Meet the Speakers

Dana has worked in government relations for 22 years representing a range of agricultural and food interests. She is a recipient of the Women in Agribusiness Ambassador Award, Woman of Influence by Pet Age magazine in 2019 and 2021 and Top 50 in 2022. Also, she serves as the chair of the board of directors for Pet Partners.

Mark is the Founder & CEO of the Animal Policy Group. A long-time political strategist, government regulatory advisor, corporate executive and former litigator, Mark focuses his advocacy practice on providing high-level strategic advice and services to clients with needs at any level of government, and key trade/industry associations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Since 2004, Mark has specialized in animal health, animal welfare, veterinary and veterinary educational issues and accreditation, developing a cutting-edge practice across these sectors. He currently leads several industry coalitions and initiatives. Mark has guided successful accreditations for a growing list of veterinary colleges, and is co-founder of the Veterinary Virtual Care Association. He is an adjunct faculty member at Lincoln Memorial, Lewis & Clark and University of Oregon law schools. He is the past Chair of government relations practices at Tonkon Torp, a prominent Northwest law firm and Winstead Sechrest & Minick, a major Texas-based firm. Mark is the recipient of the 2023 VIS Veterinary Innovation Award and the author of Pet Nation, a book released by Penguin Random House that tells the inside story of how companion animals are transforming our homes, culture, and economy. Mark is a frequent speaker at veterinary medicine and other animal policy-related conferences. He is an Honors graduate with distinction from Stanford University and the Willamette University College of Law.

James is a multi-awarding winning creative strategist and leader with 25+ years of experience developing relationships between organizations and their constituents. His expertise has been utilized across a diverse group of brands, both non for profit, and for profit. Specific brand experience includes: Timberland, Disney, The Mills Corporation, NAACP, Baltimore Health Department, Maryland Health Department, Kennedy Krieger Institute, CVS Caremark’s Project Health, Safe Streets Baltimore and many other brands. James and his team have initiated several programs, including the groundbreaking Gulf Spay/Neuter Campaign and HSUS’ Pets for Life. He has also played an integral role in HSUS’ Adopters Welcome, Outdoor Cats Research, Stop Puppy Mills, and HSUS’ Spayathon, as well as Best Friends Animal Society’s Outreach Action Team. In 2019, inspired by Chetana Mirle and supported by Spring Point’s Life of Riley, James founded Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity [C.A.R.E.]. James is a husband, a proud father of five children [two four-legged], a brother, and part of a great group of friends, family, and colleagues.

Winner of the 2022 Maddie’s Fund Avanzino Leadership Award

Saul Zaentz Film Fellow 2024

Steven Feldman is the President of the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI). As the leader of the only research organization focused solely on the human-animal bond, he has developed significant expertise in communicating the science of human-animal interaction and its practical application in society. He is frequently published and quoted on all things related to the human-animal bond and the important role of pets in society. He is proud of his role as a chapter co-author for the Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy. He also helps the world’s largest therapy animal organization, Pet Partners, develop research-based best practices as a member of their Human-Animal Bond Advisory Board. Steven serves as liaison to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Steering Committee on Human-Animal Interaction, helping develop policies and resources to help veterinarians strengthen the human-animal bond. Steven is an experienced non-profit executive, strategist, and coalition builder with a deep understanding of the policy-making process. Prior to joining HABRI, Steven helped lead the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, growing the organization, serving as the spokesman for zoos and aquariums around the world, and developing significant expertise in wildlife conservation and animal welfare. Prior to this, he worked at Powell Tate, a leading public affairs firm, where he served as a counselor to many Fortune 500 companies. He also served as a staff member in the United States Senate, working for the Chairman of the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. Steven holds a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs and a master’s degree in Political Management from George Washington University. He has a cat named Winifred, and a wife and two children.

Gary Gaston is the CEO of the Nashville Civic Design Center, and serves as Assistant Professor of Practice at the University of Tennessee Knoxville College of Architecture + Design. He received his Bachelor of Architecture from UTK, and a M.Ed. in Community Development and Action from Vanderbilt.

