in private companion animal practice and 11 years on the faculty at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine working in the areas of Community Practice and Clinical Nutrition. In 2012 he joined Royal Canin USA where he is the Director of Scientific Affairs. Dr. Datz is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition and is dual board-certified in canine/feline and feline practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.

Angela Hughes, DVM, PhD

Dr. Angela Hughes, DVM, PhD serves as Global Science Advocacy Senior Manager at Mars Petcare where she focuses on educating people about the science behind the human-animal bond, as well as, the development of new markers of health and disease in pets. She is a trained veterinary geneticist who pioneered the concept of genetically aligning potential breeding dogs to evaluate genetic diversity and launched this in a first-of-its-kind test called Optimal Selection™. Dr. Hughes completed her veterinary degree, veterinary genetics residency, PhD in genetics, and held an associate clinical professor position at the University of California, Davis prior to joining Mars Petcare. She has been featured on NPR, PEOPLE Magazine, and many other media outlets, as well as, publishing research in multiple academic publications such as the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, PLOS One, and PLOS Genetics and contributed chapters to various textbooks.

Craig Datz, DVM, MS, DABVP, DACVN

Dr. Datz is a 1987 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. He spent 14 years in private companion animal practice and 11 years on the faculty at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine working in the areas of Community Practice and Clinical Nutrition. In 2012 he joined Royal Canin USA where he is the Director of Scientific Affairs. Dr. Datz is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition and is dual board-certified in canine/feline and feline practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.

Ilona Rodan, DVM, Dipl ABVP, Feline, CCBC, IABC

Dr. Ilona Rodan is ABVP certified in feline practice since 1995. Her passion is feline behavior and how to handle cats in veterinary practices to enhance feline welfare and human safety. She is the owner and director of Cat Behavior Consultations, and the former medical director and owner of the Cat Care Clinic in Madison, Wisconsin from 1987-2015.

Dr. Rodan is an active volunteer of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, a past-president and former chair of the AAFP Cat Friendly Practice program. She has also co-chaired several guidelines and welfare position statements, including the Feline-Friendly Handling, Feline Environmental Needs, and Pain Management guidelines. She presents nationally and internationally on feline medicine and behavior, and leads workshops on feline-friendly handling. In 2005, she was awarded the AVMA Animal Welfare Award for her leadership and contributions to advancing feline medicine and behavior. Rodan has written journal articles and book chapters, and is a co-editor and co-author of the veterinary textbook, Feline Behavioral Health and Welfare, published in 2015. Her goal is for every veterinary professional to learn how to safely interact with and handle cats during veterinary visits. In her spare time, she loves spending time outdoors in nature, kayaking, hiking, and snorkeling and spending time with her human and feline family.

Craig Datz, DVM, MS, DABVP, DACVN

Dr. Datz is a 1987 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. He spent 14 years in private companion animal practice and 11 years on the faculty at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine working in the areas of Community Practice and Clinical Nutrition. In 2012 he joined Royal Canin USA where he is the Director of Scientific Affairs. Dr. Datz is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition and is dual board-certified in canine/feline and feline practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.

Congressman Kurt Schrader

Congressman Kurt Schrader is currently serving his seventh term in the United States House of Representatives. He represents Oregon's 5th Congressional District, which includes all of Marion, Polk, Lincoln and Tillamook Counties as well as the bulk of Clackamas and small portions of Multnomah and Benton Counties. Before being elected to Congress, Schrader, a farmer and veterinarian for more than thirty years, established and managed the Clackamas County Veterinary Clinic in Oregon City and operated his farm where he grew and sold organic fruit and vegetables.

In 1996, Congressman Schrader was elected to the Oregon State House of Representatives. There he served as a member of the Joint Ways & Means Committee. Schrader was one of five legislators asked by their peers to guide Oregon through the budget crisis of 2001-2002. Schrader was elected to the Oregon State Senate in 2003 and was immediately appointed to chair the Joint Ways & Means Committee. He continued to serve in that capacity until he was elected to U.S. Congress in 2008.

Congressman Schrader attended Cornell University where he received his BA in Government in 1973. He received his veterinary degree from the University of Illinois in 1977.

Congressman Schrader currently serves as a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce (E&C), which oversees a wide portfolio of issues ranging from health care to the environment. Prior to joining E&C, Congressman Schrader served on the House Committee on Agriculture, where he served on the Farm Bill Conference Committee that successfully passed a five year farm bill, the House Committee on Small Business and House Budget Committee. In the 117th Congress, Congressman Schrader serves on the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, the Subcommittee on Energy, and the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Schrader is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, New Democrat Coalition, and the only bipartisan working group in the House, the Problem Solvers Caucus.

Brent Mayabb, DVM

Dr. Brent Mayabb is a veterinarian with both private practice and veterinary industry experience. He currently serves as the Global Chief Veterinary Officer for Royal Canin where he acts as a medical liaison between Royal Canin and corporate veterinary clinics and other key customers. Dr. Mayabb works alongside the global R&D and veterinary business teams to understand customer needs and translate those into innovation.

Prior to this role, Dr. Mayabb held the position of Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Chief Veterinary Officer for Royal Canin USA where he managed a team that built relationships with pet owners, veterinarians, veterinary specialists, regulators, government officials and non-profits to share knowledge and build the company’s reputation as thought leaders. Additionally, he has served as a Technical Service Veterinarian, Technical Service Team Lead and Manager of Learning and Development for Royal Canin USA. Before joining Mars, Dr. Mayabb worked in a small animal practice in Granite City, IL. He continues to do relief work in a small animal practice in St. Louis, MO, and is also an event volunteer for the Animal Protective Association of Missouri. He graduated from Murray State University with a degree in chemistry and earned his DVM from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Mayabb and his wife, Dr. Julie Mayabb (also a vet) have a cat named Tessa and dog named Eli.

