2025 SPEAKERS

Dr. Lori Teller is a graduate of Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, and she is a board-certified diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) in Canine and Feline Practice. She is a Clinical Professor at TAMU and is passionate about her teaching role in...

Alan Robinson has been a veterinary surgeon in practice for over 20 years, a successful business consultant to over 1200 practices worldwide and a director of Vet Dynamics. His mission is re-igniting Purpose, Passion, People and Performance in Independent Veterinary Practices His company, Vet...

Emma graduated from Glasgow University vet school in 2001, with commendation. Moving to Australia she pursued her interest in small animal practice working across several clinics, where she could focus on client relationships and a problem solving approach to patient care. Emma joined OurVet in...

Dr Russell Harrison BVSc GradCertHSM GAICDRussell Harrison is a purpose-driven leader with a comprehensive career encompassing animal health, human health, and disability support services. Russell is passionate about supporting career development, fostering innovation, and developing...

Dr Bronwyn is passionate about improving the health and welfare of animals, and has more than a decade of experience as a veterinarian. As well as her clinical work, she also actively advocates on behalf of the wider veterinary profession in the media. Qualifications: BVSc, MSc (IAWEL), MANZCVS...

Dr. Catherine Chan BVSc (Hons I) FANZCVS (Veterinary Oncology) Diplomate ACVIM (Oncology)Veterinary Oncologist | Founding Director of The Pet OncologistI am a board-certified veterinary oncologist with credentials from both the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS)...

Dr. Maureen Cooper Oncologist, DVM, MANZCVS small animal medicine, FANZCVS veterinary oncology Melbourne Animal Cancer Care

Ben is a distinguished Specialist who combines academic excellence with years of experience and a spectrum of specialised skills including soft tissue surgeries Ben completed his undergraduate degree in Veterinary Science at Melbourne University, before going on to complete a Masters in Veterinary ...

Dr. Crystal Loh is a board certified veterinary dentist and the owner-operator of New Zealand Veterinary Dentistry Ltd., a mobile specialty dental referral service in the Waikato region of New Zealand. Dr. Loh graduated in 2007 from the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, and...

Dr Kayoko Kuroda graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 2006.  Since completing her degree, she has pursued her twin passions of teaching and clinical practice while working in small animal general practice around Queensland.  She obtained Membership in ...

Laura qualified from Napier University in Edinburgh with an honours degree in veterinary nursing in 2010 and subsequently became an registered vet nurse with the RCVS in the UK. In 2015 she moved to Australia and started her journey into emergency and critical care, working in a variety of clinical ...

Susan is a senior lecturer in exotics animals and wildlife at the University of Melbourne. She works clinically within the Greencross Veterinary Hospital for the University of Melbourne, at Geelong Animal Emergency and is a casual vet for Zoos Victoria working at both Melbourne Zoo and Werribee...

Rachel graduated from the University of Sydney in 2009 and worked in general practice at various clinics in Sydney. She then started an internship at UVTHS before beginning a surgical residency. Rachel completed her memberships in small animal surgery in 2014 and finished her surgical residency at...

Carol Bradley has had a long 42-year career at the University of Melbourne's Faculty of Veterinary Science, Teaching Hospital in Werribee.  She served as the Small and Large Animal Operating Suite Supervisor and was Head of the Central Sterilising Services Department (CSSD) for 28 years. ...

Dr Jackie Campbell is one of Australia’s leading voices in the field of veterinary palliative care. As the owner of Sunset Vets, the country’s largest network of veterinarians focused exclusively on palliative and end-of-life care, Jackie spends much of her time helping families to effectively...

Dr. Nellie Choi completed her undergraduate veterinary degree at Murdoch University, Western Australia in 2009. After graduation, she worked in various general practices in Australia for 5 years before starting a veterinary dermatology residency in California with the Animal Dermatology...

Dr Anthony Caiafa BVSc BDSc MANZCVSAnthony graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree in 1978. He worked in companion animal practice for 17 years and obtained his membership level in Small Animal Surgery (1992) and Veterinary Dentistry (1993). He then...

