Speakers

Dr Molly McAllister

Bruce Truman

Candise Goodwin

Dr Lenore Bacek, DVM

Audrey Wystrach DVM

Brendan Lynch

Jonathan Wainberg

Stephen Kirton

Robert Diamond

Robert is a successful entrepreneur with a track record of creating value from customer data.

Robert is the co-owner and CEO of identicare, the UK’s largest pet microchip registration and pet protection services provider.  Identi offers recurring-revenue subscription services to over 4 Million pet owners.  In Feb 2024 Robert bought out his joint venture partner (Animalcare PLC) with backing from Bridgepoint Group, one of the UK’s leading private asset investors, in a transaction valued at £30 Million. 

At the same time Robert continues to oversee Fernbrook Partners, a private portfolio covering early-stage technology and lifestyle investments and commercial property acquisition, development and leasing.

From 2011 - 2017 Robert helped the acquisition, turnaround and successful sale of RAC, the world’s oldest motoring organisation.  In his executive role as Managing Director Motoring Services, he oversaw the data assets of RAC’s 8.2 Million members and also ran six data / digital businesses.  He was actively involved in the post-acquisition integration of RAC by Carlyle Private Equity and subsequent exit to GIC Singapore in 2014 and CVC Partners in 2015.

Prior to this, in 2001 Robert founded what became emnos - the leading provider of ‘customer centric’ services and decision-support tools.  Clients included top retailers (Target, Walgreens, Morrisons, Waitrose, Boots, Co-operative Group) and their FMCG suppliers.  The business was sold to Palamon Private Equity in 2007 and sold on to American Express in 2011.

Robert spent the previous 13 years in marketing and sales roles in the consumer and retail industries.

Robert is an elected member and former board director of the Young Presidents Organisation and regular media contributor (and TED talker) on the use of customer data.  He lives in the UK with his wife and four children.

Heidi Sirota

Heidi Sirota serves as Nationwide’s Chief Pet Officer, leading the nation’s first and largest provider of pet insurance protecting more than 1 million pets. She joined Nationwide in 2018 as vice president of marketing for the Retirement Solutions business and led an expansion of its capabilities and markets.

Before joining Nationwide, Heidi transformed consumer experiences in human health care. As UnitedHealth Group’s Optum Bank vice president of marketing, she pioneered the retailization of health savings accounts, and as a marketing executive at Aetna and ConnectiCare she introduced new, engaging ways for consumers to shop for health insurance and get care.

Heidi started her career in commercial bank operations, then moved into investment and insurance marketing leadership at The Phoenix Companies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Loyola Marymount University and completed executive education from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Heidi sits on the Board of Trustees of the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and the Board of Directors of Second Harvest Food Bank in Orange County, California. Also she is an Advisory Board member for the University of California Santa Barbara-Extension, Customer Experience Certificate Program and the executive sponsor of Nationwide’s Pet Advocacy and Wellness Support (PAWS) Associate Resource Group.

Dr Jennifer Sperry

Dr. Jennifer Sperry is a companion animal veterinarian and the Veterinary Advisor for Independence Pet Group™. She assists the company by providing scientific insights and medical updates; and by sharing the perspectives and experiences of veterinary professionals in the trenches.

Dr. Sperry was attracted to her current role because she recognized an urgent need to spread awareness about financial tools that allow people to access vital but costly veterinary care. As a veterinarian practicing in general and emergency medicine for more than a decade, she has a unique understanding of the needs of pets and their people. She witnessed first-hand how difficult it can be for pet owners to both predict and overcome the cost of quality veterinary care. She also experienced how difficult it can be for veterinary team members to share the emotional burden that occurs when financial limitations adversely impact the wellbeing of pets and their owners.

Since joining the team in 2020, Dr. Sperry has shared her medical experience for internal and external educational events, claims and underwriting process improvements, and even accessible policy wording.

Gina Fortunato

Gina Fortunato is a seasoned sales executive and leader with over 12 years of experience in the animal health industry. She is currently spearheading Veterinary Services and New Business Development at Independence Pet Group, focusing on increasing insured pets across North America. Gina is passionate about coaching and developing others to achieve their full potential, as well as fostering networking and cross-collaboration within the industry.

Gina holds a Master of Business Administration from Baldwin Wallace College and has enriched her leadership acumen through programs at the Wharton School of Business.

Professional Affiliations and Contributions: Gina plays an active role in shaping the pet industry. She currently serves as the Chair of CATalyst Council and has held leadership positions such as Past President of VetPartners and immediate Past President of Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary. Her ongoing commitment to these organizations reflects her dedication to improving animal welfare and healthcare access.