Marty Greer, DVM, JD

Dr. Marty Greer received her Bachelor of Science in 1978 and my DVM in 1981 from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. In 1982 she established the Brownsville Small Animal Clinic in Dr. Griffith’s practice building and in 1988, moved the practice to Lomira. She has a special interest in Pediatrics and Reproduction. In 2002, Dr. Greer opened a Canine Semen Freezing Center, International Canine Semen Bank – Wisconsin (ICSB-WI/IL), and became Penn-Hip Certified.

In 2005, she was appointed by Governor Jim Doyle to a position on the Veterinary Examining Board of the Department of Safety and Professional Services, where she served for 8 years.

In 2010, Dr. Greer graduated from Marquette Law School. She practices law part-time with her law partner, Attorney Sheila Kessler, at Animal Legal Resources LLC

In 2014, she wrote Canine Reproduction and Neonatology a 470-page book about everything reproduction which was the Winner of Dog Writers Association of America's Dogwise Best Book Award.

Dr. Greer is active in the community as a member of the AVMA, NEWVMA, AAVSB, APDT, AAFP, SVME, The Society for Theriogenology, the Fond du Lac Kennel Club, The Kettle Moraine Kennel Club, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America, Lakeshore Pembroke Welsh Corgi Kennel Club, and the Lomira Area Chamber of Commerce.

She serves on the Board of Directors for the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics, American Veterinary Medical Law Association, and the Society for Theriogenology

Emmanuel Fontaine

Emmanuel Fontaine graduated from the Toulouse Veterinary School in 2004, he continued his studies at the Alfort Veterinary School (Paris) as trainee Vet in the domestic carnivore unit of the Reproduction Department. From 2005 to 2011, he worked at the Centre d’Etude en Reproduction des Carnivores (CERCA) [Research Centre for Reproduction in Carnivores], a unit specializing in pet breeding assistance.

Emmanuel Fontaine is also qualified at the European College for Animal Reproduction (ECAR) and completed his PhD in 2012 on the use of GnRH agonists in canines. From September 2011 to September 2018, he worked as Technical Services Veterinarian for the PRO team at Royal Canada. Since September 2018, he is in charge of the Regional Scientific Communication for the Americas at Royal Canin.

Marty Greer, DVM, JD

Dr. Marty Greer received her Bachelor of Science in 1978 and my DVM in 1981 from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. In 1982 she established the Brownsville Small Animal Clinic in Dr. Griffith’s practice building and in 1988, moved the practice to Lomira. She has a special interest in Pediatrics and Reproduction. In 2002, Dr. Greer opened a Canine Semen Freezing Center, International Canine Semen Bank – Wisconsin (ICSB-WI/IL), and became Penn-Hip Certified.

In 2005, she was appointed by Governor Jim Doyle to a position on the Veterinary Examining Board of the Department of Safety and Professional Services, where she served for 8 years.

In 2010, Dr. Greer graduated from Marquette Law School. She practices law part-time with her law partner, Attorney Sheila Kessler, at Animal Legal Resources LLC.

In 2014, she wrote Canine Reproduction and Neonatology a 470-page book about everything reproduction which was the Winner of Dog Writers Association of America's Dogwise Best Book Award.

Dr. Greer is active in the community as a member of the AVMA, NEWVMA, AAVSB, APDT, AAFP, SVME, The Society for Theriogenology, the Fond du Lac Kennel Club, The Kettle Moraine Kennel Club, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America, Lakeshore Pembroke Welsh Corgi Kennel Club, and the Lomira Area Chamber of Commerce.

She serves on the Board of Directors for the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics, American Veterinary Medical Law Association, and the Society for Theriogenology.

Emmanuel Fontaine

Emmanuel Fontaine graduated from the Toulouse Veterinary School in 2004, he continued his studies at the Alfort Veterinary School (Paris) as trainee Vet in the domestic carnivore unit of the Reproduction Department. From 2005 to 2011, he worked at the Centre d’Etude en Reproduction des Carnivores (CERCA) [Research Centre for Reproduction in Carnivores], a unit specializing in pet breeding assistance.

Emmanuel Fontaine is also qualified at the European College for Animal Reproduction (ECAR) and completed his PhD in 2012 on the use of GnRH agonists in canines. From September 2011 to September 2018, he worked as Technical Services Veterinarian for the PRO team at Royal Canada. Since September 2018, he is in charge of the Regional Scientific Communication for the Americas at Royal Canin.

Meagan Landress, CSLP

Meagan’s interest in finance started as a Junior in high school working as a bookkeeper for a fitness facility in her hometown. This role steered her towards studying finance in college at The Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University where she began her career in personal finance interning for a boutique financial planning firm in Atlanta, turned full-time after graduation. Meagan studied and learned the intricacies of personal financial planning for individuals and families to achieve their short, intermediate, and long-term financial goals. An issue Meagan consistently ran into with her clients was not having the proper education and training to advise on how to navigate their student loan debt, nor the platform to be able to properly service these clients.

Meagan started her own practice, Financial Coach Meagan, in March of 2017 with the intent and desire to specifically specialize in helping individuals who are beginning their financial planning journey with student loan debt in the mix. Meagan was the first person in Georgia to acquire her CSLP® designation - As a Certified Student Loan Professional™, her specialized education around student loan debt allows her to guide borrowers through informed repayment decisions taking into account their full financial situation and financial goals.

“I think my passion to help those with student loan debt comes from the fact that many professionals (44 Million borrowers) have student loans as part of their financial picture - often times with overwhelming balances (Over $1.52 Trillion debt outstanding). The complex and seemingly ever-changing nature of student loans makes knowing what repayment strategy is best for YOU, very difficult to navigate. 81% of Americans with student loan debt have delayed financial and/or other life-decisions as a result.

My goal is to bring peace of mind to my clients and borrowers by helping them gain control of their finances and feel confident in their financial futures.”Outside of the office, Meagan serves as Treasurer of the GA Association for Women Lawyers (GAWL) as well as President & CEO of the non-profit organization Power Suit Project, Inc. Meagan enjoys cooking, reading, and strength training; when she is not working or volunteering, you can often find her in the gym or cheering on the Atlanta Braves.

