Schedule: Veterinary Business and Economic Forum

2024 schedule

Note: All times are listed in Central Time. Schedule is subject to change.

Meet the presenters

Dr. Lauren Barry

Dr. Lauren Barry is a 2007 veterinary graduate of the University of Liverpool in England. Since graduating, she has focused on small animal general practice and took the opportunity to move to California in 2011 when recruited by a large veterinary corporation. Dr. Barry is now the owner and currently sole practitioner at Baker Ranch Animal Hospital in Orange County, California. The practice is small but mighty—much like Dr. Barry. She has a diverse team that provides high-touch, low-stress care to dogs and cats—and empowers clients to partner in the health of their pets. Dr. Barry is a mom to two energetic boys and lives with her husband and two dogs. She is also a certified yoga instructor and enjoys hot yoga to balance her busy life.

Dr. Tony Bartels, MBA

Tony Bartels, graduated in 2012 from Colorado State University's combined MBA/DVM program. He is a VIN Foundation board member, student debt expert, and an employee of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). He and his wife, a small-animal internal medicine specialist practicing in Colorado, have more than $400,000 in veterinary school debt that they manage using federal income-driven repayment plans. By necessity (and now obsession), his professional activities include researching and speaking on veterinary student debt, providing guidance to colleagues on loan-repayment strategies, and contributing to VIN Foundation resources. Beyond debt, his professional interests include small animal practice and veterinary economics.

When he's not staring holes into his colleagues' student-loan data, Tony enjoys fly fishing, rafting, camping, and exploring Colorado with his wife, Audra, daughter, Lucy, and their two rescued canines, Addi and Maggie.

Brittany Bond, PhD

Brittany Bond is an organizational theorist and economic sociologist who investigates the importance of status recognition in labor market outcomes. Specifically, she researches how personnel management systems, including talent recruitment and performance assessment, shape careers and impact the long-term performance of firms. Her current interests center around what leads high performers to grow dissatisfied with their jobs and look for new employers.

Leslie Boudreau, BSVT, CVPM

Leslie Boudreau has been a veterinary technologist and practice administrator in Southern California for over 30 years. She earned her associate degree in veterinary technology from Mt. San Antonio College and her bachelor's degree in veterinary technology–hospital management, from St. Petersburg College, Florida. In 2011, she became a certified veterinary practice manager. She holds three human resources certifications: PHR (professional in human resources), PHRca (California-specific certification), and SPHR (senior professional in human resources). She is currently finishing her MBA in human resources management.

Boudreau is very active with the Orange County Veterinary Hospital Manager's Group and is a founding member. She is the past president of the California Registered Veterinary Technician's Association (CaRVTA) and the current vice president for the Veterinary Hospital Manager's Association (VHMA). She lectures locally and nationally on a wide range of veterinary topics including human resources, veterinary technician utilization, and staff training. She is currently a hospital administrator and partner at Animal Hospital of Huntington Beach, a nine-veterinarian, AAHA-accredited, small animal and exotic general practice with over 60 employees.

Dr. Bryan Clarke

Dr. Bryan Clarke was born and raised in Tampa and earned both his bachelor's degree and DVM from the University of Florida. He graduated from veterinary school in 2010, in the top 8% of his class. He then entered private emergency and general practice in Jacksonville before moving back to Tampa and joining Tampa Bay Vets in 2012. In 2017, he helped bring All Creatures Animal Hospital into the Tampa Bay Vets family.

Dr. Clarke is board certified in canine and feline practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. His professional interests include internal medicine, oncology, and endoscopy. He holds a certification from the University of Georgia in flexible endoscopy and is certified in PennHIP imaging for the detection of hip dysplasia.

He has also has received his cat-friendly veterinarian and human-animal bond certifications through the Feline Veterinary Medical Association, formerly the American Association of Feline Practitioners, and the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, and is a Fear Free certified veterinarian. While he loves the scientific challenges presented by practicing medicine, he feels passionately that the best part of veterinary medicine is caring for the entire family and the ability to improve clients’ lives through their pets.

Dr. Clarke has been a member of Veterinary Management Groups (VMG) since 2018. During that time he has served on the Strategic Opportunities Committee, which serves as the spearhead for VMG membership in engaging with industry preferred partners and strategic planning.

