Dr. Karen Allen

I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian because honestly, I could never imagine being anything else. I have always felt a deep connection to animals and a desire to provide care for them. Growing up, I was surrounded by strong, independent women spanning several generations. Some had pursued their lifelong dreams and careers and some had given them up to fit into the traditional female role society had assigned for them. They all played a role in encouraging me to pursue my dreams of becoming a veterinarian. So I did just that - and graduated from the Class of 1995 from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatchewan - with a massive, by 1995 standards, student loan.

Many practices, two children, one amazing husband and thirty years later, I can say it was all worth it.

One year after graduating, I found myself a first-time co-owner of a mixed animal practice on Vancouver Island. I was brimming with enthusiasm, but very lacking in skills! I was blessed with a phenomenal mentor who really deserves much of the credit for the veterinarian I've become. Four years later, when I met my husband Lyle, we relocated to Edmonton, Alberta where I started two practices - a companion animal practice and a rehab clinic. It was a whirlwind of challenges, excitement, heartaches and laughter - and six years later I found myself a partner and National Medical Director for VetStrategy, a small 4 practice group when I joined, a 20 practice group when I left, and 100+ practice group today.

In 2015 I left VetStrategy and set up a quiet little farm pet practice on our farm in Strathcona County, Alberta...where I have found even more joy in my profession and the path I've chosen.

Lyle and I have two teenage children - yes women can do all that AND have normal healthy happy children - Amelia and Alexander. Our family also includes an impressive array of critters who each come with their own story and keep the family busy and amused. You'll find Amelia and I out jumping horses, walking goats, gardening, trying to catch rogue chickens or attempting to "horse whisper" the donkeys; the boys get roped into much of the animal shenanigans with us and keep busy in the shop and the kitchen as they love to cook. My other passion is surfing which is not very compatible with living on a farm in rural central Alberta - but the challenge keeps me inspired and motivated and always on the lookout for ways to combine veterinary medicine with other pursuits. Veterinary medicine once got me an invite to surf on one of the most local and coveted breaks in Hawaii - but that's a story for another day.

Dr. Kay Lubansky

Upon graduation from veterinary college, being a practice owner was not something I had thought much about; I didn’t think of myself as an entrepreneur. However, if you look up the definition of entrepreneur, it is “One who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business enterprise.” Anyone who has gone through the rigors of veterinary college already has what it takes to successfully build and manage a practice. The question is, do you want it enough!

When I was 30 years old, I had the opportunity to purchase my 1st veterinary hospital, making me the first female owner of Monterey Bay (I remember being told “a woman would run it into the ground”); I bought my second hospital later in my career. Demographically, the practices were quite different. One was in a rural, blue collar neighborhood. The other was in a professional, dual income family neighborhood. Yet by offering clients the best options for medicine, by being honest with people about the care/costs of medicine and by supporting a good team, both practices were successful. In the ensuing years, I’ve learned a lot about hospital ownership and what it requires to be a successful practice owner. I made more than my fair share of mistakes but I’ve also built personal strength, valued relationships and had many wonderful moments along the way!

Running any kind of business has its challenges. But so does working for someone else, especially when you diverge in vision and values.

The reward of ownership for me, was that by owning my own hospitals, I was able to make them my own. I got to set the tone of the practice, build my own team and practice the kind of medicine that I wanted to practice. And ultimately build something that has a positive impact in the world, something I am very proud of.

I am passionate about building a team that is aligned, inspired and in sync with each other, as well as delivering an honest and valued customer experience. When I don’t have my hands on a stethoscope, I can be found cycling for hours.

Kay

Dr. Claire Simeone

I am a marine mammal veterinarian and conservationist, driven by curiosity and passion, whether it comes to creating a more sustainable earth, or starting with a more sustainable self. I have created novel therapies (a treatment for sea lion eye trauma!!) and I’ve researched diseases, treatments, health trends for marine mammals across North America. 

I’ve worked both in the field and in hospitals around the world, to improve animal health and welfare, train the next generation of health leaders, and advocate for conservation of wildlife.  

In the wake of my father’s death, the day I brought my son home from the hospital, I suffered a spontaneous coronary artery dissection, a rare post-partum heart attack. This, coupled with severe burnout, led me to re-evaluate my life, work, and the impact I wanted to have on the world.

I am the Founder and CEO of Sea Change Health, an organization working to massively shift our understanding and cultivation of health, for all those who rely on the sea. 

I was the first veterinarian ever selected as a TED Fellow, and I’m the author of numerous scientific articles, book chapters, and is a seasoned speaker. Prior to founding Sea Change Health, I led conservation efforts for the endangered Hawaiian monk seal at The Marine Mammal Center, the largest marine mammal hospital in the world. My work underscores the connection between humans and animals, and how our very survival relies on a return to listening to what wisdom the natural world has to share.

I love to mentor veterinarians in finding their path to a joyful and fulfilling career, while balancing the complex emotions that come along with providing critical care. 

