AVMA PLIT names Donlin CEO

Published on April 03, 2013
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Dr. Donlin
Dr. Janet Dee Donlin

The AVMA PLIT announced the appointment of Dr. Janet Dee Donlin as its chief executive officer, effective April 1. Dr. Donlin will be based in the PLIT headquarters in Chicago and will report to the PLIT board of trustees. She took over the position from Dr. Rodney G. Johnson, who will retire this summer.

“Given Dr. Donlin’s extensive management and leadership experience in the veterinary profession and at AVMA, she will provide the strategic focus we were seeking in our CEO,” Dr. R.C. Ebert, PLIT chair, said. “We are excited to have her join us as we continue to grow in 2013 and beyond, serving the needs of AVMA members with a sponsored insurance program that offers the very best in asset and business protection.”

Most recently, Dr. Donlin served as chief veterinary officer at Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc., where for six years she was responsible for managing the company’s global veterinary teams and driving the development of innovative products and services for the veterinary profession. Dr. Donlin served in several executive roles at the AVMA from 1991-2007, including assistant and interim director of the Scientific Activities Division, associate executive vice president, interim CEO of the National Council on Veterinary Economic Issues, and assistant executive vice president.

She began her career in a mixed animal practice, then held faculty positions at the University of Minnesota while also working at an emergency clinic.

Dr. Donlin graduated from the University of Minnesota with a DVM degree in 1981 and a Bachelor of Science in medical technology. In 2006, she became the first veterinarian to obtain the “certified association executive” credential from the American Society of Association Executives. She is a member of the AVMA, Kansas VMA, American Animal Hospital Association, ASAE, and American Association of Corporate and Public Practice Veterinarians, which she currently serves as a board member. Recently, Dr. Donlin served as a trustee for the AVMA Group Health & Life Insurance Trust.