Speakers
Jess Okon
Jess is a leading expert in professional pet care with extensive experience in the industry. Her current focus is on collaborating with the industry's top pet product companies, specializing in pet boarding and daycare operations. Over the years, Jess has mastered all aspects of the pet industry, from grooming to managing high-volume dog hotels, daycare, and training facilities across South Florida. Her reputation was built by working with start-ups during their planning phases, launching new services, driving sales, and developing robust policies and procedures to support company growth and development. Jess's expertise is further enhanced by her dog training experience, making her a well-rounded professional dedicated to elevating standards in pet care and operational efficiency.
Jeff Adney
Jeff has worked in the resinous coatings industry for the past 30 years and has been heavily involved in the Animal Care Industry for the past 25. He has worked in the field, trained, sold and marketed for manufacturers and installation companies. Jeff's latest venture is bringing epoxy and installation of animal care related equipment in house. In addition to working with the various flooring and wall products specific to this industry, he consults with designers and architects and enjoys speaking at the various animal care conferences, Veterinary Universities and privately-sponsored events. Jeff currently does strategic business development for TCW Construction, Inc.
Shahrina Ankhi-Krol, Esq.
Shahrina Ankhi-Krol, Esq. is a distinguished attorney and the founder of Ankhi-Krol Law. Founded in 2012, Ankhi-Krol Law has become a leading legal service provider that caters exclusively to the needs of start-ups, small businesses, and entrepreneurs all over the country. Ankhi-Krol Law has a niche practice in the pet industry and works with pet businesses throughout the country. The firm's areas of practice are Business, Contract, Trademark, and Copyright Laws. In addition to publishing in numerous pet-related magazines and informational materials, Ms. Ankhi-Krol has also presented at many pet conferences, expositions, and events, and is an eighth time Rising Star Super Lawyer, a recognition given to no more than 2.5% of attorneys in each state, each year.
Lora Bacharach
Lora Bacharach, owner and founder of North Country PAWS for Obedience & Enrichment Center, brings over 14 years of experience in the canine industry. Her certifications include Evaluator of AKC, Evaluator and Handler under Therapy Dogs International, Canine Fitness Instructor, and Advanced Certified Dog Trainer through the International Association of Canine Professionals. In addition, she also oversees an inmate training program. Lora's unique approach to training both the handler and their companion always brings new outlooks and interactive ways to train her clients.
John Beres, DVM
Dr. John Beres is a veterinarian who owned and operated a pet boarding and doggy daycare center along with his general practice for 12 years. He is now the CEO and founder of Canine Lab Testing. Canine Lab Testing partners exclusively with pet enrichment centers like pet boarding and doggy daycare centers to provide Healthy Pets Healthy Packs solutions. He is the first to offer a comprehensive parasite monitoring program for these facilities, improving the lives of many dogs and pet parents.
Matthew Buccioni
Matthew Buccioni serves as the Product and Technical Marketing Manager at Virox Technologies Inc., creator of the world’s safest, most effective, and eco-conscious disinfectant technologies. Drawing on his background and interest in biomedical science and infection prevention, Matt is responsible for providing education and technical support to a wide range of industries on preventing infection through cleaning and disinfection. He has authored articles, developed training materials, and delivered presentations to help facilities create and build upon their infection prevention protocols.
Janie Budnick
With over 30 years in the pet industry, Janie Budnick is a seasoned expert and a seven-figure business owner. She has owned and operated multiple successful pet businesses and is passionately dedicated to the industry's growth through collaboration and community. Deeply concerned for the integrity of the pet industry and standards of care, Janie serves on the board of directors for the Professional Animal Care Certification Council, holding both her CPACO and CPACP certifications. As the founder of PetBiz University, she helps pet business owners bridge the gap between where they are and where they want to be. She also founded PetBizCRM, the industry's first integrated relationship and marketing automation solution designed specifically for pet business owners by pet business owners.
Fernando Camacho
Fern has been a dog behavior consultant for over a decade, helping people and dogs live together better. In addition to working with dogs, he also does private consulting with dog businesses, doing staff training as well as helping them utilize modern resources to expand their customer base and grow their businesses. In addition, Fern runs Overdog Digital, a digital marketing agency specializing in helping dog businesses grow utilizing online tools and platforms. He is also the author of seven books and a speaker at national conferences and private events.
