What is CATalyst Council?
CATalyst Council, a non-profit entity, was created to connect three distinct groups: Veterinary Medicine, Shelter/Animal Welfare, and related Industry entities such as Foundations and Cat Fanciers, the Media, and commercial companies. By virtue of the open and inclusive structure of the board, these bodies are able to represent a broad range of diverse stakeholders in feline healthcare and welfare. Working together, the Council intends to make a difference in the way the United States experiences and values cats.
Watch our Executive Director, Dr. Jane Brunt, explain what CATalyst does, who we are and how we can help you.
Why we exist:
CATalyst Council 2020-2022 Strategic Framework
Mission Statement:
Catalyst Council accelerates innovation in feline care to enhance quality of life for cats and their people.
Vision Statement:
All companion cats receive lifelong care.
CATalyst Council Values
- Using evidence-based resources for promoting the best health outcomes for all companion cats
- Embracing community-wide relationships to further the well-being of companion cats
- Celebrating the human-feline bond
Who We Are – Leadership
Jane Brunt, DVM, CATalyst Council Executive Director
CATalyst Council Board Members:
- Jon Ayers – Philanthropist, Board Chair of Panthera, a global nonprofit dedicated to conserving the 40 species of wild cats, and former chief executive in the pet health industry for more than two decades.•
- Tina Beardon, DVM – Boehringer-Ingelheim Senior Associate Director, with a Global Assignment in Technical Support for Pet Therapeutics
- Linda Block, CATalyst Council Secretary – Animal Health Industry Consultant, Strategy and Marketing with extensive experience in animal health pharmaceutical marketing
- Martha Cline, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition)– Sr. Manager Veterinary Technical Communications at Nestlé Purina North America, responsible for pet nutrition education globally
- Angela DeRusha – Director, Global Marketing Strategy at IDEXX Laboratories, with significant industry insights on feline health innovation.
- Milena Duran, DVM, MBA – Global Marketing responsibilities at Zoetis Inc., serving company-wide Strategic Area Therapeutic Leadership
- Gina Fortunato, MBA, CATalyst Council Immediate past chair – Head of Business Development and Veterinary Field Services, Independence Pet Group, a private equity group that includes pet insurance
- Adrian Hochstadt, JD, CAE – CEO Veterinary Medical Association Executives and extensive experience in association management, including not-for-profit governance and government relations
- Elizabeth Kabbash – Co-Founder and President at ZED Graphic Communications, a strategy and design agency serving consumer goods and the animal health industry
- Irene Mak – Marketing Director, US Pet Vet Marketing at Boehringer Ingelheim with global assignments and international perspective
- Kira Ramdas, DVM – Past President of the Feline Veterinary Medical Association, bringing extensive knowledge and experience in feline-exclusive medicine.
- Angela Roberts – Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at American Veterinary Medical Association and recipient of the PR News People of the Year Award, Nonprofit PR Innovator
- Elizabeth Schooley, DVM, DACVIM – Board-Certified Veterinary Internist from IDEXX Laboratories with focus on veterinary innovation and strategy, experienced in medical marketing, and dedicated to advancing diagnostic excellence leading to positive outcomes for companion cats
- Craig Wallace, CATalyst Council Secretary – Principal, CS Wallace Investments and Strategy bringing his leadership experience and knowledge of animal health to advance growth in pets and production animals with early- stage companies.
- Anne Ward, DVM, CATalyst Council Chair – Scientific Communications Manager, Royal Canin and US lead for the feline portfolio
- Ernie Ward, DVM – Founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, Chief Veterinary Officer, Vertical Vet, and a leading advocate for feline health and wellness.
- Kristin Wuhrman, CATalyst Council Vice Chair – Feline thought leader, Principal Consultant at Crain, animal health executive and entrepreneur and former COO of Basepaws, a Zoetis company
- Steve Zeidman – Animal Welfare Executive with extensive knowledge of shelter software programs and Managing Partner at BarkPass, a pet licensing platform for pet adoption agencies and dog park management