I am a Radiation Therapist with Brisbane Veterinary Specialists Centre, I work closely with a team of Veterinary Radiation Oncologists, Vet Surgeons and Medical Physicists in preparing the computed radiation treatment plans and delivering the treatments on our new TrueBeam Linear Accelerator. I...

Emma has a global network and much experience in assisting veterinarians in their careers. Emma uses her unique talents in seeing the connections and synergies between a veterinary professionals' interests, skill set and her knowledge of what the job marketplace wants and has on offer. Emma is...

Emily De Mather RVN A qualified nurse of twenty years, I discovered a love of anaesthesia eight years ago when I took a chance on a job in the anaesthesia department at The University of Melbourne Vet School. Under the guidance of three inspiring anaesthesia specialists and a team of uniquely...

Geoffrey Golovsky BVSc(hons) MANZCVS (SAS) SUMMARY Motivated, Determined and Influential Entrepreneur, Family man, Veterinarian, Lifesaver, Community Focused    PROFESSIOINAL EXPERIENCE Vet HQ Veterinary Hospitals Double Bay Established 2006 from scratch and is now one of the largest GP...

Tasmiya Hussein graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 1995. Since then she has worked in busy 24 hour veterinary hospitals in a variety of roles including emergency, consultation and hospital shifts. Her love for veterinary ultrasound initially started more out of necessity than...

Wendy is a Registered Veterinary Nurse Specialist (NZ) and Veterinary Technician Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine. Since 2008, Wendy has held various roles in veterinary practices across New Zealand and was awarded NZ Vet Nurse of the Year in 2015. Wendy holds numerous...

Lauren is an Australian Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) with over 15 years of clinical experience, dedicated to the dynamic field of emergency and critical care medicine. An Accredited Veterinary Nurse (AVN), she completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2010 and has since built a...

Dr. Kate Mornement holds a Ph.D. in animal behaviour and is a Board Certified Applied Animal Behaviourist (CAAB) through the Animal Behavior Society. She has devoted the past 20 years sharing her expertise through her consulting business Pets Behaving Badly and recently founded Pet Behaviour...

Michelle is a commercial and property lawyer who specialises in assisting the healthcare industry, including vets. She is also a member of the Australian Veterinary Palliative Care Advisory Council and voluntarily assists the Council with legal research. Law is Michelle’s second career, inspired...

Mel’s business, Cooper and Kids specialises in creating safe, happy and positive relationships between babies, kids and dogs. She is a busy mum of three human babies and two beautiful golden retrievers, Cooper and Scout. She absolutely understands the chaos and the juggle that comes with running a...

Dr James Simcock is a specialist small animal surgeon, international speaker, and co-owner of Southpaws—a leading multi-site veterinary referral hospital in Melbourne, Australia. A diplomate of both the ACVS and ECVS, James is known for his expertise in advanced orthopaedic procedures, including...

Charleyne has been working as a veterinary nurse in general, specialist, university & research practices for over 15years. She has a Certificate IV in Trainer and Assessor, a diploma in Emergency and Critical Care, and is a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Anaesthesia and Analgesia. In 2023...

Dr Joanne Sheen graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2004. She holds a Certificate in Zoological Medicine from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in the UK, and in 2017, became a Diplomate in the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Exotic Companion Mammal Practice. She is...

Dr Vanessa Rohlf is a research fellow at La Trobe University. In additional to her academic role, she is a registered clinical counsellor with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). Through the provision of counselling, group debriefs, tailored workshops and consultation ...

Camilla Whishaw BHSc (Nat) Equine Naturopath, Nutritionist & Herbalist Optim Equine   Camilla Whishaw BHSc (Nat) is a highly respected and sought after Equine Naturopath, Nutritionist and Herbalist. Based in Australia, Camilla consults both nationally and globally to leading...

Angela Willemsen is a veterinarian based in Brisbane, Australia, with a strong focus on infection prevention and control (IPC) in veterinary practice. She originally worked as a (human) registered nurse, which shaped her understanding of infection control principles and developed her interest in...