Dr. Clarke and his wife Kim have a son, Hudson. They also share their home with two standard poodles (Charlie and Stella), an Irish setter (Emma Rose), and a spirited cat (Monamie). In his spare time, Dr. Clarke enjoys equestrian activities, backpacking, following Lightning hockey and Gator football, and most of all spending time with his family.

Dr. Meg Conlon

Dr. Meg Conlon, executive director of professional services for Merck Animal Health, leads the companion animal professional services veterinary team, pharmacovigilance, veterinary insights and medical affairs, and the strategic accounts veterinary team. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and her DVM from Virginia Tech. She practiced general medicine and surgery as an associate veterinarian in a mixed animal hospital before joining Novartis Animal Health as a professional services veterinarian.

While at Novartis, Dr. Conlon managed veterinarians, then became the director of commercial training and development, followed by executive director of commercial operations. With the acquisition of Novartis by Elanco, she led commercial training at Elanco before joining IDEXX in 2016 as the professional services veterinarian (PSV) for the Carolinas. A few years later she became a PSV manager, then a PSV director. Prior to going to veterinary school, Dr. Conlon worked for nearly 15 years in government in the U.S. and Canada, including serving as communications director for a United States senator and as an assistant media relations coordinator for the 50th anniversary of the NATO Summit with the State Department and White House.

When not working she enjoys running, biking, travel and reading. Much of that she does with her husband, David, and daughter Anna Daisy. The rest of the time is spent with her pugs, Beckham and Wendell, and cat, Fern.

Dr. Christie Cornelius

Dr. Christie Cornelius is a veterinarian and business mentor living and practicing in the state of Texas. She has an extensive background in veterinary medicine, business administration and technology, with a focus on the business of veterinary hospice. Dr. Cornelius obtained her DVM from Texas A&M University in 2004, and an MBA from Rice University in 2024. She became certified in hospice and palliative care through the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care in 2017.

An entrepreneur through and through, Dr. Cornelius has founded two separate successful pet hospice companies, a pet aquamation company, a pet cremation software company, and a non-profit organization established to provide access to end-of-life pet care for low-income individuals and families. Dr. Cornelius now focuses on improving access to end-of-life veterinary care within communities and supporting other entrepreneurial veterinary professionals through the creation of resources, consultation, and mentorship. She was elected to the board of directors of the Independent Veterinary Practitioner Association in 2024, and chairs its Outreach Committee, dedicated to increasing awareness of the value that independently owned practices bring to their communities around the country.

Dr. Christopher Doherty, MBA

Christopher Doherty, DVM, CBV, MBA, is assistant director for strategic business research and outreach at the AVMA. Dr. Doherty obtained his DVM degree at the Ontario Veterinary College, his MBA at McMaster University's DeGroote School of Business, and is a chartered business valuator.

In his role with the AVMA, he analyzes data pertaining to new and early career veterinarians, as well as the veterinary labor market, and works in tandem with the rest of the Veterinary Economics Division team to aide in the translation of research findings into tools, resources, and actionable items that veterinarians can utilize and implement in their practices and their careers.

Sheri Gilmartin, CVT

Sheri Gilmartin is a credentialed veterinary technician and vice president of sales and marketing at Vetsource. She began her career in the veterinary profession over 26 years ago at a small animal practice outside of Boston. Since then, she's held various positions in both sales and marketing at Hill's Pet Nutrition, Vetsource, and Patterson Veterinary. She is committed to helping veterinary practices be more successful.

Adam Grant, PhD

Adam Grant has been Wharton's top-rated professor for seven years. He has been recognized as one of the world's 10 most influential management thinkers and Fortune's 40 under 40. He is the author of multiple #1 New York Times best-selling books that have sold millions of copies and been translated into 45 languages—including "Hidden Potential," "Think Again," "Give and Take," and "Originals." His viral piece on languishing was the most-read New York Times article of 2021 and the most-saved article across all platforms.

Grant's TED talks on givers and takers, languishing, and original thinkers have been viewed more than 35 million times. He received a standing ovation at TED, and his speaking and consulting clients include Google, the NBA, the Gates Foundation, and the World Economic Forum, where he has been honored as a Young Global Leader. He hosts the TED podcasts Re:Thinking and WorkLife; writes on work and psychology for The New York Times; and has served on the Defense Innovation Board at the Pentagon.

He has over 8 million followers on social media and shares monthly insights in his newsletter, GRANTED. He received his BA from Harvard and his PhD from the University of Michigan. He is a former magician and junior Olympic springboard diver.

