I have been interested in becoming more involved with Organized Veterinary Medicine for a long time. I think it is the best way for us to advocate for the type of future practice we want to build. As well as, the best way to preserve what is already important and unique to our field. I also have always enjoyed working with the board on projects and with members to network and grow professionally. I hope to bring that benefit to others as well. I am finally settling down and know I want to be in Washington long-term and am ready to make a commitment t work with the WSVMA as an advocate for our profession. 

I have been on the Veterinary Business Management Association Alumni Board for the last three years, working to build this organization, gain new
membership, and build out programming for student mentorship and alumni engagement. I have also volunteered with the WSVMA on task forces and was a member of the Power of 10 and a future leader that was sponsored to go to the Veterinary Leadership Conference in 2019. I also volunteer to work with students and practitioners through public speaking events aimed at improving clinical soft skills and wellness. I performed a TED X talk in 2020 that provided a platform to expand my passion for making veterinary medicine a sustainable career for all. Through these experiences, I have built skills in creating community, mentorship, advocacy, working in teams, and completing project-based tasks. All skills I think would be utilized and beneficial to the WSVMA. 

I am currently completing an MBA which has given me additional insight and exposure to business law and how it impacts our ability to practice competitively in the state of Washington. This has increased in legal advocacy and position statements within the veterinary industry, which is a large part of the board’s responsibility.

Lastly, I have 16 state licenses and have worked extensively in OR, WA, ID, ME, NY, NY and CT. I have volunteered on VMA board in WA, ID, OR and ME. This experience working in so many different states and with a variety of board configurations gives me both appreciation for what we have with the WSVMA board in WA, and also where we could grow. Having an extensive network outside of the state also gives me the opportunity and perspective to see how other states have managed similar challenges and how we can learn and adapt from other communities’ successes and failures.