Kari Campbell
Kari Campbell, a Certified Professional Animal Care Operator, speaker and pet business expert, has over twenty years’ experience in the pet care industry, eighteen as the founder and operator of Dog Tired K9 Activity Center in Anchorage, Alaska. Dog Tired is an enrichment based daycare that operates with the health, safety, and well-being of their guests as their top priority. Her passion is to provide the highest level of care quality for her clients through education, compassion, and transparent communication. She has worked with The Dog Gurus for the past five years as a business coach and recently joined their team full time. Kari served on the Professional Animal Care Certification Council Board of Directors for the past six years. She is the co-founder of The Normandy Project, an animal pet food bank in Alaska and co-founder of the Alaska League for Animal Welfare Standards (LAWS).
Claire Cronin
Claire originally joined Live Oak Bank in 2015. In 2018, Claire moved onto the vet and kennel team, where her focus has been on assisting customers with financial options, including acquisitions, expansions, start-ups, and renovation projects. Her goal is to provide financial solutions that afford her clients opportunities to continue to grow their businesses.
Nick Falk
Nick Falk is the COO of Better Than Home, a network of premier pet resorts nationwide dedicated to offering exceptional experiences for pets and their owners. Nick brings extensive leadership expertise from multiple sectors, focusing on multi-site services in healthcare and logistics. He has held key roles, including COO in an autism therapy start-up and Division VP at DaVita Kidney Care, overseeing 70+ clinics and managing a team of over 1,200 during the pandemic. Under his leadership, his division excelled in clinical outcomes, teammate engagement, retention, and operational excellence.
Mel Forbes
Mel Forbes is a National Animal Care Cleaning Consultant for Health Technology Professional Products Inc, nearing his 20th year as a Pet Care Facility Maintenance consultant for veterinary, pet boarding & daycare, grooming, and animal shelter staff on daily cleaning protocols and OSHA Compliance. He consults with architects, animal care facility personal, and speaks at various animal care conferences. Mel is proud to be part of the Health Technology team of consultants that specializes in the Safe Sanitation Processes of animal care facilities.
Dr. Matthew Goetz
Dr. Matthew Goetz is a dedicated veterinarian currently serving as the Clinical Relations Lead Veterinarian for the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine. In this role, he manages relationships between veterinary practices and the college, mentors veterinary students, and ensures a positive experience for both students and practitioners. Dr. Goetz has extensive experience in veterinary population medicine, having worked for a biopharmaceutical company where he advised animal shelters and large boarding kennels on disease management, including vaccine protocols, sanitation, disinfection, and disease outbreak response. His career also includes significant experience in animal shelters in the Phoenix area and private practices across North Carolina, South Carolina, and New Mexico.
Teija Heikkilä
Teija Heikkilä has been a business owner in the pet care industry since the early 90's. She has owned several full-service pet care facilities and founded PET|VET M&A, Sales & Advisory (formerly National Kennel Sales & Appraisals) in 2007. Having personally owned, operated, built and sold pet businesses over the course of her long career has given her the invaluable insight to understand the business aspect of our industry, facility owners, their challenges and drivers. Teija is a highly accredited professional having been awarded "Certified M&A Professional" (CM&AP), "Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary" (M&AMI) and "Middle Market Professional" (MMP) designations along with being a Licensed Real Estate Broker in most states.
Amy Hillis
Amy is an international thought-leader, public speaker, author, and entrepreneur in the pet care services industry. She is Social Pet Hotel and Daycare’s Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer and currently serves as the Chair of the Professional Animal Care Certification Council (PACCC) board. In 2023, Amy won the IBPSA Industry Leader Award, which recognizes those who have made outstanding efforts to improve the pet care industry through humanitarian or animal welfare efforts as well as education and industry development. She is also a Certified Professional Animal Care Operator, Pet Tech Instructor, and a Fear Free Certified Professional.