Lisa Greenhill, EdD

Dr. Lisa M. Greenhill originally joined the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) in 1996 and has worked for the association on three separate occasions. Most recently, she joined the AAVMC in 2004 as the associate executive director for institutional research and diversity before becoming senior director for institutional research and chief diversity officer. Her work primarily focuses on the ongoing development and implementation of the DiVersity Matters initiative at the national and local levels, as well as promoting the veterinary medical profession within underrepresented and marginalized communities.

Greenhill also directs the association’s national research agenda. She collects and analyzes data and produces reports related to academic veterinary medicine to include the applicant pool, enrollment, institutional economic impact and diversity.

Previously, she worked as a research associate at the American Indian Higher Education Consortium and as the legislative manager for the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.

She holds a master's degree in public administration (with a specialization in health policy) from George Mason University and an EdD in higher education administration and organizational change from Benedictine University.

She is the mother of an adult daughter and the owner of a fun-loving terrier mix. She also currently runs a blog about adoption in communities of color.

Dr. Bridget Hanley

Dr. Bridget Hanley earned her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania and her biology degree from Albright College. She dedicated 15 years to small animal practice before transitioning seven years ago to Merck Animal Health’s pharmacovigilance department, where she is now an associate director. Recently, Dr. Hanley competed a master’s certificate in positive organizational development from Champlain College and became deeply interested in the field of wellbeing through her studies in cultures of wellbeing. She lives near Philadelphia with her husband, 13-year-old twin girls, a 21-year-old stepson, and a variety of pets including an English Bulldog, a rabbit, a bearded dragon, and a koi pond. She is co-lead of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Street Dog Coalition, where she helps bring veterinary care to the pets of people experiencing homelessness.

Dr. Jeffery Horn

Dr. Jeffrey Horn is a 1999 graduate of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. An Orange County native, he returned to his Orange County roots and has worked in progressive veterinary practices there for the past 24 years. In 2011 Dr. Horn founded the OC Veterinary Medical Center, moving to its current location in 2012. To help his aging canine patients live more rewarding lives, Dr. Horn received specialization certification in canine rehabilitation therapy from the world-renowned program at the University of Tennessee.

His goal is to give his patients long, healthy lives and their families as much enjoyment together as possible. Dr. Horn lives in Orange County, with family. They have a dog and cat (both rescues) and a goat (his daughter raises goats). The pets pretty much run the household and allow their humans to live with them. When he is not playing fetch or walking with his dog, or at the hospital, Dr. Horn enjoys hiking, swimming, and sometimes just reading quietly (especially on the beach).

Dr. Horn has a goal of taking his family to see all our national parks. So far, they've visited 58 parks, so they have come a long way to meet this goal. Dr. Horn also spends a lot of time doing volunteer work with the Yorba Linda Cloverleaf 4H Club as their veterinarian. (He never thought he'd work on sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, or cattle after vet school—surprise!)

Maisey Kent, MBA

Maisey Kent is an economist at the AVMA 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 bachelor's degree in marketing from Delta State University as well as an MBA with an emphasis in information systems management also from Delta State University.

Lina M. Khan

Lina M. Khan is chair of the Federal Trade Commission, which enforces the nation's antitrust and consumer protection laws. Khan got her start in antitrust as a business reporter and researcher examining consolidation across markets, from airlines to chicken farming. Since joining the FTC, Khan has focused on exercising the full suite of the FTC's statutory authorities, regularly engaging with and hearing from the public, and ensuring the agency is updating its tools and skillsets to tackle new market realities and next-generation challenges. Priority initiatives have included a proposed rule to ban non-compete clauses, scrutinizing dominant middlemen across sectors, protecting people's sensitive data from unchecked surveillance, and fighting for Americans' right to access affordable, high-quality healthcare.

Prior to joining the FTC, Khan served as counsel to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law. She also was an associate professor at Columbia Law School. Khan is a graduate of Williams College and Yale Law School.

Elizabeth McClean, PhD

Elizabeth McClean, PhD, is an associate professor in the Management and Organizations Department within the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University. She holds three degrees, including her PhD, from the Industrial and Labor Relations School at Cornell. She joined the Johnson College of Business as faculty in 2021. Prior, she was an assistant professor at the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona and a human capital consultant at Mercer.