Gaston helped lead numerous planning and design efforts for the Civic Design Center during his nearly 20-year tenure, including its visionary The Plan of Nashville: Avenues to a Great City, published in 2005. Gaston served as executive producer of the National Endowment for the Arts funded documentary film Design Your Neighborhood, and co-authored two books, Moving Tennessee Forward: Models for Connecting Communities (2012), and Shaping the Healthy Community: The Nashville Plan, published by Vanderbilt University Press in 2016.

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Ira Gordon, DVM, DACVR-RO is a veterinary oncologist with 20 years in and beyond clinical practice including roles focused on cancer research (NCI/NIH), specialty practice ownership (The Oncology Service), corporate practice leadership (Ethos Vet Health), and executive leadership (Vetcelerator). He is currently the Director of Education and Program for a veterinary education technology company that he previously co-founded (VetPrep/Edcetera) and a practicing radiation oncologist. He is also a co-founder and executive committee member of the Veterinary Angel Network (VANE) and serves on advisory boards for a variety of animal health companies. He is a deeply curious introvert with a passion for solving challenging problems and supporting innovators that are working to improve animal health and the veterinary profession. He is a native Californian and obtained his veterinary degree from the University of California, Davis.  He completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at The Ohio State University and then his residency training in radiation oncology in 2007 at the University of California, Davis.  He then became a clinical instructor of radiation oncology at UC Davis until relocating to the Washington DC area to pursue cancer research as a postdoctoral fellow within the National Cancer Institute and where he subsequently built his veterinary practices. Dr. Gordon is the President-Elect of the Veterinary Cancer Society. He has also held leadership and committee positions with the American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR), the Veterinary Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (VRTOG) and the non-profit organizations FETCH-a-Cure and We Rock Cancer.  He has authored/co-authored over 20 research manuscripts, peer-reviewed articles textbook chapters and co-hosted 2 podcast series (‘Diagnosing Inequality’ and ‘The Accidental Entrepreneurs’).

David Haworth, DVM, PhD is an Executive Vice-President at Embark Veterinary, responsible for Research & Development, Business Development and Corporate Strategy, as well as a highly sought-after advisor and consultant to some of the largest and smallest organizations in the animal health and wellness space. He serves on numerous boards including DOG TV and Canine Biologics and Chairs the Scientific Working Group of the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI). Prior to Embark, he was the co-founder and president of Vidium Animal Health, a genomic diagnostics company, and helped lead it to a successful acquisition. He is also a former President of PetSmart Charities in the US and Canada, where he managed the largest strategic grant-making organization in animal welfare as well as the former President & CEO of Morris Animal Foundation, providing millions of dollars in grants for veterinary medical research. Prior to his work in non-profits, he served in multiple positions at Pfizer Animal Health (now Zoetis, Inc.), the largest producer of veterinary pharmaceuticals and vaccines in the world, ending as the Director of Global Alliances within the Business Development group and before that a Director in Pfizer Animal Health's Research & Development division. Prior to joining Pfizer Animal Health, he was an associate veterinarian at a small animal and emergency clinic in Washington State. Dr. Haworth received his bachelor of science in biology from the College of William & Mary and his doctor of veterinary medicine and doctorate of philosophy from Colorado State University. He also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Colorado State University's Animal Cancer Center. He has two adult children and splits his time between Denver, Colorado and Bozeman, Montana with his wife of over 30 years and their Golden Retrievers, Bridger and Breckenridge.

Lisa LaFontaine is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA), this region’s premier animal welfare organization. In 2019 Lisa oversaw the merger of the Humane Rescue Alliance with St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center of New Jersey to create the first regional, community-based, multi-state animal welfare organization in the nation. In 2016, Lisa oversaw the merger of the Washington Humane Society (WHS) and the Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL)—who came together to form a single more powerful voice for animals. The result was the formation of the Humane Rescue Alliance, the first unified organization in a major urban area to provide all the animal welfare programs and services to the community.