Originally from Guelph, Ontario, Nicole embarked on her journey into veterinary nursing as a kennel hand in 2009 and subsequently graduated from Seneca College with a diploma in Veterinary Technology in 2013, earning the title of Veterinary Technician (dip)VT. She is a registered member of the...

Asha is a registered and accredited veterinary nurse from Melbourne, with over 17 years of industry experience. Holding a Diploma of Veterinary Nursing to specialise in Emergency & Critical Care, Asha spent 16 years at the University of Melbourne Veterinary Hospital where she developed her...

Sarah Stoddart is the founder and sole director of Vitality Law Australia, an award winning boutique law firm which specialises in advising healthcare business owners across Australia on commercial, property, regulatory and employment law matters.  A leader in her field, she has extensive...

Dr. Sarah Webb is a passionate veterinarian dedicated to fostering a healthier and more sustainable future for the veterinary profession. Graduating from Charles Sturt University in 2022, she is committed to raising awareness about the unique challenges faced by veterinarians often leading to...

Sara qualified as a registered veterinary nurse with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2011. After working in clinical practice for several years, Sara returned to study in 2018 and completed the Certificate in Veterinary Nursing for Emergency and Critical Care (CertVNECC). In 2022 Sara...

Dr Jeannet Kessels is a creative entrepreneur and climate advocate: owner of Greater Springfield Veterinary, founding chair of Vets for Climate Action (VFCA) and creator of Groodles Australia, an incredible community enterprise which has so far raised over $700,000 for charity. Jeannet has a...

Angela is originally from the UK and qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2003. She spent seven years working in a large 24-hour clinic just North of London and completed her RCVS Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing before moving to Australia in 2010. Since then, she has worked in a...

Charles Kuntz, DVM, MS Diplomate ACVS, ACVS Founding Fellow of Surgical Oncology, Founder and Director of Southpaws Specialty Surgery for Animals, Registered Specialist of Small Animal Surgery Charles graduated with a DVM from the University of Florida in 1990. He then did an internship at the...

Jocelyn Birch Baker BVSc (Hons), Founder, practice owner, veterinarian, mother.  Jocelyn is dedicated to inspiring and enabling veterinary women to achieve whatever they desire in their careers while balancing it with their families and their lives.  Since graduating in 1983, Jocelyn has...

Dr Joshua King is a specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine.  He graduated in 2004 from the University of Queensland with first class honours.  He worked for 10 years in general, university and emergency practice.  His passion, however, has always been internal medicine!  This led to him...

Dr Mia Cobb leads canine welfare science research at the University of Melbourne's Animal Welfare Science Centre as the inaugural Chaser Innovation Research Fellow. With experience spanning RSPCA Victoria's shelter and nearly a decade as Training Kennels & Veterinary Clinic Manager at...

Skye MacKenzieI am a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne within the Melbourne Veterinary School, specialising in endocrinopathic and metabolic disorders in equids (with a focus on equine laminitis). My research combines both laboratory and fieldwork to enhance the understanding and...

Professor Shokoofeh Shamsi is a leading expert in fish health, parasitology, and aquatic animal biosecurity. She is a professor at Charles Sturt University, where she specialises in fish diseases, parasite ecology, and their impacts on aquaculture, fisheries, and conservation.Professor Shamsi has...

CEO and Veterinary, Director Living Legends: The International Home of Rest for Champion Horses, and Principal Equine Connections Private Consultancy

Benji graduated from The University of Sydney as a Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 2016. Following this, he worked in pet sales for some time before completing an MBA. Due to his keen interest in nutraceuticals and research, Benji joined ADM Protexin in 2019 when Pro-Kolin first launched in...

I'm Jack Levitt, the founder and president of Flynn's Walk - a mental health and suicide prevention charity started in memory of Dr Flynn Hargreaves, a veterinarian, who sadly passed away by suicide in 2018.  Since then, we've held annual community events to bring people together to...