Claire

Dr. Susan Calverley

I grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba and graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. I bought my first practice, Mission Veterinary Hospital, with my first husband (thankfully, not my current) the week of my first child’s birth. Life happened as it does, and when my husband and I decided to separate, I decided to keep my practice (talk about exchanging one set of headaches for another!).    

I managed Mission Veterinary Hospital for over 23 years, forging lifelong relationships with clients, their pets and the wonderful team I built over the years. I’ve also been certified as a canine rehabilitation therapist and run a small, mobile, part time veterinary orthotics and prosthetics business, as well as worked as an associate for a large veterinary corporation. 

I have raised three daughters (and countless 4-legged creatures) with my husband Nat. My eldest daughter has followed in her mother’s footsteps and just graduated from veterinary school. 

My passion is mental and financial wellness in the veterinary community. There is nothing more important to the future of veterinary health, than mentoring the next generation of veterinarians to find fulfilling careers. I enjoy kayaking, hiking, and most recently SAILING (I love it!), as well as spending time with my family at our house on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.

Susan

Dr. Kimberly Khodakhah

I’ve been a vet for over 25 years in small animal medicine and surgery. I always naturally gravitated to the people and leadership side of things, leading to many hospital directorships over my career.

I’m a passionate advocate for lifelong learning. Working hard doesn’t cause burnout - working in unhealthy environments does. Having witnessed the darker side of veterinary medicine corporatization, I chose to become a Certified Professional Coach as a way to help arm young doctors with the tools they needed to succeed.

Through Vetopia Inc., a company I founded, I work with the veterinary profession to combat toxicity in the workplace and pave successful career paths, through mentoring and hands on programs.

My podcast, Time to PAWS, encourages sharing of experiences, seeking opportunities, and encourages leaning into fear & change, while building strategies for resilience.  Veterinary medicine is a wonderful career if you have the right tools and support.

I’ve chosen to leverage my entrepreneurial spirit and veterinary experience to drive meaningful change in the veterinary profession. I developed, financed, and direct an international veterinary spay/neuter program with SPCA Fiji Island and Saint Vincent SPCA, in the Caribbean (come volunteer!) and I’m working on one for Native American Reservations. I also work with the Wolf Conservation Center (NY) and stay on my toes by working as a relief veterinarian in the greater New York area and Massachusetts.

I’m an Advisory Board Member of several organization including Anubis Bio, Infinite Pawsabilities and PAWSperous Pathways.

When I’m not doing all of that!! I enjoy spending time with my two children, husband and furbabies; consisting of 3 cats, 2 dogs, and some fish. I love traveling, good food, and scuba diving (who doesn’t!).

Kim

Amanda Kattan

In my first few years out of school, I worked as an analyst in investment banking. It was the ‘it’ job in finance. I’m not sure what attracted me to it - it was the default for those who worked hard and the way to ‘succeed’ in the field. Those first few years had us working to the bone, many late nights past 2am, never a weekend off. I spent most of this time updating spreadsheets that would never see the light of day. I used to fantasize about being hit by a car - just a light coma - so that I could finally rest. 

In my next job, I worked with an amazing group of highly intelligent, honest and driven individuals, dedicated to helping grow the businesses in which we invested. I was single and living in Toronto, away from family. I still did the long hours, but I was deciding when and how to do them, and I could take a break when I needed it. And my work mattered. Those three things - respected colleagues with shared values, ability to control the way I worked, and purpose in what I was doing made all the difference. 

In 2007, I went to Africa to build a microcredit foundation outside of Accra, Ghana. The idea behind microcredit is to empower small merchants such as dressmakers, fishmongers, fruit sellers and furniture makers to own their own businesses. By having a solid foundation and cushion to build upon, these merchants were able to break the cycle of poverty through collaboration with and support from one another. It took so little to make such a big difference. There is transformational value in removing barriers to ownership, such as money, education and lack of support. 

I speak to countless vets who own their practices. Despite the hours, the administrative headaches and the 101 little tasks that no one trained them for, they are bursting with pride, passion and purpose. Conversely, I meet newly minted vet associates who are burnt out and trying to emotionally disengage from the profession to save themselves. Ownership matters - it is freeing, it is empowering, it is fulfilling. 

It has taken me longer than most to find my purpose. I’ve always loved learning new things, and that has led me in many fascinating but scattered directions over my career. I never wanted to settle down, get married, buy a house, or commit to a single business. One special canine, a handful of romances, dozens of apartments, and hundreds of former colleagues later, I’ve committed to all those things, and I’m happier than I’ve ever been.

Timing is always tricky but it's never too early to invest in the infrastructure around your education, your interests and your vocation in life. The wisest of us recognize we can get further together when we help each other. 

I’m committed to Vesta because I believe it can truly change the veterinary industry for the better. That change is needed now more than ever. I am committed to enabling and supporting practice ownership by veterinarians and their teams. There are personal reasons behind this that I am happy to share over a glass of wine or two (it does not take many these days…). 

Oh and I like kayaking, hiking, cooking and crossword puzzles (actually all puzzles). 

Amanda