Personal Passion and Advocacy: With a personal menagerie including 2 horses, three indoor cats, and 2 insured barn cats, Gina has firsthand experience of the benefits of pet insurance. She is deeply committed to helping pet owners access essential care for their beloved animals.

Outside Interests: In her leisure time, Gina thrives on competition both locally and internationally in the sport of dragon boating, showcasing her dedication to teamwork and achievement beyond the professional realm.

Melissa Mitchner

Melissa Mitchner is Founder and CEO of The Bark Shoppe, a premier pet care company based in New York. The Bark Shoppe's flagship location and mobile grooming services build a strong sense of community with groomers, pet owners, and their pets. As an advocate for alternative education, Melissa created The New York Institute of Pet Grooming. Her mission is to provide high quality in-person and digital education and certification programs for those who aspire to join and thrive in the pet grooming industry.

Melissa has over a decade of leadership experience in supply chain management, making her a relatable and knowledgeable leader and educator in any setting. She loves what she does and is committed to bringing much needed diversity and inclusion to the pet care industry. She believes that technology, better working practices, and innovative business models make the world a great place, and she is excited about the future of the pet grooming industry.

Zach Rattner

Zach Rattner, the Chief Technology Officer and co-founder at Yembo, is a software engineer with over 15 years of experience. He has a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Virginia Tech. Yembo is the leader in AI-powered virtual surveys with over 2 million videos inspected and customers in over 20 countries.

Zach's previous projects include building a flashcard studying tool that scaled to over a million users and serving as the software lead for Qualcomm's internal innovation program, Qualcomm ImpaQt.

• Top AI voice on LinkedIn
• Top 2% of contributors on Stack Overflow
• 23 granted US patents with several more pending 

Dorota Rymaszewska

Co-founder and CEO of hiPets, a startup dedicated to bridging the supply-demand gap in veterinary care. hiPets is a SaaS scheduling system for veterinary clinics that features an inbuilt AI pet diagnostic tool, enhancing clinic capacity by 15% - same hands, same time, less stress. A serial entrepreneur and certified business trainer, she holds a PhD in Microelectronics and an MBA in Business Psychology. Dorota brings 24 years of expertise in sales and management from global firms, with a successful track record of managing culturally diverse teams across five continents.

Johnny Tran

Miles Swammi

Miles Swammi is Sr. Principal - Business Development for 301 Inc.  Miles is a 12-year veteran at General Mills, serving in finance roles in Private Equity investments, R&D, Sales, and most recently leading venture strategy for Disruptive Growth.  Miles is a fan of pets, with a particular bias for Pomeranians.

Tai Conley

Niti Patel

Woody Mawhinney

Ed Sayres

Dennis Chmiel, DVM

Dr. Cherri Trusheim

Andrew Petz

Andrew is currently serving as the head of Gold Medal Ventures, the growth equity investment arm of General Mills. In 12 years at the company, Andrew has led portfolio shaping efforts across the globe with execution responsibility that spans from emerging brands up to large scale transformational transactions. Prior to General Mills, Andrew spent time in private equity and investment banking.

Julia Sosa

Julia Sosa is an Experience & Design leader whose lifelong love of animals led to her passion and focus in the pet care and veterinary industries. As a founding member and Chief Experience Officer of Pumpkin, one of the fastest-growing pet insurance companies in the United States, Julia leads user research, experience strategy, and product and brand design for their pet owner and veterinary partnerships. Julia is an active member of the rescue and shelter community, a devoted foster and adoption counselor for the NYC Animal Care Center, and works as an advisor and volunteer for multiple pet welfare organizations. She is the proud pet mom to 2 small dogs, 2 very large cats, and over 92+ foster kittens (and counting).

Boo Larsen

Andrew Ganjavian

Architecturally trained and creatively entrepreneurial by nature, Ali Ganjavian has co-founded a design-driven business that collaborates with Fortune 500 companies globally, as well as a consumer lifestyle brand that creates innovative products designed to enhance rest and well-being in everyday life. A passion for pushing boundaries and a lifelong love for animals, has led Ali to build his latest venture, Moggie, a data company dedicated to improving the lives of cats and making a positive impact in animal health.

Joe Watson

Jordan Van Walsen

Mariel Devesa

Mariel Devesa has over 15 years of transformative experience across legacy and startup companies both domestically and internationally.  She has developed and lead multiple industry first initiatives and is renowned for her knack for innovation and forging strategic partnerships.  She currently leads Strategic Partnerships for Independence Pet Holdings and calls Los Angeles home.

Rachel Sheppard