Dr Karina GrahamSpecialist in Small Animal MedicineBVSc (Hons), FANZCVS (Small Animal Medicine)Dr. Karina Graham is a highly respected Specialist in Small Animal Medicine with a profound dedication to advancing veterinary care. Karina achieved a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Hons) from Sydney...

I have been in the vet industry for 18 years which included time in general practice and ECC and have been General Manager of Petstock Vet for the last 8 years.I completed my Bachelor of Veterinary Science at the University of Melbourne, Graduate Certificate in Business at Monash University and am...

Jessica Dawson is a PhD candidate at La Trobe University in the School of Psychology and Public Health, specializing in anthrozoology—the study of human-animal relationships. Her research interests encompass a wide range of topics related to how humans and animals coexist. Specifically, her PhD...

Sam Bowden is a seasoned business leader with a passion for driving innovation and excellence in the veterinary industry. As the CEO of Accelerate Practice Academy, Sam brings a wealth of experience in business development, strategic planning, and leadership training. With a background in both...

Michael Bambacas is the founder and director of Create Learning. He brings over sixteen years experience in building greater employee engagement, productivity and return on learning and development investment. He designs and facilitates evidence-based learning programs and enjoys creating a space...

Alex, successfully completed the Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing (BVN) degree in 2019 when it was first introduced. Since then, her professional journey extends to teaching, as she has been a faculty member at Melbourne Polytechnic since 2022 and has obtained a Graduate Certificate in Higher...

With a deep-rooted expertise in finance, strategy, and operations, Shelin has carved a niche for herself in the startup and scale-up advisory landscape. Her work at CFOWorx, especially within the realm of SaaS business models, has seen her play a pivotal role in capital raising initiatives, having...

Over the past 15 years, Danii has enjoyed a rewarding career in veterinary nursing, including almost 10 years in emergency and critical care. Now, as the dedicated practice manager for a leading end-of-life care service, she ensures that every pet's final journey is guided with love and...

I have been a part of the Our Vet team since 2017 working in clinic with the team before stepping into a Regional Managers Role with Pet stock for NSW, QLD & NZ. I started in the Veterinary Industry in 2001, working in a very busy privately owned GP Clinic with a variety of wildlife and...

Rhonda Ponder RVN, AVN, DipVN(GP), DipVN(Surgery) With over 20 years of experience in the veterinary industry, Rhonda’s career encompasses general practice, specialty surgery and anaesthesia, emergency and critical care, management and professional development. She holds Diplomas in Veterinary...

Nikki Catley is the owner of Paws for Talk, a grief facilitation service to support pet guardians with end of life and quality of life assessment. Nikki  has worked in the animal industry all her life and is passionate about helping pet parents and families navigate end of life decisions of pet...

Thulasi graduated from Murdoch University in 2008 and is a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (Veterinary Behaviour). With a background in consulting veterinary practice, she is passionate about improving patient welfare through effective anxiety management...

My PhD in Entrepreneurship has exposed that altruism affects the recognised drivers of business intentions, particularly for socially purposed businesses (which veterinary practice is). Motivated to untangle and answer important questions about veterinarians and veterinary business, I may have...

Irina graduated from Justus-Liebig University in Giessen, Germany, in 2010. She undertook her doctoral thesis on molecular genetics in canine cancer patients. Irina completed an oncology internship at VRCC in the United Kingdom, followed by an oncology residency at the University of Liverpool. She...

Dr Anupam Sharma, founder, was born and raised in the Middle East and in India. Her somewhat tumultuous upbringing lead her to gravitate towards animals. From victim to survivor, and now a warrior, her life experiences allow her a deeper insight into the human condition. Dr Anupam Sharma graduated ...

Dr James Ramsden is an expert in veterinary digital marketing and communications. With professional experience as a veterinarian, he founded Petpack in 2001, Australasia’s leading provider of online marketing and communication services run by vets, for vets. Every day, hundreds of veterinary...

Dr Claire JenkinsVetChat founder & CEO, BVSc (Hons), MANZCVS (SAM)Dr Claire Jenkins is a Queensland-trained veterinarian with nearly 20 years of experience caring for animals across Australia and the UK. A passionate advocate for accessible, preventative care, Claire believes that...