McClean is an expert on the topics of leading change, diversity, and strategic human resource management. She teaches on a variety of topics including leadership; leading change effectively; managing teams; critical and strategic thinking; diversity, equity and inclusion; and motivating and rewarding employees.

Her primary area of research focuses on bottom-up organizational change. She studies what motivates employees to speak up with ideas for change and the consequences when they do. She is interested in the factors that impede organizations and managers from leveraging their employees' ideas to drive innovation. She often partners with organizations to understand how leaders can create cultures of innovation where employees feel comfortable suggesting ideas for change and managers have the power to respond to them. Her secondary area of research focuses on gender in the workplace. She examines how the consequences of speaking up differ for men versus women and how both can be successful at selling their ideas for change to managers. More broadly, her work explores how organizational policies and practices affect the experiences of women in regard to their access to positions of power, compensation, and the evaluation of their workplace contributions.

Colorado State Rep. Dr. Karen McCormick

Colorado State Rep. Dr. Karen McCormick grew up in a career Navy family with a father who served 30 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a rear admiral. Her two brothers, mother, and dad moved every year or two during her childhood, exposing her to the vast diversity of communities that make up our country. Through this experience she learned the meaning of service, respect, integrity, and dedication to democratic values.

Rep. McCormick attended college at the University of Florida, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in agriculture before going on to earn her DVM. Practicing veterinary medicine for over 34 years further strengthened her belief in the power of respectful listening and compassion. She ran her own successful small business in Boulder, Colorado, serving the community with excellence in veterinary care for over 16 years. She is a problem solver at heart.

She serves as chair of the House Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources committee at the Colorado General Assembly. She is also a member of the House Health and Human Services Committee. Her work revolves around animal care, water in the West, climate, and healthcare. She is running for her third term in office serving Colorado House District 11.

Rep. McCormick and her husband have three adult children and a Golden Retriever. They live in Longmont, Colorado, which has been their home for 30 years.

Katelyn McCullock, MS

Katelyn McCullock the AVMA's chief economist and is responsible for leading the Veterinary Economics Division at AVMA. She has over 15 years' experience working in the field of agricultural economics with a focus around livestock economics. Prior to joining AVMA, McCullock ran the Livestock Marketing Information Center, which specializes in livestock marketing economics and commodity forecasting. She has worked in various roles related to livestock agriculture including advocacy and animal welfare work with American Farm Bureau Federation.

Katelyn earned her bachelor of science in agribusiness and resource management, 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.

Frederic Ouedraogo, PhD

Frederic Ouedraogo is the senior economist and associate director of economics at the AVMA. In this role, he analyzes a breadth of data to understand the veterinary workforce and assess the condition and performance of the veterinary industry. He holds a PhD in agricultural economics from Oklahoma State University.

Dr. Paula Parker, MBA

Paula Parker BVSc (Hons), MVS, MBA, MANZCVS (ECC), GAICD is the chief of professional relationships and strategic initiatives at the American Veterinary Medical Association and oversees the organization's partnerships and veterinary economics divisions. She is a veterinarian, graduating from the University of Queensland's School of Veterinary Science, and an MBA, graduating from the Australian Institute of Business.

She also is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Emergency and Critical Care, and holds a master's degree in small animal clinical practice from Murdoch University. With close to 20 years' experience in animal health, Dr. Parker combines over a decade of experience in veterinary clinical practice in Asia-Pacific, spanning large animal, mixed animal, and referral emergency and critical care practice, with experience in veterinary corporate management, nonprofit association governance, and veterinary education accreditation in multiple global markets.

She has been involved in organized veterinary medicine throughout her career, most notably as the president and board chair of the Australian Veterinary Association from 2017–2019. She also served as the chair of the Australian Veterinary Association's Veterinary Business Group, and convener of the Australian Veterinary Business Summit.

In 2019, Dr. Parker was recognized as Young Alumni of the Year by the University of Queensland for her contributions to advancing the veterinary profession and veterinary medicine.

Amy Ramirez, LVT, LAT

Amy Ramirez is BluePearl's director of nursing and training, and has worked within the hospitals for the past 21 years. Her roles have included technician manager, practice manager, veterinary relations representative, hospital administrator, and director of field operations. She worked in general practice and lab animal medicine early in her career, and she also has experience with the Army Institute of Surgical Research, where she focused on hemostasis, reperfusion injury and ventilation modalities.

