Missed the live session? Watch the replay and dive into the most significant challenges shaping the future of veterinary practice ownership — and how today’s leaders are overcoming them with clarity, strategy, and innovation.
In this powerful summit, industry experts in Marketing, Law, Leadership, and Practice Management break down the realities of modern ownership: evolving client expectations, economic pressures, staffing shortages, and rapid advances in technology. Whether you’re managing growth, navigating compliance, or leading a team through change, this replay gives you the tools to move forward with confidence.
This isn’t theory — it’s a practical, real-world guide to future-proofing your veterinary business.
Your roadmap to leading a resilient, future-ready veterinary practice:
This session is your opportunity to gain clarity, refine your systems, and establish a practice that thrives — even in the face of industry-wide change. Walk away with actionable insights, proven strategies, and the confidence to lead your team into the future with resilience and purpose.
Practice Owner & Mentor | Business Sustainability Advocate
Owner, Adobe Veterinary Center | Founder, Veterinary MBA
Dr. Christine Staten is a seasoned veterinary entrepreneur with over two decades of experience as a mixed animal practitioner and clinic owner. Based in Tucson, Arizona, she is the solo owner of Adobe Veterinary Center, a thriving multi-doctor practice with two locations and a 50-member team serving both large and small animal clients.
Christine’s journey began with a passion for animals nurtured through 4-H and an early career as a Labor & Delivery technician. After earning her veterinary degree from Colorado State University in 1999, she joined her childhood vet and eventually helped grow the practice into a regional fixture in mixed animal care.
Driven by a deep commitment to mentorship and professional development, Dr. Staten hosts over 30 veterinary student externs annually and leads two educational events through her non-profit: Future Practitioner’s Weekend and the Horse Owner Education Seminar.
In 2023, she earned her MBA from Louisiana State University and launched Veterinary MBA, a consultancy dedicated to helping fellow veterinary professionals build sustainable businesses and reclaim work-life balance.
A dynamic leader, educator, and mentor, Christine brings clarity, energy, and lived experience to every room she enters—while balancing life as a wife, mother of five, grandmother of six, and a real estate dabbler with commercial, rental, and Airbnb ventures.
Veterinary Marketing Expert
Marketing Manager at Ekwa Marketing
Lester De Alwis is a veterinary marketing expert and senior executive at Ekwa Marketing, where he brings strategic insight and creative precision to driving brand growth, enhancing audience engagement, and fostering partnership development.
With a robust background in business management and marketing strategy, Lester helps veterinary organizations enhance their visibility, foster meaningful connections, and achieve sustainable growth. His approach combines data-driven strategy with authentic storytelling, ensuring that every initiative aligns with purpose and delivers measurable results.
Beyond the veterinary field, Lester also consults across the dental and aesthetic industries, helping healthcare professionals elevate their brands and foster long-term success. His mission is to create purpose-driven marketing initiatives that empower professional communities and drive lasting impact.
Leadership Coach
Owner/Principal Consultant, Southern Meridian Veterinary Consulting
With over 15 years of experience in the veterinary field, Leah Parris is a dedicated professional at the intersection of animal care and strategic leadership. A Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) and Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), she combines clinical expertise with innovative practice management to foster thriving veterinary teams and practices.
Leah’s career is marked by a passion for advocacy and mentorship. As a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional (CCFP), she prioritizes holistic well-being for veterinary professionals, emphasizing resilience and balance in the workplace. Her leadership extends beyond the clinic as a RACE-approved speaker and the co-founder of the Not One More Vet (NOMV) Georgia Chapter.
She founded Southern Meridian Veterinary Consulting to empower veterinary teams through coaching, interim management, and consultancy, drawing on her diverse experience in launching and managing practices. Recognized as an Emerging Leader by the Veterinary Hospital Management Association, Leah’s dedication to advancing the industry is evident in her contributions to esteemed veterinary publications.
Away from her professional life, Leah enjoys spending time by the lake with her family—including a spirited toy poodle and two turtles—exploring fitness, culinary adventures, and reading. Her commitment to enhancing veterinary practices and supporting professionals is a reflection of her belief in empathy, growth, and meaningful impact.
Attorney | DEA & Regulatory Compliance ExpertChair, Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP
Mary Mongioi is a Partner at Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP and Chair of the firm’s Veterinary Practice Group. With more than two decades of experience in veterinary and dental corporate law, Mary is nationally recognized for her expertise in practice acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and DEA regulatory compliance. She represents both individual practice owners and private equity-backed consolidators across the United States, guiding clients through the full lifecycle of practice ownership—from formation and financing to mergers, sales, and transitions.
In addition to corporate and transactional matters, Mary provides strategic counsel on partnership structuring, leasing and real estate deals, and regulatory audits. She is especially known for her skill in DEA compliance and diversion-related legal challenges within veterinary and dental settings.
Mary’s leadership in the veterinary industry includes serving as Chair of VetPartners’ 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting, and she has received numerous accolades including being named to Crain’s 2022 Notable Women in Law and New York Super Lawyers®. She is also a published author on legal topics ranging from estate tax to trust principles.
A former adjunct professor of Business Law and Real Estate at Touro College, Mary earned her law degree from Hofstra University and her undergraduate degree in English from Wagner College. She is a sought-after speaker and trusted advisor to veterinary professionals seeking practical, legally sound solutions to complex business issues.
Vice President Strategic Partnerships, Locate™ Strategy
Rhonda Meyer is a dynamic, growth-driven leader with over two decades of experience in business development, strategic partnerships, and operations across the healthcare and service industries. Known for her collaborative leadership style and solution-oriented approach, she excels at building high-impact relationships and driving business growth through change and innovation.
Currently serving as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Locate Strategy, Rhonda plays a pivotal role in delivering high-precision market analysis and location strategy solutions to healthcare professionals, including those in dental, veterinary, optometric, and medical sectors. Her work empowers practice owners and industry experts with data-driven insights for startup, acquisition, and expansion decisions.
Previously, Rhonda held senior leadership roles at Wells Fargo Practice Finance, where she led national business strategies and regional sales initiatives in the healthcare financing sector. She has also held operations leadership positions at Les Concierges, VentureOne, and Safeguard Health (now part of MetLife), where she honed her expertise in customer service delivery, loyalty programs, and DSO services.
Rhonda studied Business Administration and Management at UCLA Extension and continues to be an active connector in the healthcare industry, combining strategic vision with operational excellence to deliver measurable results.