Ron started out as a service engineer and worked for many years with various medical manufacturers, including monitoring and ultrasound.   Although technically minded, there was a transition from technical to customer training and sales, leading to several roles as sales and service support to...

Dr Jess Moore-Jones is an occasional vet, a low-key business owner, a no BS-consultant, and a constantly-late mum. Having led teams large and small, from animal shelters to zoo departments to specialist hospitals, Jess is slightly annoyingly obsessed with keeping vets engaged, fulfilled and...

Pauline is an Organisational & Coaching Psychologist creating and sustaining psychologically healthy workplaces. She has pioneered an innovative approach to supporting veterinary practices. In partnership with Blackwater Vets in the UK since 2019 she works in concert with the practice owner and ...

Mick KirwanCorporate Equipment Manager, VetTechMick Kirwan began his career with a foundation in electronics, receiving specialized training through the Department of Defence Navy. He then transitioned into the biomedical field at Westmead Hospital, where he was responsible for the...

Dr. Laura McGuffog is the lead Victorian veterinarian for Rest Your Paws - Australia’s leading in-home palliative care and euthanasia service for beloved pets. She graduated from the University of Sydney in 2019, after completing undergraduate studies at the Australian National University. Laura’s ...

Julie South is the founder of VetClinicJobs, the innovative vet job board redefining veterinary recruitment through Direct Hiring—Reimagined. No Agencies Required. As a Recruitment Marketing Strategist, Julie and her team help veterinary clinics gain recognition as "Employers of Choice"...

Dr. Willana Basuki is a Board-Certified Veterinary Dentist (Diplomate American Veterinary Dental College). She graduated with honours from the University of Queensland in 2010. She worked as a small animal general practitioner before joining 2 years of rotating and surgery internships at Queensland ...

I'm Dr. Jesse Burgess, a Melbourne-based veterinarian passionate about improving emotional intelligence in the veterinary industry. I graduated from The University of Melbourne already planning my exit from the industry. But as I began to understand how my brain—and the brains of others—...

Veterinary practice owner and veterinarian for 32 years. I developed and sold 3 practices on the Gold Coast to Greencross in 2005. Then restarted a year later and developed The Vet Lounge group of 3 clinics with my business partner - again on the Gold Coast for 13 years. I then relocated to the...

Alexander is a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Anaesthesia and Analgesia and is currently undertaking his Masters in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia through Edinburgh University. Working as a Clinical Educator in anaesthesia at UVTHS, Alexander provides educational support to students of...

Dr. Maria Littles is a Board-Certified Veterinary Dentist™ and a Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College.  She completed a private practice residency at Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery of New Mexico, where she continues to practice. She received her veterinary degree from Purdue...

Dr Dennis Wormald is a veterinarian and animal behaviour expert with a special interest in canine anxiety and welfare. He is the founder of CompaniCalm, a company creating evidence-backed calming supplements for dogs, and Abadog, an online platform that delivers behaviour assessments and connects...

Matthias is Lupa's GM for APAC. He spent over 5 years working with some of the world's largest companies at Boston Consulting Group (inc. Qantas, BHP, GSK) on multiple topics including developing AI solutions tailored to businesses. He joined Lupa to bring AI to the veterinary space in...

Rod Straw is a registered surgical oncology specialist with the Queensland Veterinary Surgeons Board. He has been working in the area of veterinary oncology since 1986. He trained in the United States becoming the world’s first veterinary Fellow in Surgical Oncology. He was Associate Professor of...

Alena has a diverse multisectoral career which includes human and animal medicine, business, mentoring, training, and research. She obtained her Bachelor of Nursing in 2006 and worked as a Registered Nurse in Adult Mental Health and Paediatrics. In 2013, she achieved a Bachelor of Veterinary...

Lara Czarnota-Bojarski, RVN, AVN, CertVN ECC, Cert IV TAE Lara is an experienced Registered Veterinary Nurse with over 14 years in the veterinary industry. She began her career in a mixed and general practice clinic, where she developed a strong foundation and comprehensive skills across all areas ...

