14 Feb CATalyst Council Announces 2025 Board of Directors, Welcomes New Members
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jane Brunt, DVM
jane.brunt@catalystcouncil.org
CATalyst Council, Inc.
Annapolis, February 14, 2025 – CATalyst Council, the national coalition accelerating innovation in feline care to enhance quality of life for cats and their people, proudly announces its 2025 Board of Directors, including new appointments of several esteemed veterinary professionals and industry leaders.
Joining the Board for 2025 are:
- 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.
- Angela DeRusha – Director, Global Marketing Strategy at IDEXX Laboratories, with significant industry insights on feline health innovation.
- 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
- Claire Walther, DVM – Feline Pain Marketing Director at Zoetis, contributing her expertise in feline medicine and preventive care.
- 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.
These distinguished professionals join CATalyst Council’s returning Board members:
- 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
- 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
- Chris Ragland – CEO, Animalytix LLC, bringing business intelligence applications, strategy development and execution to the animal health industry
- 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
- 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
- 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
“We are thrilled to welcome these outstanding leaders to the CATalyst Council Board,” said Jane Brunt, DVM, Executive Director. “Each of them brings significant business and/or medical experience, as well as a passion for companion cat health, furthering our mission to enhance the quality of life for cats and their people. Their diverse expertises will be instrumental in shaping the future of companion cats and their advocacy.”
The CATalyst Council is committed to strengthening partnerships between veterinary professionals, industry leaders, shelter organizations, and cat caregivers to promote the well-being of cats. The 2025 Board will continue to drive initiatives that enhance lifelong feline veterinary care, including the CATalyst Report, State of the Cat 2025, and advance the knowledge and awareness of veterinarians and pet owners about the unique needs of cats.
For more information about CATalyst Council and its initiatives, please visit https://catalystcouncil.org
About CATalyst Council:
CATalyst Council is a national organization dedicated to accelerating innovation in feline care and enhancing quality of life for cats and their people. CATalyst Council’s vision is to ensure all companion cats receive lifelong care by using evidence-based resources, embracing community-wide relationships for optimal health outcomes, and celebrating the human-feline bond.