Brent Mayabb, DVM

Dr. Brent Mayabb is a veterinarian with both private practice and veterinary industry experience. He currently serves as the Global Chief Veterinary Officer for Royal Canin where he acts as a medical liaison between Royal Canin and corporate veterinary clinics and other key customers. Dr. Mayabb works alongside the global R&D and veterinary business teams to understand customer needs and translate those into innovation.

Prior to this role, Dr. Mayabb held the position of Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Chief Veterinary Officer for Royal Canin USA where he managed a team that built relationships with pet owners, veterinarians, veterinary specialists, regulators, government officials and non-profits to share knowledge and build the company’s reputation as thought leaders. Additionally, he has served as a Technical Service Veterinarian, Technical Service Team Lead and Manager of Learning and Development for Royal Canin USA. Before joining Mars, Dr. Mayabb worked in a small animal practice in Granite City, IL. He continues to do relief work in a small animal practice in St. Louis, MO, and is also an event volunteer for the Animal Protective Association of Missouri. He graduated from Murray State University with a degree in chemistry and earned his DVM from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Mayabb and his wife, Dr. Julie Mayabb (also a vet) have a cat named Tessa and dog named Eli.

Laura Pletz, DVM

Dr. Laura Pletz is a 2000 graduate of the University of Missouri-College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, she began work as an associate veterinarian in a small animal practice in St. Louis, MO, where she became one of the practice owners. During her time in practice, she was also the co-host of local radio show for pet owners seeking advice on the care of their pets. In 2012, she left private practice to join Royal Canin and currently holds the position of Scientific Services Manager, East US for Royal Canin.

Dr. Pletz also serves on the Board of Directors of the Women's Veterinary Development Initiative (WVLDI) and began her term as President-Elect of WVLDI in 2020. She is passionate about working to address the challenges facing today’s veterinarian and promoting opportunities for leadership in the veterinary profession, with a special emphasis on inclusion and diversity. She currently resides in the St. Louis area with her family.

Lisa M. Greenhill, MPA, EdD

Lisa Greenhill currently serves as the Senior Director for Institutional Research and Diversity at the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC). Dr. Greenhill directs the Association’s internal study of academic veterinary medicine through collaborative research, analysis and publication efforts. She also manages the DVM: DiVersity Matters initiative, which promotes increased representation of underrepresented persons in academic veterinary medicine, inclusive academic environments and the inclusion of diversity related professional competencies in the DVM curriculum.

Dr. Greenhill previously served nearly three years with the AAVMC, during which time she managed legislative and regulatory policy issues including agriculture production, biomedical research, professional education, food safety and environmental health. She holds a Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in public policy from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA and a Doctorate in Education from Benedictine University in Lisle, IL. She is mom to an amazing daughter and a terrier mix.

Laura Pletz, DVM

Dr. Laura Pletz is a 2000 graduate of the University of Missouri-College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, she began work as an associate veterinarian in a small animal practice in St. Louis, MO, where she became one of the practice owners. During her time in practice, she was also the co-host of local radio show for pet owners seeking advice on the care of their pets. In 2012, she left private practice to join Royal Canin and currently holds the position of Scientific Services Manager, East US for Royal Canin.

Dr. Pletz also serves on the Board of Directors of the Women's Veterinary Development Initiative (WVLDI) and began her term as President-Elect of WVLDI in 2020. She is passionate about working to address the challenges facing today’s veterinarian and promoting opportunities for leadership in the veterinary profession, with a special emphasis on inclusion and diversity. She currently resides in the St. Louis area with her family.

Lisa M. Greenhill, MPA, EdD

Lisa Greenhill currently serves as the Senior Director for Institutional Research and Diversity at the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC). Dr. Greenhill directs the Association’s internal study of academic veterinary medicine through collaborative research, analysis and publication efforts. She also manages the DVM: DiVersity Matters initiative, which promotes increased representation of underrepresented persons in academic veterinary medicine, inclusive academic environments and the inclusion of diversity related professional competencies in the DVM curriculum.

Dr. Greenhill previously served nearly three years with the AAVMC, during which time she managed legislative and regulatory policy issues including agriculture production, biomedical research, professional education, food safety and environmental health. She holds a Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in public policy from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA and a Doctorate in Education from Benedictine University in Lisle, IL. She is mom to an amazing daughter and a terrier mix.

Bob Betz

Bob Betz serves as a Vice President at Royal Canin where he is responsible for leading a cross-functional team driving recommendation for therapeutic and healthy pet diets through e-commerce. He previously served as the Vice President of Veterinary Sales, where his team was instrumental in the unprecedented growth for Royal Canin within the veterinary channel. Betz has held several other positions within Royal Canin, allowing him to establish the first-ever planning and analytics team which developed a robust demand management process and deployed the S&OP+ standardized operations process to the US business unit. He received his BS from Truman State University and MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. Prior to joining Royal Canin, Betz held finance, sales, and marketing roles at Anheuser-Busch and A.G. Edwards & Sons. He currently resides in St. Louis, MO with his wife Jennifer, three children – Lucas, Hannah, and Alexander – their dog (Dexter) and two kittens (Oreo and Belle).

Liz Bales, DVM, Founder of Doc and Phoebe’s Cat Company

Dr. Liz Bales is a graduate of Middlebury College and The University of Pennsylvania School Of Veterinary Medicine. She focuses on unique behavioral and wellness needs of cats. Dr Bales is a writer, speaker and featured expert in all things cat around the globe, including multiple appearances on Fox and Friends, ABC News, How I Built This, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Cheddar, QVC and more. Dr. Bales is the Chief Veterinary Advisor for Modern Cat Magazine. She is the founder of Doc and Phoebe’s Cat Company, and the inventor of The Hunting Feeder for cats. Dr. Bales launched The Hunting Feeder in 2016 as The NoBowl Feeding System with a successful kickstarter campaign, joined the Philadelphia 76ers Innovation Lab for two years and licensed the brand to global manufacturing and distribution company Ethical Products, where she is the spokesperson, product developer and marketing designer for the brand, landing her a spot on Women & Wealth Magazine features 19 women to watch for 2019. She has just launched V2 of The Hunting Feeder and is expanding the Doc & Phoebe’s Brand with 5 new products Dec 2020.