Matthew GosbellMatthew is a graduate of the university of Melbourne. Throughout his career he has developed a passion for all things avian. He has been a casual lecturer at the University of Melbourne since 2004 teaching pet bird medicine. He became a member of the Australian and New Zealand...

Ri Scarborough is a 2003 veterinary graduate and a research fellow at the Melbourne Veterinary School. Her research uses quantitative and qualitative methods to understand the behaviours of both veterinarians and clients around antibiotic use and how to support veterinarians to optimise their...

Jade Currie is the Animal Program Manager at The Lost Dogs’ Home, bringing over a decade of hands-on experience in animal welfare and behaviour. She has worked extensively across animal shelters, private behaviour consulting, and education and consultancy for animal care professionals, with a focus ...

Emeritus Professor Rand is Australia’s leading expert in urban cat management. She is the Executive Director and Chief Scientist at the Australian Pet Welfare Foundation and an Emeritus Professor at The University of Queensland, where she taught Urban Animal Management. Over the past 17 years, she...

Jane Bindloss RVN(UK), DipMgtA Registered Veterinary Nurse with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and a Life Memberof both the VNCA and the AVA’s Veterinary Business Group, Jane was awarded the AVA MeritoriousService Award in 1998.Since 1995, Jane has actively advocated for statutory...

Peter Hammond is a veterinary business leader with over two decades of experience spanning clinical, emergency, specialist, NFP, private and corporate environments. Currently General Manager at Southpaws, he oversees three hospital locations across Melbourne. Peter has led multimillion-dollar...

Having had a long history in the veterinary industry, Lee holds a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing, Diploma in Management and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Lee is dedicated to providing passionate pet care to every patient while building strong lasting relationships with their...

Dr. Bridget Naughton is a passionate educator and veterinary professional whose career has been dedicated to supporting the next generation of veterinary nurses as they transition from the classroom into clinical practice. Currently a Senior Lecturer and Head of Program for the Bachelor of...

Luke is a Senior commercial finance specialist with over 12 years of banking experience in the healthcare sector. He provides tailored financial solutions to veterinary, medical, and dental practitioners, supporting them through every stage of their professional journey from launching their first...

Dr. Maria Neale, General Manager of GapOnly®, combines veterinary and business expertise to improve the pet insurance payment experience. With a history in vet practices, academia and animal health, she’s dedicated to making claims more efficient and accessible for pet parents. Maria is the proud...

Dr. Jennifer Sandford has dedicated nearly 30 years to the veterinary industry. She began her career as a veterinary nurse in a mixed clinic in 1997 and graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Hons) from the University of Melbourne in 2003. Her diverse veterinary experience spans small...

Dr Robert Charlton graduated from Murdoch Veterinary University in 2004 and since then has had a wide and varied career. Rob started out in mixed animal practice in regional Western Australia, working at several practices before moving to Tasmania for a couple of years to fulfill his passion for...

Dr Claude Stanislaus BVSc (Hons I) MANZCVS (Pharmacology)Claude graduated from Sydney University in 2002 with First Class Honours in Bachelor of Veterinary Science. Post-graduation he worked full-time in small animal practice from 2003 – 2007, both in Australia and the UK. Claude continues to work...

Meet Vicky — Your Go-To for Practical Vet Nurse Training & Empowered Growth With nearly two decades of experience in veterinary nursing, corporate consulting, and education, Vicky brings a powerful blend of clinical expertise, strategic insight, and heartfelt mentorship to the profession. As a...

Dr Becca Leung Becca is a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist®, co-founder and chief operating officer at Veterinary Nutrition Group (VNG). She completed her veterinary degree at Massey University in 2015 and stayed on to complete her nutrition residency training and PhD. In 2019, she joined...

Dr. Jim Smith. (BVSc, MBA) CO-FOUNDERJim has over 35 years’ experience in the veterinary profession, and brings a wealth of expertise in medicine, surgery and business management. Jim owned and managed the Naracoorte and Penola Veterinary Centres for over 20 years. During this time, he developed a...