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Ryan Leech is a veterinary industry consultant, speaker, and a podcast host with over seven years of experience leading First 100 Consulting. At this boutique consulting firm, Ryan specializes in providing critical market insights and strategic guidance to veterinary businesses, helping them thrive in a competitive market. In addition to his consulting work, Ryan held significant roles in business development and strategic partnerships at various organizations, including Digitail, Galaxy Vets, and Veterinary Integration Solutions.

For nearly two decades, Chetana Mirle has led diverse teams in the development, execution, and evolution of programs and strategies to advance justice and the well-being of human and non-human animals. She currently serves as the program director for Life of Riley, Spring Point Partners’ signature program advancing animal welfare by investing in diverse leadership and community-driven solutions. At SPP, she works to amplify more inclusive narratives that strengthen the animal welfare movement and lead to real change.  Chetana previously launched and led the farm animals division of Humane Society International – supporting dedicated activists throughout Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe in their efforts to end the extreme confinement of pigs and chickens and promote more plant-based eating.  Chetana earned her Doctorate from the Agriculture, Food and Environment program at Tufts University, a Masters in Environmental Policy from American University, and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. An environmentalist, minimalist, and vegan, she cares deeply about how individual choices intersect with systemic impact.

Dr. Rustin M. Moore, professor and the Ruth Stanton Chair in Veterinary Medicine is the 11th dean of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and has served in this role since September 2015.

A two-time graduate of the college, Dr. Moore returned to the college in 2006 and has served as the chair of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, executive director of the Veterinary Medical Center, associate dean for Clinical and Outreach Programs, and associate executive dean.

He has taught at all levels of the undergraduate, professional and graduate curricula, both at Ohio State and at Louisiana State University (LSU), where he served on the LSU faculty from 1994 to 2006. He has served as an advisor, co-advisor or committee member for 21 doctoral or master’s students, as well as the clinical advisor for more than 25 interns and residents.

He has published more than 125 peer/editor reviewed manuscripts; nearly 20 book chapters; and presented/published greater than 175 scientific abstracts, over 100 continuing education lectures/conference proceedings, and more than 100 outreach and professional presentations.

A native of Spencer, WV, he earned a BS degree (1986), summa cum laude, from the West Virginia University; a DVM (1989), summa cum laude, and a PhD (1994) from The Ohio State University. In addition, he is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

He serves on boards and in other roles for several organizations including the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium; Ohio Wildlife Center; Ohio Veterinary Medical Association; and the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, where he currently serves as president.

Dr. Moore is passionate about and is a frequently invited speaker on topics such as promoting and enhancing the health and well-being in the veterinary profession; the power of the pet and the human-animal bond; spectrum of care education and practice, access to care in veterinary medicine; and One Health. He gave a TEDx talk in 2016 titled The Power of a Pet, and is the author of the forthcoming book, Unleashing the Bond: Harnessing the Power of Human-Animal Interactions, set to be published in late spring 2025.

From the world of hedge funds to the world of furry friends, Mathé has a proven track record for investing in disruptive, market leading businesses. A Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient, he was recognized early on in his career for his sharp acumen and ability to manage complex investment strategies for some of the top Wall Street firms. During his time in the finance world, he managed money for the largest pensions, university endowments, and sovereign wealth funds in the world. It’s this analytical approach that led him to deeply understand the powerful potential of the pet category and build Kismet along co-founders Chrissy Teigen and John Legend. Mathé’s tenacious data-driven approach is rivaled by his passion for the category and the opportunity to do something truly different and important for pets and their people. As Kismet’s CEO, Mathé leads a team of seasoned executives who are dedicated to making lives better for dog-obsessed families everywhere with high-quality food and treats, compelling storytelling, and a deep commitment to the importance of the human/animal bond.

Augusta O'Reilly, MSW, LCSW, is a dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in veterinary social work. She currently serves as the Veterinary Licensed Clinical Social Worker at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine's Teaching Hospital, where she provides emotional support to clients, interns, residents, and students. Her role focuses on assisting with end-of-life decisions for pets, promoting work-life balance among veterinary professionals, and guiding students through client interactions.

In addition to her position at the college, O'Reilly is the President of the International Association of Veterinary Social Work (IAVSW), reflecting her leadership and commitment to the field.