Craig Datz, DVM, MS, DABVP, DACVN

Dr. Datz is a 1987 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. He spent 14 years in private companion animal practice and 11 years on the faculty at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine working in the areas of Community Practice and Clinical Nutrition. In 2012 he joined Royal Canin USA where he is the Director of Scientific Affairs. Dr. Datz is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition and is dual board-certified in canine/feline and feline practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.

Megan Sprinkle, DVM

For the past 3 years, Megan Sprinkle has served as the Scientific Communications Veterinarian with Royal Canin. Prior to working with Royal Canin, she completed a Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Residency at the University of Missouri. She is married and has a young Great Dane named Eva. Megan has a special interest in helping cats and dogs maintain or achieve ideal body conditions and in sharing pet nutrition with anyone who will listen.

Marth Cline, DVM, DACVN

Dr. Martha Cline is a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed a small animal rotating internship at Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus, NJ and then returned to the University of Tennessee for a small animal clinical nutrition residency. She is board certified with the American College of Veterinary Nutrition. In 2013, she joined the staff at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in Tinton Falls, NJ where she currently practices small animal clinical nutrition full time.

Dr. Cline is the current president of the American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition (AAVN) and has served on their executive board since 2013. She has lectured on topics surrounding veterinary nutrition at national and international conferences including the American Veterinary Medical Association Convention and the Southern European Veterinary Conference. Dr. Cline has also authored and co-authored several book chapters and peer-reviewed articles in veterinary nutrition. She is the co-editor of the textbook “Obesity in the Dog and Cat.” In her spare time, she enjoys running with her English pointer, Dave. She also shares her home with her husband and two orange cats, Jake and Charles.

Craig Datz, DVM, MS, DABVP, DACVN

Dr. Datz is a 1987 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. He spent 14 years in private companion animal practice and 11 years on the faculty at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine working in the areas of Community Practice and Clinical Nutrition. In 2012 he joined Royal Canin USA where he is the Director of Scientific Affairs. Dr. Datz is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition and is dual board-certified in canine/feline and feline practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.

Dr. Jan Suchodolski, MedVet, DrVetMed, Ph.D., AGAF, DACVM

Jan S. Suchodolski graduated with a veterinary degree from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria. After working for several years in a small animal specialty clinic he returned to academia and in 2005, he received his Ph.D. in Veterinary Microbiology from Texas A&M University for his work on molecular markers for the assessment of the intestinal microbiota. He is also board certified in immunology by the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists (ACVM). He currently serves as Professor and Associate Director for Research of the GI Lab.

Dr. Jodi Davis

Dr. Jodi Davis is the Senior Manager of University Relations with Royal Canin and a 2002 graduate of the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She has been with Royal Canin for eight years. Prior to joining Royal Canin, she spent ten years in small-animal general practice in Michigan. In addition to her veterinary degree, Dr. Davis has an undergraduate teaching degree from Michigan Technological University. She majored in Biological Sciences with a focus on secondary education and spent a year teaching high school students.

Dr. Johanna (Joie) Watson

Dr. Watson is a Professor of Equine Medicine and Associate Dean of Professional Education at the University of California, Davis. She is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. She dedicated 25 years as an Equine Field Service Clinician at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital and served as Service Chief of LA Internal Medicine for several years. As Department Chair of the Medicine and Epidemiology Department she worked to hire exceptional and diverse faculty. Her research program is focused on equine infectious and allergic respiratory disease. Dr. Watson has provided instruction in didactic and clinical teaching settings and received the School of Veterinary Medicine Faculty Distinguished Teaching Award in 2014. Dr. Watson serves on the Steering Committee for the Teaching Academy of the Consortium of West Region Colleges of Veterinary Medicine, helping to provide a platform for faculty to share ideas about teaching, learning and educational scholarship.

Dr. Craig Datz, DVM, MS, DABVP, DACVN

Dr. Datz is a 1987 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. He spent 14 years in private companion animal practice and 11 years on the faculty at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine working in the areas of Community Practice and Clinical Nutrition. In 2012 he joined Royal Canin USA where he is the Director of Scientific Affairs. Dr. Datz is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition and is dual board-certified in canine/feline and feline practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.

Megan Sprinkle, DVM

For the past 3 years, Megan Sprinkle has served as the Scientific Communications Veterinarian with Royal Canin. Prior to working with Royal Canin, she completed a Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Residency at the University of Missouri. She is married and has a young Great Dane named Eva. Megan has a special interest in helping cats and dogs maintain or achieve ideal body conditions and in sharing pet nutrition with anyone who will listen.

Dr. Lindsay Bullen

Lindsey Bullen, DVM, ACVN earned her veterinary degree at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where she also completed an internship, fellowship, and residency in clinical nutrition. She currently works as a nutritionist at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital of the Carolinas, which she created in 2017. Dr. Bullen is particularly interested in clinical nutrition application, specifically: critical care, multi-disease state, and assisted feeding. Though she is no longer in academia, Dr. Bullen brings experience and a strong passion for teaching. When she is not working in clinics, she travels across the country lecturing the veterinary community.

Dr. Bullen and her husband, Nathan, currently live in Apex, North Carolina with their sons Arthur (3) and Rowan (4 months), their cats, Ida and Maya, and dog, Heidi.

Bri Morrow

Brianne “Bri” Morrow, LVT, VTS (Nutrition) is the Nutrition Communications Lead for Royal Canin USA and has been with the company for ten years. Bri is a graduate from the State University of New York at Delhi with an A.A.S in Veterinary Science Technology and from Stony Brook University with a Bachelors in Anthropology. She obtained her license in veterinary technology in 2006 and has continued her professional development to become a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Nutrition, 2018. Bri has an enthusiasm and personal drive to embolden the passion in others around veterinary nutrition. She enjoys spending time with her husband David, son Emmett, two dogs Wally and Magik and her new quaran-kittens Dundee and Ruth Bader Ginspurr.

