Missed the live event? Watch the Veterinary Business Institute’s Annual Summit Replay and gain exclusive access to expert insights and strategies designed to help veterinary professionals thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.
This transformative virtual summit brings together industry thought leaders and pioneers, covering essential topics from marketing and financial planning to strategic decision-making and innovation in veterinary medicine.
What You’ll Learn:
Key Takeaways:
Key Takeaways:
Key Takeaways:
Key Takeaways:
Join an engaging discussion where industry experts answer your most pressing questions about practice growth, leadership, and the future of veterinary medicine.
This exclusive summit replay is perfect for:
Principal and Founder, Fit Money CPA
Michelle is the Principal and Founder of Fit Money CPA, where she passionately guides business owners through the financial, strategic, and organizational frameworks essential to building a thriving business. Her goal is to provide clients with the insights and tools to operate with confidence and achieve remarkable growth.
With a CPA designation and a Master’s in Taxation from the University of Denver, Michelle specializes in delivering impactful tax solutions, including significant tax savings through thorough research and adept negotiation. Her expertise has enabled clients to optimize their business structures, from corporate buy-outs and pay scale restructuring to selecting the most advantageous business entity—each step aligning business activities more closely with the owner’s values and vision.
Michelle brings extensive experience in public accounting and tax from her time with Deloitte and Touche, as well as Cotton and Allen, before founding Fit Money CPA in 2008. A native of Louisville, she remains an active community volunteer and is a proud member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Kentucky Society of CPAs.
Outside of her professional life, Michelle enjoys cycling, cooking, and spending time with her cats.
Key Expertise:
Founder & CEO, VetSpark Business Consulting
Dr. Christie Cornelius, a seasoned veterinarian with a robust entrepreneurial spirit, brings a unique combination of clinical expertise, business acumen, and innovative thinking to the veterinary industry. Her journey began with a dedication to delivering high-quality care to pets and their families, eventually leading her to specialize in palliative care and in-home pet euthanasia—a practice that has been warmly embraced by the communities she serves.
Dr. Cornelius holds an Executive MBA from Rice University, where she honed her strategic leadership and business management skills, equipping her to adeptly navigate the complexities of the veterinary business landscape and drive meaningful change in the industry. Her commitment to innovation is reflected in her exploration of Generative AI and its transformative potential in veterinary practice, with a focus on improving operational efficiency, enhancing patient care, and creating seamless experiences for both clients and veterinary professionals.
Throughout her career, Dr. Cornelius has consistently bridged the gap between cutting-edge technology and practical application in veterinary care. As an entrepreneur, she has founded and managed successful businesses that prioritize client-centric services and uphold the highest standards of veterinary excellence. Currently, she is exploring opportunities to leverage her skills and vision in a CEO role within the veterinary industry, with a goal to lead with empathy, inspire innovation, and drive growth while maintaining a steadfast commitment to animal welfare.
Key Areas of Expertise:
Chief Veterinary Officer, Hound
Founder, Relief Rover | Co-founder & Chief Innovation Officer, KickIt Pajamas
Cindy Trice is a dynamic leader, entrepreneur, and multi-state licensed relief veterinarian with over two decades of experience across general practice, emergency, mobile, and shelter clinics. She is the Chief Veterinary Officer at Hound, a role she assumed following Hound’s acquisition of her company, Relief Rover, in 2023. Relief Rover, which Cindy founded in 2018, is an innovative platform that connects relief veterinarians and technicians with job opportunities and essential resources.
As a serial entrepreneur, Cindy co-founded KickIt Pajamas in 2019, a clothing company inspired by her personal journey with advanced cervical cancer. KickIt Pajamas designs functional, stylish sleepwear and apparel for women battling cancer or managing chronic illnesses, offering comfort and dignity during their healthcare journeys.
Cindy is a passionate advocate for the veterinary community and cancer patients, serving on the board of the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) and acting as a Cervivor Ambassador.
When she’s not working or volunteering, Cindy resides in Bradenton, Florida, with her husband and their three spirited, long-and-low dogs. She enjoys cooking, writing rap lyrics for hamsters (a quirky favorite hobby), and planning her next travel adventure.
Key Skills
Sales Strategy & Operations Specialist | Veterinary Marketing ConsultantDirector of Sales, Ekwa Marketing
Shelley Shultz is a forward-thinking leader in sales strategy and digital marketing, with over 15 years of experience driving growth and innovation for businesses across diverse industries. Currently the Director of Sales at Ekwa Marketing, Shelley specializes in crafting and executing data-driven digital marketing strategies tailored to the unique needs of veterinary practices.
Shelley’s expertise spans the full spectrum of digital marketing, including:
Beyond her digital marketing expertise, Shelley has held leadership roles at Checkfront and ClearDent, where she implemented innovative sales enablement strategies, optimized operational workflows, and developed high-performing teams. Her ability to seamlessly integrate sales and marketing efforts ensures her clients achieve measurable results.
Core Competencies:
Shelley’s approach is rooted in understanding client goals and aligning them with the latest digital marketing tools and techniques. By combining creativity, technical know-how, and strategic insights, she helps veterinary practices thrive in an increasingly competitive market.
Webinar Moderator
Co-host, Veterinary Business Podcast
As an influential leader, Michael looks for opportunities to add value to people. He believes everybody has untapped potential, and most of us have a desire to unlock and engage this potential as we experience the adventure of life and achieve the success that matters.
Part of that success for Michael looks like empowering leaders to lead themselves and others and helping them achieve prosperity in every area of life that they can’t wait to give away to others!
Michael is a recognized Leadership and Business Advisory Coach within an exceptionally diverse range of businesses and organizational sectors.
He is also a professional mediator and facilitator. In addition, he also holds the following qualifications and designations: Qualified (Q.MED) mediator with the ADR Institute of Canada.
Top Skills: