Speakers

Jeremy Bess

Often regarded as a thought leader in macroeconomics, Jeremy offers clients insight into future expectations on topics that matter most to them. He helps set their course with a plan grounded in concrete data and analysis. This involves specific ad-hoc projects, such as analyzing the impact of a one-time asset implementation and delivering presentations to policymakers, companies, and trade associations. Drawing on his expertise in various sectors, he translates economic trends into actionable advice. Jeremy is a keynote speaker who travels across North America. One of his standout skills is keeping the energy up during presentations. Let’s be honest—economist keynotes often get a bad reputation as the perfect time to check emails or make phone calls. But he's heard that his presentations are so lively, people look forward to them and make sure not to miss a minute!  

Debbie Boone, BS, CVPM, Fear Free^SM Certified

Debbie has worked for the veterinary profession for more than 40 years. After earning her bachelor’s degree in animal science from North Carolina State University, she began as a client care representative and quickly moved into hospital administration. Debbie has experience in the management of small animal, mixed animal, specialty, and emergency practices.

Debbie is considered an expert in team communication, creating positive practice culture, and developing operations efficiency for veterinary practices. Debbie published her latest book, “Hospitality in HealthCare: How Top Performing Practices Give the Best in Care to Their Patients and Boost Team Happiness” which launched at AVMA Convention 2023. Her business, 2 Manage Vets Consulting, helps practices develop extraordinary team communication and business skills, enhancing patient care, improving profitability, and increasing practice value. She strives to improve the lives of animals by using her expertise to improve workplace culture and the well-being of veterinary professionals. 

Major national and international animal health organizations, including AVMA, OVMA, CanWest, WVC, NAVC, AAHA and more, consistently seek Debbie out for her skills as a trainer and speaker. She has even been quoted in the Wall Street Journal.  She has been published in numerous veterinary publications, was the 2022 President of VetPartners and served as a member of the VetPartners Board of Directors for 6 years.  She is on the Fear Free Advisory Council, Stokes and Epicur Pharmacy advisory board and a is a Key Opinion Leader for Weave, where she enjoys sharing her real-world clinic experience with companies.  She is currently hosting a vodcast and podcast called The Bend which invites guests to share their stories of triumph over adversity and how They are changing the veterinary profession for the better.  

Her latest collaboration is the creation of a non-profit association for veterinary client service representatives called NAAVR.  This association will support, empower and educate front office team members and elevate the job to a career.  

Debbie lives in North Myrtle Beach, SC where she spends her off time in her garden, at the beach, walking her dog Tucker, or traveling with her husband, Mike.  

Brian Conrad

Brian has served as the Hospital Administrator for Meadow Hills Veterinary Center in Kennewick, WA, since 1999. During his tenure at Meadow Hills, the clinic received awards for the Hospital Design of the Year in 2001 from Veterinary Economics magazine and the 2004 Mid-Columbia Small Business of the Year. In 2009, Meadow Hills opened its second location. Brian lectures on a wide variety of topics challenging the veterinary industry using practical and "real-life" examples that keep the audience engaged and enthused. Brian has been a frequent contributor to DVM360 and a lecturer for several national conferences. His speaking engagements went international in 2012 when he was featured at the Southern European Veterinary Conference in Barcelona, Spain. They continued in 2013 when he was featured in Melbourne, Australia. His first Educational DVD launched in 2012, titled "Listen Up!  How to Profit from Client Feedback". Brian earned his CVPM certification in 2003 and served on the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) Board of Directors for ten years, which began in 2009. He is a past VHMA President.  Brian is a current faculty member for the DVM360 Fetch conferences and a Key Opinion Leader for Lintbell's Yumove. 

Joseph Cope

Joseph Cope, The Empathy Guy, has built a reputation for redefining empathy as a fierce and practical leadership skill. This foundational belief has fueled his journey from award-winning educator to highly sought-after speaker, and it’s what keeps his work rooted in presence, curiosity, and courageous human connection. Whether he’s speaking from top stages, guiding leadership teams with deep intention, or helping individuals reconnect with their own voice, Joseph’s mission is clear: to create space for people to choose growth, first for themselves and then for each other.

Donna Cutting

Donna is the Founder and CEO of Red-Carpet Learning Worldwide, where she and her team help organizations deliver extraordinary customer and employee experiences. She is the author of three books on customer service and employee experience, including The Celebrity Experience: Insider Secrets to Delivering Red Carpet Customer Service (Wiley) and 501 Ways to Roll Out the Red Carpet for Your Customers (Career Press), and a nationally recognized speaker who works with mission-driven healthcare organizations across the United States. Known for her engaging storytelling and practical, people-centered approach, Donna has built a reputation for inspiring leaders and teams to roll out the red carpet in ways that change culture and drive real results. Her experience as an actress sets the stage for her interactive, fun, and enthusiastic style. 
 
Through Red-Carpet Learning Worldwide, Donna's customer service training programs are used throughout the United States and in South Africa, Canada, Australia, and Spain, helping clients get results such as shorter sales cycles, improved service scores, increased employee retention, and engagement. Some companies have even won awards using Red-Carpet programs.
 
Donna travels with two rescue Shih Tzus, named Moxie and Tonks, in tow. When they are not traveling together, they can be found in Dunedin, Florida.

Linda Ellis, DVM

Dr. Ellis is the Lead Trust Veterinarian for the AVMA Trust, with over 20 years of experience in veterinary professional liability risk management. Dr. Ellis is passionate about supporting and advocating for veterinarians insured through the AVMA PLIT program. She speaks regularly with veterinarians regarding difficult situations, such as facing a malpractice claim or license complaint, to provide support and guidance. She also reviews professional liability claims submitted through the PLIT program, advising the insurance carrier on any potential concerns related to veterinary care or liability. Another primary focus of Dr. Ellis’s role is providing education on common causes of claims and how to manage that risk. She attends and presents at veterinary conferences as part of an educational outreach program to help veterinarians avoid malpractice and board complaints, as well as understand the professional and business coverages they need to protect themselves and their practice. Dr. Ellis also identifies claim trends and topics for PLIT newsletters to keep insured members informed. Dr. Ellis graduated from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991 and practiced companion animal medicine and surgery for 14 years before joining PLIT. She is a member of the AVMA, AAHA, and Illinois State VMA.

Dr. Lauren Forsythe, PharmaD, MBA, DICVP

Dr. Forsythe is an Assistant Professor at the University of Findlay College of Pharmacy. She is also a diplomat of the International College of Veterinary Pharmacists. Dr. Forsythe graduated from the University of Findlay, College of Pharmacy in 2015 and completed her veterinary pharmacy residency at Purdue's Veterinary Teaching Hospital. She earned her MBA in 2024 from the University of Illinois.  Following completion of her residency, Dr. Forsythe spent three years at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital as a Clinical Pharmacist, followed by four years at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pharmacy and the Pharmacy Service Head. In addition to her teaching position, Dr. Forsythe is a co-author of the book Drug Compounding for Veterinary Professionals and provides consulting services to veterinary practices through her company, Foresight Pharma Solutions.

Joanne Graham, MS, CVPM, SHRM-CP

Joanne is a Regional Director of Operations overseeing a network of veterinary hospitals across multiple states. With over 15 years of experience in veterinary medicine, she brings a grounded, people-first approach to leadership and believes in striking a balance between operational performance and team well-being. Joanne holds a Master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and is known for building strong, connected teams through clarity, trust, and accountability.
 
She believes great culture and great results are never separate goals, and her leadership philosophy centers on helping hospital teams align around purpose, communication, and care. Joanne is passionate about developing leaders who create workplaces where veterinary professionals can thrive.

Christine Saunders, MSc, MPhil, CSC, CM

President and Founder, Halmyre

Christine is a sought-after strategist and speaker specializing in value proposition and growth strategy for professional associations and service businesses. Her sessions are praised for their pragmatism and growth mindset. With deep experience in the veterinary sector—including work with the Veterinary Medical Association Executives (VMAE)—Christine understands the macro-economic shifts impacting modern practices. A Chartered Marketer (CM) and award-winning strategist, she holds degrees from the University of King’s College, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.  

Adam Little, DVM

Dr. Little is a veterinarian and entrepreneur known for his innovative approaches to animal and human health. Educated at the University of Guelph with a BSc and DVM, he further distinguished himself as the first veterinarian to attend Singularity University, focusing on the intersection of technology and healthcare. His professional journey includes serving as the Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. He co-founded GoFetch, which has delivered significant cost savings in pet care through its loyalty and subscription services. Dr. Little has also contributed to the veterinary field through his board memberships with Veterinarians Without Borders, the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, and the Catalyst Council.  

Patrick Luce

Lu Olson, DVM

Ashley Richards, CVPM 

Ashley Richards is a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) with over 15 years of experience in the veterinary field, beginning her career in 2009 as a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT). Her clinical foundation led to pursuing a management path where she has been a practice manager in both general practice and emergency hospitals. 

Ashley currently serves on the practice manager advisory board at Vet Evolve, where she partners closely with executive leadership to develop and implement strategies that strengthen hospital culture, improve operational efficiency, and elevate patient care. A core passion of her work is mentoring and developing new and emerging managers, helping them build confidence, leadership skills, and sustainable workflows.

Ashley also serves on the VHMA Education and Programming Advisory Group, contributing to the advancement of veterinary management education.

Ali Todd

Beth Venit, VMD, MPH, DACVPM

Brittany Yost, CVPM, CVBL, CCFP

Brittany has worked in the veterinary industry for nearly 20 years.  She began as a practice manager at a small veterinary clinic and oversaw its evolution from a 1 ½-doctor practice to a 6-doctor facility.  

In 2022, Brittany transitioned her talents to Vetsource, where she currently serves as Director of Customer Implementation and Engagement.  In addition to her practical experience, Brittany holds a business degree from The Ohio State University and, in 2020, earned the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager designation.

Concurrently, she has worked as a veterinary business consultant for several industry leaders, including Boehringer Ingelheim, VETgirl, Zoetis, and Vertical Vet.