As director of nursing and training, Ramirez works closely with BluePearl's divisional nursing partners to elevate the role of assistants and veterinary technicians by ensuring they can work to the top of their licensure. She is passionate about creating career paths that support veterinary technicians over the course of their careers. She and her team of divisional nursing partners provide support for patient care associates across 100+ hospitals.

Caitlin Ray, PhD

Caitlin Ray is an assistant professor of human resource studies at Cornell University's Industrial and Labor Relations School. Professor Ray's teaching and research focuses on understanding how employees collectively bring value to their organizations. This includes an emphasis on how dynamic properties—such as employee mobility and relational properties—such as employee relationships alters the relationship between employees and collective outcomes, such as firm performance. She also has an interest in research methodology and analytics and frequently utilizes longitudinal and multilevel datasets. Her research has been published in the Academy of Management Review, Strategic Management Journal, and the Journal of Management. She received her PhD from the University of South Carolina with a major in organizational behavior/human resources and a minor in research methods.

Sunita Sah, MD, PhD

Dr. Sunita Sah is a physician turned professor of organizational psychology who has spent over a decade researching influence, authority, speaking up, and defiance. She is director of Cornell University's Academic Leadership Institute, and leads workshops on leadership, negotiations, and critical thinking for executives, leaders, and students in healthcare and business. She is a sought-after international speaker and consultant, advisor to government agencies, and former commissioner of the National Commission on Forensic Science. Her forthcoming book "Defy: The Power of No in a World that Demands Yes" takes readers through her five stages of defiance and provides simple tools to speak up and act when it matters most.

Dr. Julie Smith, MBA

Dr. Smith graduated from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 1992. She went on to do an internship at North Carolina State University, and then a residency in surgery at the University of Georgia. She was an associate professor at Kansas State University in soft-tissue surgery prior to starting as an associate surgeon for Veterinary Surgical Associates (VSA) in 1997—which later became SAGE Veterinary Centers. She became board-certified in surgery in 1997 and one of the practice owners in 1999.

Dr. Smith became a managing partner for SAGE Veterinary Centers in 2010 and received an MBA from Saint Mary's College in 2013. She served as medical director from 2013 to 2018 as well. In 2018, she became a SAGE Veterinary Centers Board Member and worked directly with the executive and leadership teams as chief strategy officer. She retired from SAGE Veterinary Centers in 2022 after a 25-year career.

She serves as the treasurer for the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) and is chair of the AVMA's Veterinary Economics Strategy Committee. She serves on the Leadership Council for the Positive Coaching Alliance, a nonprofit whose goal is to change culture and behavior throughout youth sports.

In 2019 Dr. Smith began work to form SAGE Compassion for Animals (SAGEC4A). SAGEC4A is a 501c3 nonprofit that strives to prevent suffering and euthanasia by providing financial assistance to families with companion animals in medical crisis. She serves as executive director. In 2023, she received her coaching certificate from the Hudson Institute of Coaching and provides career and leadership coaching to individuals.

Anders Sörman-Nilsson

Anders Sörman-Nilsson is a visionary futurist and a global authority at the intersection of digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and sustainability. As the founder of the avant-garde think tank Thinque, he offers data-driven insights and strategic foresight to global brands, helping them navigate the complexities of the modern world.

With a client roster that includes industry giants such as Apple, Meta, Google, McKinsey, Lego, and Rugby New Zealand, Sörman-Nilsson is trusted by leaders across four continents to provide guidance on the cutting edge of technology and innovation.

He specializes in decoding complex trends and turning challenging questions into actionable strategies, inspiring audiences to embrace change and future-proof their organizations. He holds a global executive MBA and brings a unique blend of strategy, entrepreneurial acumen, and forward-thinking approach.

Sörman-Nilsson is the acclaimed author of three pivotal books on digital transformation and innovation: "Aftershock;" "Seamless;" and "Digilogue." He is a brand ambassador for Adobe, and his thought leadership extends to impactful trend reports like "How Artificial Intelligence is Powering Australian Retail," commissioned by Microsoft; creation of marketing award-winning tools like the Adobe Creative Intelligence test; and brand collaborations with Meta, ING Bank, Jaguar Land Rover, and Zurich.

A recognized figure in global thought leadership, Sörman-Nilsson is a member of TEDGlobal and the Entrepreneurs Organization, where he serves as the leadership impact chair for the Sydney chapter. His nomination to the World Economic Forum's Young Global Leaders in 2019 underscores his influence and commitment to shaping a sustainable future.