Dominic Hodgson
Dom Hodgson, from North East England, is known as “The Pet Biz Wiz,” and is CEO of Pet Business Marketing Ltd. In 2011, he pioneered the launch of the UK's first Dog Adventure company and is also a highly respected dog trainer who has authored nine books. As one of the world’s leading pet business coaches and marketing strategists, Dom has helped over 1,600 frustrated pet business owners to double or triple their revenue so they can work less, have more fun, and create a truly impactful business. His superpower is helping ambitious, heart-centred petpreneurs to stand out, systemise and scale up their existing business, and find the “hidden money” by exploiting new business opportunities.
Laura Laaman
Laura Laaman is known as the queen of revenue for the pet care industry. Since 1989, her company Outstanding Pet Care has been providing word-class consulting and education for the pet care industry. Laura has helped her clients collectively generate over an additional $1 billion in revenue growth. Laura’s effective strategies and techniques are consistently proven to boost revenues while empowering her clients to deliver even greater pet care. Since the beginning of her career Laura has been breaking national sales records, publishing top-selling business books, and winning awards for her precedence as a speaker and trainer.
Joe Latona
Joe has worked in the pet care industry since 2008. Before starting WalkerScout, his greatest professional achievement was in 2018, when the team Joe recruited performed over 60,000 dog-walking services. While managing a dog-walking business, Joe also worked as a recruiter for a recruitment processing outsourcer specializing in the airline industry. In 2019, inspired by his time as a recruiter, Joe started WalkerScout, the first recruiting solution for the pet care industry. Over the last five years, WalkerScout has recruited hundreds of individuals for over 50 small businesses. In 2023, Joe spoke at the NAPPS, FPSA, and IBPSA conferences and published an article with PSI magazine.
Shawnte Marquez
Shawnte Marquez, Business Development and Coaching Guru at the Dog Gurus, previously owned Joyful Paws Pet Hotel & Daycare in Long Beach, California. Shawnte started the business independently and stumbled over various obstacles. She sought help from the Dog Gurus and built the company to gross over seven figures, allowing her to sell the business on her terms. Since selling her business, she has gained a strong understanding of the preparation necessary to be a viable business for buyers. Her strengths are helping owners switch to working on their business rather than in it by developing their management team, building a successful sales process, understanding their financials, and increasing profit margins while maintaining the highest standards and care quality for pets.
Marti Michalis
Marti began her career working as a professional recruiter. In 2008 she purchased an existing dog daycare business in Riverside, CA, where she changed the name, reorganized, and hired new staff. Marti spent the first three years marketing and getting the business to a very profitable level. She implemented processes and procedures to make the business run smoothly without her and handed the daily operations to a General Manager. She then opened a second location closer to home and spends most of her time on Human Resources, Accounting, and Marketing.
Phil Miller
Phil Miller is the Founder & President of Pawville, Inc. He started with his first facility in 2007 and grew Pawille to a chain of seven pet resorts in North Carolina and Florida. Pawville was recently featured in Inc magazine as one of the 5,000 fastest growing companies in the US and is on track to repeat that performance next year. Phil obtained his MBA from University of North Carolina Wilmington where he learned to incorporate business fundamentals into his pet resort business. His understanding of business mechanics has enabled his business growth and he enjoys sharing these insights with other pet business owners.
Eve Molzhon
Eve Molzhon’s interest in dogs began 20 years ago as a board member for Capable Canines of Wisconsin, a non-profit service dog organization. She worked in sales management, marketing, and project management, but CCOW inspired her to delve into the animal care industry. She is a member of APDT, IACP, and IAABC. In 2013, she opened Fun Fur Pets Dog Daycare and Boarding. As business grew, Eve saw gaps in employee training, so she created an online, video-based, fully automated staff training program, Dog Handler Academy. At Fun Fur Pets, she created Dog School, a program for dog socialization and obedience training.
Ashlee Moore
With over a decade of experience in growing successful start-ups, Ashlee knows what it takes to build a successful business from the ground up. Through her work as a Sales and Business Development professional, Ashlee has been an integral part of the success and growth of businesses in the health, wellness, and veterinary space. She has worked with pet care businesses across the country, is passionate about their results, and knows what it takes to stand out in this very competitive field. She holds a degree in Business Management and Marketing from Penn State and has leveraged her knowledge and expertise to ensure the goals of small business owners are achieved.
