Missed the live event? Don’t worry—you can still reshape your team’s future with our exclusive webinar replay! Stream “The Talent Crisis in Veterinary Medicine: How Do We Fix It?” and gain expert-backed strategies for building a sustainable, people-first veterinary workforce.
Burnout. Talent shortages. High turnover. The veterinary workforce is at a critical crossroads—and this session delivers practical solutions to help your team thrive. Our expert panel shares bold ideas and proven frameworks for recruiting, leading, and retaining top talent in today’s challenging environment.
Here’s your roadmap to build a thriving and resilient team:
Don’t let the talent crisis define your practice’s future. Stream the replay today and discover how to create a workplace where both people and pets flourish.
CEO, Empower Business Strategies
Anthony LaPolla is a strategic human resources leader, M&A integration expert, and veterinary HR advisor dedicated to helping organizations unlock the full potential of their people. With over 15 years of experience across industries and deep specialization in the veterinary space, Anthony brings a transformative approach to leadership development, workforce strategy, and organizational design.
As the Founder and CEO of Empower Business Strategies, Anthony leads a full-service HR consulting and leadership development firm that partners with early- to mid-stage startups, veterinary practices, and mission-driven organizations. His work focuses on aligning people strategies with business outcomes—boosting retention, fostering inclusive culture, and preparing teams for sustainable growth.
Anthony holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Medaille College and a bachelor’s in Health Studies and Human Behavior from Utica College. His education is further enriched by training in communication, management, and mortuary sciences—underscoring a lifelong commitment to service, empathy, and interdisciplinary insight.
Previously, he held pivotal HR leadership roles at United Veterinary Care and Encore Vet Group, where he specialized in M&A integrations and performance management. He has developed integration roadmaps for complex veterinary acquisitions and led cross-functional teams through change initiatives that drive measurable value post-transaction.
Known for blending strategic thinking with hands-on execution, Anthony advises veterinary leadership teams on everything from HR compliance and onboarding to long-term talent development and change readiness. Through Empower Business Strategies, he helps build people-first cultures that scale with confidence.
Based in New York, Anthony is a sought-after speaker and thought partner in veterinary business forums. He is passionate about equipping veterinary leaders with the frameworks, tools, and support needed to create workplaces where both people and practices can thrive.
Managing Director, Tipp City Veterinary Hospital
Ben Spinks is a veterinary business strategist, consultant, and practice leader who has spent over two decades advancing the operational, cultural, and technological landscape of veterinary medicine. As Managing Director and Co-Owner of Tipp City Veterinary Hospital and Tipp to Tail Pet Resort, Ben blends compassionate care with cutting-edge management—creating an award-winning veterinary campus rooted in excellence, trust, and innovation.
Ben holds an MBA in Management, Innovation, and Change from Wright State University and is a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM). His academic and professional background spans applied positive psychology, project leadership, and interdisciplinary entrepreneurship, reflecting a career devoted to growth-minded, people-first leadership in veterinary settings.
He is also the Co-Founder and Business Advisor of Veteos, a veterinary-focused video production company that empowers practices across North America through compelling visual content for client education, marketing, and staff recruitment. Under his guidance, Veteos has received multiple NAVC Vetty Awards, including Best in Show honors.
In his role as Principal Consultant at Branchworth, Ben provides tailored advisory services to veterinary teams—offering expert coaching in strategic planning, operations, financial analysis, HR, and leadership development. His work consistently supports practices in building resilient, sustainable business models that can adapt to industry change while strengthening internal culture.
With certifications in human resources and a strong foundation in psychometric and demographic analysis, Ben brings a systems-thinking approach to the complex challenges facing modern veterinary businesses. Whether guiding leadership transitions or implementing innovative workflows, his focus remains on sustainable impact and high-performing teams.
Based in Tipp City, Ohio, Ben is an influential voice in veterinary business thought leadership. He regularly collaborates with veterinary owners, managers, and service providers across the country, championing progress that honors both people and pets.
CEO, All Pets Hospital Veterinario & Vetflexx S.A.
Esteban Sotomayor is a veterinary business consultant, practice leader, and operations strategist transforming veterinary clinics across Latin America into high-performing, sustainable businesses. As CEO of both All Pets Hospital Veterinario—Ecuador’s first 24/7 emergency veterinary hospital—and Vetflexx S.A, a veterinary equipment distribution company, Esteban combines real-world leadership with deep business expertise to drive meaningful growth across the veterinary ecosystem.
With certifications as a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) and Certified Veterinary Business Leader (CVBL), Esteban is recognized for his ability to bridge the gap between clinical excellence and strategic management. He works directly with veterinary clinics across the region, providing consulting, training, and advisory services in leadership, financial performance, and client experience optimization.
