From obesity to renal disease, chronic conditions remain some of the toughest challenges in veterinary medicine. Changemakers examine how next-generation therapeutics, supported by diagnostics and other modalities, can deliver sustainable results and change the way veterinarians manage long-term disease.
Moderator
Bruce Truman
President and Founder
BLT Technology & Innovation Group
Panellists
Gudrun Ravetz
Group Chief Medical Officer
IVC Evidensia
Currently Gudrun works as a Veterinary Consultant to Pet Health Plans from Denplan and as an external interviewer for prospective veterinary students at University of Liverpool. Alongside practicing as a small animal veterinary surgeon on graduating in 2002, Gudrun furthered her interest in the business side of the veterinary profession by studying for the post graduate certificate in business. Gudrun became President at the BVA Member’s Day and AGM on 22 September 2016.
Edwina Gildea MVB MRCVS
Senior Director-Head of Global Medical Portfolio Support-Global Medical Affairs
Zoetis
Greg Blair
Vice President of Business Development
Zomedica
From generics to emerging technologies and distribution partnerships, innovative routes to market are expanding reach and reshaping the competitive landscape. Leaders share how new models are lowering barriers to entry, driving scale, accelerating time to market, and creating sustainable value across the ecosystem.
Moderator
Candise Goodwin
Founder
Outlier Advisors
Candise Goodwin is a recognized leader in the pet industry, with over 15 years of experience helping companies navigate market complexity, scale solutions, and deliver measurable impact. Her background spans pivotal roles at industry leaders including Merck Animal Health, Vets First Choice, VIP Petcare/PETIQ, and Petco, where she led major digital transformations and launched numerous high-profile, industry-changing growth initiatives.
Candise has dedicated her career to understanding the challenges and opportunities within the pet industry. She has worked closely with retailers, veterinary groups, pet technology companies, product and service providers, and pharmacies - developing a holistic, customer-centric viewpoint of the industry's unique ecosystem along the way.
Today, Candise extends her expertise to clients seeking to navigate the complexities of the market. Her firm, Outlier Advisors, provides strategic consulting services that reflect her distinctive blend of innovative thinking, deep industry knowledge, and ability to spot emerging trends. Outlier Advisors partners with industry leaders, investors, and startups to develop actionable strategies that meet the demands of an evolving pet landscape.
Candise is also a sought-after speaker, advisor, author, and mentor, known for sharing rare and multifaceted insights and practical strategies with fellow Outliers.
Panellists
Steve Shell
President
MWI Animal Health
Peggy Pleines
Global Growth Strategist & M&A Advisor in Animal Health and Pet Care
Founder & Strategic Advisor to Animal Health Brands and Investors
Angelo Gatto
CEO
Chanelle Pharma
Julia Stephanus
Partner
Borealis Ventures
Julia has been a visionary entrepreneur and strategic brand builder in the veterinary industry for 30+ years. Her achievements include building and scaling two successful start-up veterinary pharmaceutical businesses and launching 28 veterinary products. She was Founder and CEO of Summit VetPharm, which exited to Ceva Animal Health in 2010. As Chief Commercial Officer of Aratana Therapeutics (PETX), she was instrumental in the IPO and the buildout of a fully integrated commercial organization. Julia led the co-promotion and the licensing of Aratana’s lead osteoarthritis product, Galliprant®, to Elanco. Aratana exited to Elanco in 2019.
Julia is Founder and President of Avviare, LLC, providing consulting services to start-ups and established players in veterinary biopharmaceuticals. In addition to the start-up experience, Julia’s career includes senior-level positions at Ceva, Forest Laboratories (Allergan) and Pfizer Animal Health (Zoetis) and their legacy companies.
Julia presently serves on the Boards of PBI Gordon, ReduxBio, and Jenga Biosciences. Julia is a Founding Director and Board Member of Feather in Her Cap, recognizing outstanding women in Animal Health.
Julia received her Bachelor of Arts from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, with additional education at the Wharton School of Business, Columbia University, the University of Chicago, and Harvard University.
Natacha Gaillard
Co-Founder and Co-CEO
ASTRA Therapeutics