Mark Moore
As principal of FMD, with more than 36 years of experience, Mark believes that every project is all about helping you. He is motivated to continue to grow FMD’s Animal Care Studio and wants to educate each client and help them get started, while meeting their design, budget and schedule expectations. Mark has done podcasts, webinars with banks, lectures to universities and private companies, all to help the clients. He values the importance of personal, professional relationships with all of FMD’s clients and collaborative partners. The ultimate goal is to have a client that is as satisfied using their facility as when they first started to dream of their new project.
Lynn Paolillo
Lynn Paolillo has been grooming both dogs and cats for over 10 years. The last 5 have been dedicated to working as an instructor and certifier with the National Cat Groomers Institute of America, Inc. teaching cat grooming students from around the globe. She also owns and operates Cat Naps Cattery, a feline-exclusive boarding and grooming business in New Jersey.
Mallory Poirier
With over 15 years in the pet care industry, Mallory is the proud co-owner of Fetch n' Catch Canine Recreation Center, located in Buffalo, NY, and is the co-creator of the PackPro Dog Daycare Training program, which offers a Pet Care Management Masterclass, teaching pet care professionals on a variety of topics. Mallory’s passion lies in shaping leaders, enhancing company culture, and teaching essential dog daycare skills. She has spoken at numerous conferences nationwide, sharing her expertise and insights. Through Mallory’s work, she strives to elevate standards in pet care and inspire others in the industry.
Lily Siwak
Lily Siwak is the Marketing Director of Better Than Home, a network of premier pet resorts nationwide dedicated to offering exceptional experiences for pets and those who love them. Lily brings an extensive marketing background with a unique blend of skills cultivated in the consumer goods industry. Her commitment to excellence and eagerness to stay at the forefront of industry trends drive her to push the boundaries of traditional marketing. With a passion for innovation and a deep understanding of customer behavior, Lily ensures that Better Than Home remains a leader in the pet care industry.
Peter Tanella
Peter Tanella is the Co-Chair of the Mandelbaum Barrett PC Corporate Practice Law Group and a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee. Peter’s practice focuses heavily on representing entrepreneurs, emerging growth companies, and owner-managed businesses. Having worked with many companies throughout his career, Peter brings a depth of legal and business knowledge to his clients, coupling experience with practical and creative advic. Peter has extensive experience in a diverse range of practice areas, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate formations, commercial transactions, corporate governance, commercial real estate, commercial lending, construction law, employment law, healthcare and life sciences, intellectual property and risk management.
Chris Tilson
Chris Tilson, with twenty years of expertise, stands out as a dynamic pet care operator and industry innovator. His journey, rooted in a family legacy of pet care, has seen him spearhead the integration of hospitality revenue management strategies, helping to reshape the industry landscape. Now, as the co-founder of Goose, Chris is pioneering technological advancements, blending his rich practical knowledge with modern solutions. His focus is on elevating pet care services, ensuring operational excellence and superior customer experiences.
Annette Uda
Annette Uda, the visionary president of Aerapy Animal Health, has been at the forefront of indoor air quality since 2008. With an intimate understanding of what it takes to eradicate disease from animal care environments, Annette's deep passion for the industry and unwavering commitment to mitigating disease transmission have driven Aerapy to excel in commercial-grade UVGI air and surface disinfection technology. Her dedication to human and animal health led to patents, design awards, and Emergency Use Authorization during the pandemic, garnering prominent media recognition. As a published writer, and sought-after speaker, she actively contributes to ASHRAE committees, shaping UV technology and air disinfection standards.
Alex Varney
Alex Varney is the Vice President of a prestigious luxury pet resort in Ohio. A distinguished alumna of The Ohio State University with a degree in psychology, Alex is currently pursuing a business degree at Columbus State Community College. Beyond her commitment to pets and her team, Alex is actively engaged in her community as a committee member of Project Life and the Chamber of Commerce. She also serves as a consultant for businesses in the pet care industry and shares her expertise at leadership and pet industry conferences. Alex is dedicated to creating opportunities and empowering individuals to pursue their passions, aiming to expand job prospects in the pet care field and foster growth and success in others.