Sörman-Nilsson's insights have been featured in prestigious media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and the BBC, establishing him as a leading voice in the realm of futurism. As host of the 2nd Renaissance Podcast and the Entrepreneurs Organization's Scaling Impact podcast, he continues to explore and share revolutionary ideas that expand minds and inspire a change of heart.

Dr. Justin Toth

Originally from Georgia, Dr. Justin Toth graduated in 1997 from Auburn University. After working as an associate for three years, he founded Dallas Highway Animal Hospital in Powder Springs, Georgia, in 2000. Dallas Highway Animal Hospital remains family owned and operated.

Dr. Toth is a past president for the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association and a former AVMA alternate delegate. He currently serves as president of The Cobb County Veterinary Medical Association, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine Advisory Board, Cobb County Animal Services Board, and Veterinary Advisory Board for The Farmer’s Dog.

In his free time, Dr. Toth enjoys travelling with his wife Sandy. He is currently touring all the major league ballparks and has seen 11 of the 30 stadiums.

John Volk

John Volk is an expert in strategy and market research, and is highly knowledgeable about companion animal, equine and food animal practice. He is principal author of five landmark studies of the veterinary profession: Brakke Study of Financial and Economic Behaviors of Veterinarians (1998), AVMA-Pfizer Business Practices Study (2005), Bayer Veterinary Care Usage Study (2011-13), VPI Veterinary Economics Financial Health Study (2014), and Merck Animal Health Veterinary Wellbeing Studies (2017, 2019, 2021, 2023).

A widely respected executive, Volk has been recognized numerous times for his professional achievements. In 2019 VetPartners, the association of veterinary practice management consultants, presented its Pioneer Professional Award to him for his "vision and contributions to the business of veterinary medicine."

Volk is a graduate of the University of Illinois, where he earned a BS in agricultural communications and did graduate work in marketing. He also served as communications director for the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Peter Weinstein, MBA

Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA is a husband, father, pet parent, veterinarian, and leader. He has been involved with virtually all aspects of veterinary practice from a 15-year-old kennel kid to a hospital owner. Organized veterinary medicine has been a passion as well with various roles and leadership and presidencies of Southern California VMA, California VMA, and Vet Partners. He is a published author, most notably of "The E-Myth Veterinarian—Why Most Veterinary Practices Don't Work and What to Do About It."

Currently, he is teaching business and finance at the Veterinary College of Western University of Health Sciences. He likes to think of himself as a free-thinking change agent and disruptor who, because he has a daughter who just graduated from veterinary school, is working for an even better veterinary profession in the future.

Dr. Bill Williams

Dr. Bill Williams graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 1995 with his wife, Dr. Amanda Fales-Williams. Since then, he has gained extensive experience in companion animal practice in central Iowa, both as an associate and practice owner. Dr. Williams is currently a co-owner of Altoona Veterinary Hospital and Hubbell Animal Hospital, both 35-plus-year AAHA-accredited small animal practices in Altoona and Des Moines, where he serves as co-medical director.

In April 2023, Dr. Williams began his academic career as a part-time clinical assistant professor in the Primary Care Department at the Iowa State University Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center. He also has held several leadership positions within the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, including a term as president from 2011 to 2012. He was the AVMA House of Delegates Iowa alternate delegate from September 2018 to July 2022, when he transitioned to his current role as delegate.

Dr. Williams enjoys engaging with students and groups at the ISU CVM and beyond about opportunities in veterinary medicine. His contributions to the profession have been recognized with several awards, including the prestigious ISU-CVM William P. Switzer Award and IVMA President’s Award. Drs. Williams and Fales-Williams, a veterinary pathologist at Iowa State University, are the only spouses to be named IVMA "Veterinarian(s) of the Year." They live in Ames, Iowa, and have two children, Laurel and William, two dogs, two cats, one tortoise, one Amazon parrot, and a horse.

Duanyi Yang, PhD

Duanyi Yang is an assistant professor of global labor and work at Cornell University's Industrial and Labor Relations School. Her research examines employee voice and organizational work-family policies and their effects on workers' wellbeing, career trajectories, and gender inequality. Professor Yang received her PhD from the Institute for Work and Employment Research at MIT Sloan School of Management in 2020.