Kelsey Carpenter

Kelsey Beth Carpenter is a Registered Veterinary Technician, social media manager, singer/songwriter, speaker/performer, and content creator. Kelsey works in the ER at a large veterinary practice in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she enjoys being part of an open hospital structure and teaching others how to implement one for themselves. Kelsey also works as the Social Media Manager for DrAndyRoark.com, the Content Specialist for the Uncharted Veterinary Conferences and Community, and the manager of her own growing brand, Vet Tech Kelsey. With a background in the arts, Kelsey is passionate about the power of creativity, the importance of humor, and the magic that happens when art and science overlap.

Dr. Brent Mayabb

Dr. Brent Mayabb is a veterinarian with both private practice and veterinary industry experience. He currently serves as the Global Chief Veterinary Officer for Royal Canin where he acts as a medical liaison between Royal Canin and corporate veterinary clinics and other key customers. Dr. Mayabb works alongside the global R&D and veterinary business teams to understand customer needs and translate those into innovation.

Prior to this role, Dr. Mayabb held the position of Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Chief Veterinary Officer for Royal Canin USA where he managed a team that built relationships with pet owners, veterinarians, veterinary specialists, regulators, government officials and non-profits to share knowledge and build the company’s reputation as thought leaders. Additionally, he has served as a Technical Service Veterinarian, Technical Service Team Lead and Manager of Learning and Development for Royal Canin USA. Before joining Mars, Dr. Mayabb worked in a small animal practice in Granite City, IL. He continues to do relief work in a small animal practice in St. Louis, MO, and is also an event volunteer for the Animal Protective Association of Missouri. He graduated from Murray State University with a degree in chemistry and earned his DVM from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Mayabb and his wife, Dr. Julie Mayabb (also a vet) have a cat named Tessa and dog named Eli.

Dr. James Barr

James Barr, DVM, DACVECC, is the Chief Medical Officer for BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital, which has more than 95 practices across 27 U.S. states. A native of northern Louisiana, Dr. Barr holds undergraduate and veterinary degrees from Louisiana State University. He was a staff criticalist at Florida Veterinary Specialists (BluePearl’s original hospital), then left to teach at Texas A&M University in 2009. Dr. Barr returned to BluePearl in 2017 to serve as a Group Medical Director, before becoming its Chief Medical Officer.

Dr. Craig DatzCraig Datz, DVM, MS, DABVP, DACVN

Dr. Datz is a 1987 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. He spent 14 years in private companion animal practice and 11 years on the faculty at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine working in the areas of Community Practice and Clinical Nutrition. In 2012 he joined Royal Canin USA where he is the Director of Scientific Affairs. Dr. Datz is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition and is dual board-certified in canine/feline and feline practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.

Dr. Megan Sprinkle

For the past 3 years, Megan Sprinkle has served as the Scientific Communications Veterinarian with Royal Canin. Prior to working with Royal Canin, she completed a Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Residency at the University of Missouri. She is married and has a young Great Dane named Eva. Megan has a special interest in helping cats and dogs maintain or achieve ideal body conditions and in sharing pet nutrition with anyone who will listen.

Dr. Lindsey Bullen

Lindsey Bullen, DVM, ACVN earned her veterinary degree at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where she also completed an internship, fellowship, and residency in clinical nutrition. She currently works as a nutritionist at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital of the Carolinas, which she created in 2017. Dr. Bullen is particularly interested in clinical nutrition application, specifically: critical care, multi-disease state, and assisted feeding. Though she is no longer in academia, Dr. Bullen brings experience and a strong passion for teaching. When she is not working in clinics, she travels across the country lecturing the veterinary community.

Dr. Bullen and her husband, Nathan, currently live in Apex, North Carolina with their sons Arthur (3) and Rowan (4 months), their cats, Ida and Maya, and dog, Heidi.

Dr. Craig DatzCraig Datz, DVM, MS, DABVP, DACVN

Dr. Datz is a 1987 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. He spent 14 years in private companion animal practice and 11 years on the faculty at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine working in the areas of Community Practice and Clinical Nutrition. In 2012 he joined Royal Canin USA where he is the Director of Scientific Affairs. Dr. Datz is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition and is dual board-certified in canine/feline and feline practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.

Dr. Megan Sprinkle

For the past 3 years, Megan Sprinkle has served as the Scientific Communications Veterinarian with Royal Canin. Prior to working with Royal Canin, she completed a Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Residency at the University of Missouri. She is married and has a young Great Dane named Eva. Megan has a special interest in helping cats and dogs maintain or achieve ideal body conditions and in sharing pet nutrition with anyone who will listen.

Dr. Lily Johnson

Dr. Johnson earned her veterinary degree at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. She completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery and returned to Tufts for her clinical nutrition residency. Dr. Johnson is a board-certified Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition.

Dr. Johnson’s clinical interests include food allergies, chronic kidney disease, challenging obesity cases, and formulation of home-cooked diet recipes. She enjoys educating both veterinary teams and pet owners about the importance of nutrition in pet health.

Dr. Gail Golab

Dr. Golab is Chief Veterinary Officer for the American Veterinary Medical Association, overseeing the association’s Animal and Public Health, Animal Welfare, and Global Outreach Divisions. Previously, Dr. Golab has served as Chief Advocacy and Public Policy Officer, as Director of the Animal Welfare Division, and in a variety of other roles in the AVMA’s Publications, Education and Research, and Communications Divisions. Before her tenure at the AVMA, she spent several years in private companion animal practice, and prior to that served as Biochemical/Biomedical Research Consultant at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University of Illinois.

Dr. Golab is best known for her more than 30 years of work in the human-animal interactions/animal welfare field that began as an undergraduate; transcends both professional degrees; has included opportunities for exposure to a variety of concerns affecting diverse species; and includes experience in research, policy development, and practical applications. Accordingly, she has served on advisory committees on the care and use of animals in agriculture, biomedical research, the pet industry, entertainment, transport, and human healthcare applications.

