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.
Dr. Jane Brunt explains what CATalyst does, who we are
and how we can help you. Watch below.
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
Gina Fortunato, MBA, CATalyst Council Executive Director
Jane Brunt, DVM, CATalyst Council Sr. Advisor
CATalyst Council Board Members:
- Jon Ayers, CATalyst Council Secretary – 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 Treasurer – 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
- Heather Davis, DVM, PhD, DACVS-LA – Director of Clinical Affairs and Veterinary Services at PRN Pharmacal, leading both clinical and non-clinical studies
- Tracey Deiss, DVM – Sr. Medical Lead at Zoetis, specializing in feline pain and anxiety
- 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
- David Gosche, DVM – Executive Director US Pet Health Medical Affairs at Elanco, bringing extensive clinical, academic and industry experience
- Adrian Hochstadt, JD, CAE, CATalyst Council Vice Chair – CEO Veterinary Medical Association Executives and extensive experience in association management, including not-for-profit governance and government relations
- Kendall Houlihan, DVM – Associate Director, Animal Welfare Division at AVMA with interests in shelter medicine and the human-animal bond
- Elizabeth Kabbash – Co-Founder and President at ZED Graphic Communications, a strategy and design agency serving consumer goods and the animal health industry
- Emily Lubitz – Sr. Associate Director, Pets Marketing at Boehringer-Ingelheim leading multi-channel planning and execution for US prescription parasiticides
- Kira Ramdas, DVM – Past President of the Feline Veterinary Medical Association, bringing extensive knowledge and experience in feline-exclusive medicine.
- 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
- Anne Ward, DVM, CATalyst Council Immediate Past 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.
- Steve Weinrauch, DVM – Chief Product & Veterinary Officer at Trupanion, Founder of MightyVet and Co-Founder of 2nd Chance Rescue with published research in numerous peer-reviewed journals
- Kristin Wuhrman, CATalyst Council 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