From Vet Tech to Candidate: Why I’m Running for AVMA President-Elect

From Vet Tech to Candidate: Why I’m Running for AVMA President-Elect

(And Why the Non-Traditional Path Might Be Exactly What We Need)

Not long ago, someone asked me — genuinely, not critically — “Why you?”

Why you, Jen? Why not wait? Why now?

I smiled, because I knew they weren’t questioning my intentions. They were asking what many people are quietly  wondering: Why would someone who didn’t follow the traditional path to AVMA presidency throw their name in the ring?

My answer was simple:
Because the path I’ve taken is exactly why I’m ready to lead.

🔄 The Journey That Built This Candidacy

I didn’t grow up imagining I’d one day run for AVMA President-Elect.
What I did grow up with was a love for animals, a deep curiosity for how things work, and a stubborn sense of purpose when I know something matters.

A quick look at my journey:

• Licensed Veterinary Technician
  For more than a decade, I worked on the floor — in GP, mixed animal, and ER — before vet school was even in the picture.
• DVM from The Ohio State University and MPH from the University of Iowa
  While studying veterinary medicine, I also pursued my Master of Public Health. I knew from the beginning that our profession doesn’t just treat animals — we protect communities.
• Clinician & Medical Director
  My first job post-grad was at the same practice where I’d once worked as a tech. I became medical director for this multi-location private practice, leading teams and supporting both medicine and operations.
• Entrepreneur & Educator
  I co-founded Veterinarian Coaching to support wellbeing, stress management, and career transitions. I’ve mentored, trained, and coached veterinary professionals of every kind — because we all deserve to thrive, not just survive.
• Chief Veterinary Officer at a Tech Startup
  In my current role, I help build and scale technology solutions that serve veterinary teams, improve client care, and support practice sustainability. I’m proudest of how we’ve kept veterinary clinics/hospitals and vet med people at the center of this work.
• AVMA Vice President, Council Chair, and Grateful Volunteer
  I’ve served at almost every level of organized veterinary medicine. I’m past president of the Kentucky VMA and co-facilitator of the KVMA Power of Ten Program. From chairing working groups that shaped telemedicine guidelines, to advocating for wellbeing resources with my Future Leaders cohort, to visiting dozens of vet schools during my time as VP — I’ve shown up, rolled up my sleeves, and built relationships across the country.

🧭 The “Non-Traditional” Path Is a Strength

I’ll be honest: I haven’t followed the usual route to this campaign.

But here’s what I believe:

Our profession doesn’t need more of the same.

It needs leaders who’ve seen vet med from the ground up.
Who’ve worked the late shifts, taken on-call emergencies, managed the fallout when a staff member walks out midweek, and still believed in the future.

It needs leaders who don’t just talk about innovation — they’ve built it.
Leaders who’ve mentored students, collaborated with volunteers, worked in industry and private practice, and know what it’s like to be in the middle of a chaotic Thursday when three emergencies walk in and your associate vet is stuck in traffic.

My path may not be traditional — but it is trail-tested.
And every step has prepared me for this one.

💛 Why I’m Running

I’m running because I believe deeply in this profession.
Because I believe in the people — from shelter medicine to surgery suites, from startup offices to rural trucks, from classroom labs to clinic floors.

I believe that veterinary medicine is ready for bold, collaborative, heart-centered leadership. Leadership that listens first, leads with curiosity, and builds the kind of future we can all be proud of.

This is more than a campaign.
It’s a calling — to serve, to connect, to elevate, and to leave the profession better than we found it.

I’m ready. And I’d be honored to earn your trust and serve as AVMA’s 2025-26 President Elect.