She graduated with a PhD from Texas A&M University, a DVM from the University of Illinois, is certified as a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (Animal Welfare), is a charter diplomate of the American College of Animal Welfare (an AVMA-recognized veterinary specialty board), and a Distinguished Practitioner in the National Academies of Practice.

Dr. Kendall Houlihan

Dr. Houlihan has served as Assistant Director in the Animal Welfare Division at the AVMA since 2014. In that role, she supports the mission and vision of the AVMA regarding the development and implementation of animal welfare policies utilizing sound scientific evidence and consideration of ethical and societal implications. With focus on companion animal issues, specific responsibilities include providing staff support to the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee and Steering Committee on Human-Animal Interactions, as well as serving on the AVMA's IACUC and attending allied organization meetings to foster collaborative relationships with a variety of other veterinary organizations and stakeholder groups. Previously, she practiced as a companion animal veterinarian in the Chicagoland area. Dr. Houlihan earned her undergraduate degree from University of Notre Dame, and her veterinary degree from University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.

Dr. Laura Pletz

Dr. Laura Pletz is a 2000 graduate of the University of Missouri-College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, she began work as an associate veterinarian in a small animal practice in St. Louis, MO, where she became one of the practice owners. During her time in practice, she was also the co-host of local radio show for pet owners seeking advice on the care of their pets. In 2012, she left private practice to join Royal Canin and currently holds the position of Scientific Services Manager, East US for Royal Canin.

Dr. Pletz also serves on the Board of Directors of the Women's Veterinary Development Initiative (WVLDI) and began her term as President-Elect of WVLDI in 2020. She is passionate about working to address the challenges facing today’s veterinarian and promoting opportunities for leadership in the veterinary profession, with a special emphasis on inclusion and diversity. She currently resides in the St. Louis area with her family.

Dr. Natalie Marks

Dr. Natalie Marks obtained her bachelor’s degree with High Honors in Animal Science from the University of Illinois in 1998, and then proceeded to obtain a Masters in Veterinary Medicine and Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree with High Honors from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. She became a Certified Veterinary Journalist in 2018.

She has been a veterinarian at Blum Animal Hospital since 2006, co-owner until 2018 and current Medical Director. Prior to 2006, Dr. Marks worked at a small animal practice just north of Atlanta, GA. Her media experience began in print when she created several monthly veterinary columns in multiple community magazines and was a frequent guest speaker for the German Shepherd and Bernese Mountain Dog clubs of Atlanta.

Since her return to Chicago, Dr. Marks became very active in the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, serving on the executive board. She was also a past board member of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association and she is an active volunteer to the American Veterinary Medical Association and American Animal Hospital Association. Dr. Marks recently received the prestigious Dr. Erwin Small First Decade Award, presented to a veterinarian that has contributed the most to organized veterinary medicine in his or her first decade of practice. In 2012, Dr. Marks was awarded Petplan’s nationally-recognized Veterinarian of the Year. In 2015, she was awarded America’s Favorite Veterinarian by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. And, most recently in 2017, she was awarded Nobivac’s Veterinarian of the Year for her work on canine Influenza.

Dr. Marks is very active and passionate about educating in all aspects of media, both locally and nationally. She has appeared on Good Day Chicago, WGN-Pet Central, NBC Morning News, ABC, CBS, NPR, WBBM, Northwestern University media channel and many local websites. Dr. Marks was featured nationally on the Today Show and CBS Nightly News during the canine influenza epidemic of 2015 and in multiple issues of JAVMA. She is a guest contributor in multiple media campaigns for Merck, Zoetis (formerly Pfizer), Boerhinger-Ingelheim, Ceva and Royal Canin. Additionally, Dr. Marks has a regular column in Today’s Veterinary Business, Healthy Pet magazine, has been published in Veterinary Medicine magazine, DVM magazine, Dogster, Vetted, PetVet and was a reporter for Veterinary News Network where she completed intensive media training.

Dr. Marks finds the ideal combination of teaching/mentoring and improving the emotional health of pets in the Fear Free movement. She sits on the Fear Free Executive Council and is a national educator helping other private practitioners develop these techniques. She also led her practice to become the 7th nationally and first practice in Illinois to become a Fear Free Certified Hospital. When Dr, Marks is not working, she treasures her time with her family and her three wonderful children: Sophia, Evan and Madeline. Dr. Marks loves traveling, scuba diving, cooking and spending time outdoors, especially anywhere there is a beach!

Dr. Leslie Estelle

Dr. Leslie Estelle received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2006 where she was awarded AAHA’s “Senior Student Clinical Proficiency in Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery”. Dr. Estelle then completed a 13-month internship at VCA South Shore Animal Hospital in Massachusetts. After she completed her internship she returned to Madison as a general practitioner where she has enjoyed many aspects of practice, particularly geriatric medicine, dentistry, nutrition and dermatology.

In 2015, Dr. Estelle joined Royal Canin as a Scientific Services Veterinarian and was the technical support for the upper Midwest. She was awarded the Royal Canin USA “Scientific Services Veterinarian of the Year” for 2017. As a Scientific Services Veterinarian she provided continuing education seminars, case consultations, and helped with outreach. In July 2020, she became Vet Services and Consumer Affairs Manager leading a team of vet and consumer nutritional advisors. Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Estelle has a strong interest in supporting women early on in their veterinary careers to gain confidence in their clinical and leadership abilities and is a promoter of diversity and inclusion in all aspects. She’s also an active member of AVMA, AAVN and Wisconsin’s VMA.

Kim Van Syoc

Kim Van Syoc is executive director of the Banfield Foundation, the charitable arm of Banfield Pet Hospital, the largest general veterinary practice in the world. Under Kim’s leadership, since its launch in 2015, the Banfield Foundation has awarded more than $8.5 million in grants and improved the health, safety and wellbeing of more than 3.5 million pets in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Guam. Kim also helped launch, and currently serves as president of the Better Together Fund, a separate public charity which empowers Banfield and BluePearl associates to support one another with critical financial assistance in the event of natural or manmade disasters.