Esteban holds a Master of Business Administration in Marketing and dual bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of New Orleans. He grew up immersed in veterinary care through his family’s pioneering hospital, giving him a firsthand understanding of the operational demands, emotional complexities, and growth potential within veterinary practice ownership.
Through speaking engagements, workshops, and published insights, Esteban empowers veterinary professionals to rethink how they lead, grow, and innovate. His work emphasizes actionable strategies in business administration, service design, marketing, and technology adoption—customized to fit the Latin American market and its cultural and economic realities.
At Vetflexx S.A., he remains at the forefront of emerging veterinary technologies, helping practices integrate tools that improve efficiency, diagnostics, and patient care. This dual perspective—from inside both the clinic and the industry supply chain—gives Esteban a unique, holistic lens on the future of veterinary services.
A respected voice in the international veterinary business community and the 2024–2025 VHMA Emerging Leader Award recipient, Esteban is based in Quito, Ecuador. He continues to collaborate with veterinary leaders, educators, and organizations across borders to elevate standards, drive innovation, and improve care for pets and people alike.
Owner, By Your Side Solutions
Jenny Matthews is a seasoned veterinary consultant and practice leader dedicated to simplifying the complexities of veterinary management—one hospital at a time. As the founder of By Your Side Solutions, Jenny partners with clinics across the U.S. to streamline operations, build resilient teams, and empower practice owners with the tools they need for long-term success.
With dual certifications as a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) and Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM), Jenny brings a unique perspective that bridges clinical care with strategic management. Her decades of hands-on experience—spanning both front-line care and executive practice leadership—have made her a trusted guide for practices seeking balance, growth, and sustainability.
Currently serving as Practice Manager at Deer Creek Animal Clinic in Oklahoma, Jenny combines her consulting work with active leadership in veterinary operations. Her work focuses on improving organizational culture, client engagement, staff development, and system efficiencies—tailored to the unique challenges of each practice she supports.
Jenny holds an AS in Veterinary Technology and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Veterinary Hospital Management from St. Petersburg College. Her leadership style is grounded in empathy, clarity, and a deep passion for helping veterinary teams thrive. Whether she’s coaching managers, redesigning workflows, or presenting at conferences, Jenny’s goal is always the same: to create healthier work environments where both pets and people flourish.
Beyond her veterinary work, Jenny is a community leader, Girl Scout mentor, and lifelong Hufflepuff—dedicated to building meaningful relationships and spreading practical joy wherever she goes.
Based in Mustang, Oklahoma, she continues to collaborate with veterinary professionals and organizations to elevate care, streamline management, and bring heart back into the business of animal health.
Founder & CEO, Flourishing Phoenix Veterinary Consultants
Dr. Philip Richmond is a veterinarian, psychological health advocate, and organizational wellbeing consultant committed to transforming the culture of veterinary workplaces. As the Founder and CEO of Flourishing Phoenix Veterinary Consultants, he leads veterinary teams toward healthier, safer, and more resilient work environments through science-based strategies rooted in applied positive psychology, trauma-informed leadership, and psychological safety.
A practicing veterinarian with over 15 years of clinical and leadership experience, Dr. Richmond has served as Chief Medical & Wellbeing Officer for Veterinary United and as Medical Director at multiple small animal hospitals. His leadership journey has been shaped by both on-the-ground practice management and his deep commitment to addressing the mental health crisis in the profession.
Dr. Richmond holds certifications in Applied Positive Psychology (CAPP), Psychological Health & Safety Advising (CPHSA), Compassion Fatigue Prevention (CCFP), Resilience Training, Appreciative Inquiry, and Suicide Prevention. He is also Co-Founder of the PERMAH Tool for Veterinary Workplaces, a science-backed framework for assessing and improving team wellbeing.
A national and international leader in the veterinary wellbeing movement, Dr. Richmond chairs the Florida Veterinary Medical Association’s Professional Wellbeing Committee and contributes to several national boards and working groups focused on suicide prevention, mental health policy, and workplace transformation. His collaborators include the CDC/NIOSH, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Veterinary Visionaries, MentorVet, and Appalachian State University.
An award-winning speaker and writer, Dr. Richmond is a co-author of the Veterinary Visionaries’ “Psychological Health and Safety Guidelines” and a frequent guest on podcasts and conference panels. His work has earned honors including FVMA Veterinarian of the Year, the UVC Founder’s Award, and finalist recognition for the US Bright Minds Veterinary Wellness Champion.
Based in Odessa, Florida, Dr. Richmond is a passionate champion for systemic change, trauma-informed leadership, and organizational healing in veterinary medicine. Through his consulting and advocacy, he empowers veterinary professionals to not just survive—but flourish.