O'Reilly earned her Master of Social Work and a post-graduate certification in Veterinary Social Work from the University of Tennessee in 2018. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Appalachian State University, obtained in 2013.

Her professional experience includes roles as Director of Veterinary Social Work at the University of Tennessee's Program for Pet Health Equity, Veterinary Social Worker at Maine Veterinary Medical Center, and various therapist positions. Her research interests encompass pet loss and grief, the human-animal bond, access to veterinary care, and mental health in veterinary medicine.

As Chief Business Officer at AI FOR PET, Eric's mission is to drive growth through strategic partnerships and innovative market expansion strategies. His recent transition from Director of Business Development has deepened his expertise in customer relationship management and competitive analysis, directly supporting their vision to revolutionize pet care with AI-driven solutions.

His team's efforts in the US and global markets have forged key B2B partnerships, enhancing AI FOR PET's position in the pet tech industry. With a strong command of the Korean language, Eric also facilitates cross-cultural negotiations, ensuring that their reach extends to diverse markets. His focus is on delivering value, fostering sustainable growth, and enhancing the well-being of pets and their owners.

Heidi Sirota is a three-time Fortune 100 senior executive with expertise in growing and turning around businesses and creating shareholder value.

Today, as a Pet Industry Strategic Growth Advisor, Heidi helps pet businesses deliver care and wellbeing solutions that also maximize growth, revenue and profit opportunities and valuation. She earned her industry expertise from serving as President and Chief Pet Officer of Nationwide’s pet insurance business.

Nationwide was the largest provider of pet insurance in the world, and under Heidi’s leadership, it doubled the number of pets it protects to 1.2 million and approached $1 billion in premium revenue. Heidi joined Nationwide in 2018 as vice president of marketing for the Retirement Solutions business and led an expansion of its capabilities and markets, through March 2024.

Dr. Apryl Steele is the President and CEO of the Dumb Friends League which is an animal welfare organization that serves over 20,000 homeless animals and provides subsidized veterinary care for over 28,000 owned animals annually in Colorado. She is also one of the authors of the Socially Conscious Sheltering movement.

Prior to joining the League in 2014, Dr. Steele owned a small animal Cat Friendly AAHA practice in Denver for 18 years. She is currently the Chair for the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA). Apryl served six years as a delegate for the American Veterinary Medical Association and has served as President of the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, the Denver Area Veterinary Medical Society, the Animal Assistance Foundation and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (now the Feline VMA). Apryl is also a veteran of the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps.

As a 30-year veteran of the veterinary pharmaceutical industry, Julia is a Partner in venture capital at Borealis Ventures. Julia founded Avviare, a consulting practice focused on start-ups in veterinary therapeutics. She is a Board Member on multiple start-ups and a Founding Director for Feather in Her Cap, an organization dedicated to recognizing outstanding women in animal health. She was Chief Commercial Officer at Aratana (now Elanco) and was instrumental in the IPO. As Aratana CCO, Founder and CEO of Summit VetPharm (now CEVA), and Head of Global Marketing for Pfizer (now Zoetis), Julia has been involved in the development and launch of 28 innovative veterinary products including multiple blockbusters in pain management and parasiticides. In addition to the extensive animal health experience, she spent two years in human health. A graduate of Indiana University, Julia has continued her executive training at Harvard, Columbia, University of Chicago and the Wharton School of Business.

Specialties: Start-ups, Venture Investments, New Product Development, Marketing, Trademarks, Acquisitions and Divestitures, Sales Force Effectiveness, Business Development, General Management

Charles Tapp is the Founder & Managing Partner of Vetted Capital, an early-to-growth fund investing at the intersection of Consumer, Healthcare, and Tech for Pets. Charles is an economist, entrepreneur and investor. He is a Mars, Koch, and Defender Bio alum. Charles and his team helped Mars pivot from a legacy Food & Beverage business to a vertically-integrated Pet Healthcare ecosystem, contributing to its growth from $33B to $45B in sales ($100B to $180B EV) during his tenure. Petcare accounted for >60% of Mars' >$50B in annual revenue pre-Kellanova acquisition.