Kim joined Banfield Pet Hospital in 2009 after spending more than 12 years working in public relations. Prior to her role at the Banfield Foundation, Kim served as Banfield’s director of external communications, overseeing public relations, crisis communications, stakeholder engagement and Corporate Social Responsibility. Kim’s achievements include the creation and management of the annual State of Pet Health Report, the largest report of its kind, now in its 10th year. She has also been instrumental in elevating the importance of pets when it comes to disaster relief and preparation, spearheading efforts with Banfield Pet Hospital and the Banfield Foundation to raise awareness and provide direct financial assistance to impacted communities and pets.

Kim was listed in 2017 as one of PR News’ “Top Women in PR,” and her efforts have received numerous awards and recognitions, including PR News Platinum PR Awards, PR Week Awards, PRSA-NY Big Apple Awards, Mars Petcare Leaders Choice Awards, and two Mars Make the Difference Global Awards.

Kim serves on the Board of Trustees for the Oregon Zoo Foundation and is the chair of the Tourism Advisory Board for the City of Lake Oswego, Oregon, where she lives with her family.

Dr. Brent Mayabb

Dr. Brent Mayabb is a veterinarian with both private practice and veterinary industry experience. He currently serves as the Global Chief Veterinary Officer for Royal Canin where he acts as a medical liaison between Royal Canin and corporate veterinary clinics and other key customers. Dr. Mayabb works alongside the global R&D and veterinary business teams to understand customer needs and translate those into innovation.

Prior to this role, Dr. Mayabb held the position of Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Chief Veterinary Officer for Royal Canin USA where he managed a team that built relationships with pet owners, veterinarians, veterinary specialists, regulators, government officials and non-profits to share knowledge and build the company’s reputation as thought leaders. Additionally, he has served as a Technical Service Veterinarian, Technical Service Team Lead and Manager of Learning and Development for Royal Canin USA. Before joining Mars, Dr. Mayabb worked in a small animal practice in Granite City, IL. He continues to do relief work in a small animal practice in St. Louis, MO, and is also an event volunteer for the Animal Protective Association of Missouri. He graduated from Murray State University with a degree in chemistry and earned his DVM from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Mayabb and his wife, Dr. Julie Mayabb (also a vet) have a cat named Tessa and dog named Eli.

Dr. Catherine Lenox

Dr. Catherine Lenox received her veterinary degree from the University of Missouri in 2007. After veterinary school, she completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship at Colorado State University and a residency in veterinary clinical nutrition at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. She was board certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition in 2011. Lenox spent three years in clinical practice at a large specialty hospital prior to joining the Royal Canin team in August 2014. She is currently Scientific Affairs Manager at Royal Canin USA.

Dr. Jane Brunt

CATalyst Council Executive DirectorAmerican Association of Feline Practitioners Past President

Dr. Brunt, CATalyst Council Executive Director, is one of the leading feline practitioners in the United States, having practiced feline-exclusive medicine for more than twenty years. Her practice philosophy of striving for excellence, providing compassionate care with empathy and courteous service while fostering the special bond has earned her accolades from her professional colleagues and her feline patients’ owners.

In 1984, only four years after finishing veterinary school at Kansas State University, Dr. Brunt founded Cat Hospital At Towson (CHAT) in Baltimore, Maryland, the first feline-exclusive veterinary hospital in the state. Dr. Brunt opened a second practice, the Cat Hospital Eastern Shore in Cordova, Md., in June of 2001. Both hospitals became accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association in 2002.

Through her 23-year membership in the American Association of Feline Practitioners, Dr. Brunt has participated in the veterinary and public discourse of many feline issues. Dr. Brunt served as AAFP president in 2006.

Dr. Brunt has co-authored articles in several peer-reviewed journals including the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) and the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (JFMS), and has been cited in several consumer print publications such as Cat Fancy and Cat Watch. She has appeared on radio and television to educate the public about numerous cat health issues.

Dr. Chris Carpenter

Dr. Chris Carpenter has worked for years to help tweens and teens explore their dreams of becoming a veterinarian. Dr. Carpenter is also a published author. His latest book “Vet Set Go!” was written to solve a problem most future veterinarians face.

Dr. Carpenter holds a license to practice veterinary medicine in multiple states throughout the US. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the National Science Teachers Association. In addition to his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Carpenter holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Florida and a Masters of Business Administration from New Hampshire College.

Today, in addition to his work with Vet Set Go, Dr. Carpenter directs the non-profit Companion Animal Parasite Council. An organization that is dedicated to keeping pets and people protected from parasitic diseases. Dr. Carpenter now lives in St. Augustine, Florida, with his wife, daughter and a goofy Labradoodle named Jackson.

Dr. Brent Mayabb

Dr. Brent Mayabb is a veterinarian with both private practice and veterinary industry experience. He currently serves as the Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Chief Veterinary Officer for Royal Canin USA. Dr. Mayabb manages a team that builds relationships with pet owners, veterinarians, veterinary specialists, regulators, government officials and non-profits to share knowledge and build the company’s reputation as thought leaders. He also acts as the veterinary voice for the US business and represents the company in both internal and external forums on pet health and nutrition. Dr. Mayabb serves as one of Royal Canin’s official spokespeople and works directly with various groups in the animal health industry to bring our point-of-view to relevant topics.

Prior to this role, he served as a Technical Service Veterinarian, Technical Service Team Lead and Manager of Learning and Development for Royal Canin. Before joining Mars, Dr. Mayabb worked in a small animal practice in Granite City, IL. He continues to do relief work in a small animal practice in St. Louis, MO, and is also an event volunteer at the Animal Protective Association of Missouri. He graduated from Murray State University with a degree in Chemistry and earned his DVM from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Mayabb and his wife, Julie (also a vet) have a cat named Tessa and dog named Eli.

Dr. Cathy Meeks

Dr. Cathy Meeks started her veterinary career as a full time technician while getting her Master's degree in Forensic Toxicology. After veterinary school, she did an internship and then a residency in Internal Medicine as she enjoyed the investigative and diagnostic role of an internist. Her specific interests in internal medicine include immune mediated diseases and endocrinology.

In 2012, Dr. Meeks took on a lead veterinary role in a private practice as a Medical Director while continuing to practice medicine. In 2015, she became a Group Medical Director for Bluepearl, working with the hospitals in the Northeast. As her development in leadership continued, she was promoted to Regional Vice President of Medicine in 2019. She now helps to manage 15 hospitals in the Northeast.

Dr. Meeks enjoys running and any water sports including paddle boarding, fishing, swimming, etc. She has 2 rescue dogs, a 13 year old Jack Russel Terrier (Scrappy) and a 6 year old Doberman (Lainey).

Dr. Matt Jurikson

Dr. Matt Jurikson has extensive experience both in-clinic and within the veterinary industry. He has worked in both private and corporate veterinary practices and start-ups. After creating and leading a pet care center, including retail space, he served in various industry roles, including Director of Scientific Services for Royal Canin USA. He currently is an Associate Director of Major Accounts at Zoetis. Dr. Jurikson is skilled in building high-performing teams, strategy, operations and leadership. He continues to do relief work in veterinary clinics to stay current with clinical practice.

Dr. Jurikson received his VMD from the University of Pennsylvania and his MBA from The Wharton School of Business.

Dr. Kimberly Pope-Robinson

Dr. Kimberly Pope-Robinson has served the veterinary field for over 20 years. After graduating from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2000, she practiced in both the large and small animal sectors. In 2007 Dr. Pope transitioned from running a veterinary practice to supporting and managing multiple veterinary hospital locations in a leadership position for a corporate veterinary practice. Drawing from her experience and knowledge in this leadership role Dr. Pope then took a position in the pharmaceutical industry where she specifically worked with veterinary specialists as well as veterinary schools. Her work during this time was focused on helping veterinary specialists develop and grow their practice and providing support and development opportunities to students and faculty at the colleges she worked with.

Dr. Pope’s medical experience, in addition to supporting over 200 veterinarians and their teams, provided her with a unique exposure to the ins and outs of the veterinary profession. From this experience, she has a strong understanding of the stresses involved with being a vet which can lead to a lack of fulfillment in the profession. Dr. Pope has found that helping others find the path to manage perfectionist tendencies as well as their personal shame while helping individuals to develop the skills of self-forgiveness and resilience is the foundation to a sustainable career in the Veterinary Medical industry.

Dr. Laura Pletz

Dr. Laura Pletz joined Royal Canin USA in September 2012 as the Technical Services Manager, leading a team of veterinary technicians in providing consultations and managing the consumer care function for Royal Canin USA. She was promoted to the position of Scientific Services Manager for the East US in 2016 to lead a team of veterinarians working in the field with a focus on key opinion leader and University outreach, as well as technical support for the veterinary sales team and their customers. Dr. Pletz has also worked closely with the communications team on public relations and serves as a spokesperson for Royal Canin USA.

Prior to joining Mars, Dr. Pletz worked in a small animal practice in Ballwin, MO, where she was also one of the practice owners. During this time, she was also a co-host of a local animal advice radio program. When not working, she is volunteering her time serving on the board of directors for the Women’s Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative.

Dr. Pletz conducted her undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri and then received her DVM from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. Dr. Pletz and her two sons, Hayden and Brendan, reside in Wildwood, MO, and recently added to their family by adopting a 7-year-old cat named Dwight.

Dr. Catherine Lenox

Dr. Catherine Lenox received her veterinary degree from the University of Missouri in 2007. After veterinary school, she completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship at Colorado State University and a residency in veterinary clinical nutrition at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. She was board certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition in 2011. Lenox spent three years in clinical practice at a large specialty hospital prior to joining the Royal Canin team in August 2014. She is currently Scientific Affairs Manager at Royal Canin USA.

Dr. Lisa Weeth

Like most veterinarians, Dr. Weeth has loved animals since she was a kid whether it was the stray kittens and puppies she convinced her parents she *needed* to rescue or the hours she spent working as a technician in veterinary clinics in high school and in college. She that graduated from the University of California (UC), Davis, first in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Evolution & Ecology and then again in 2002 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).

After graduating from veterinary school Dr. Weeth worked as a General Practice and Emergency veterinarian in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Weeth then returned to UC Davis once again in 2004 to start a residency in Small Animal Clinical Nutrition. She completed the 3-year residency and became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN) in June of 2007. A month after that Dr. Weeth and her family moved to New Jersey where she to establish the first dedicated full-time Clinical Nutrition Department in a private veterinary hospital.

Dr. Weeth moved to practice in the UK and established Weeth Nutritional Services to provide Nutrition Telemedicine services to veterinarians in the US and UK. In 2016, she and her family relocated to Los Angeles where she began offering nutrition counseling and consulting to caregivers and veterinarians.

Dr. Andy Roark

Dr. Andy Roark is a practicing veterinarian, international speaker, author, and media personality. He is the founder of the Uncharted Veterinary Conference and DrAndyRoark.com. He has been an award-winning columnist for DVM360 and his popular Facebook page, website, podcast and YouTube show reach millions of people every month.

Dr. Roark has received the NAVC Practice Management Speaker of the Year Award three times, the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Veterinarian of the Year Award from the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians. His greatest achievement involves marrying an educator and scientist and raising 2 kind and wonderful little girls.

Dr. Megan Hill

Dr. Megan Hill received her DVM from Colorado State University and has experience in a variety of practice settings focusing on preventative medicine and the human-animal bond. Since joining Royal Canin in 2014 as a Scientific Services Veterinarian, Dr. Hill has provided high-quality nutritional education for practicing veterinarians as well as Royal Canin Associates across North America. Dr. Hill is passionate about bringing nutrition to the front of veterinary consultations and helping the veterinary industry partner with pet owners to embrace science-based nutrition and its link to overall pet health.