Insights Discovery – Sponsored by Elanco

Insights Discovery is a simple and accessible four-color model that helps us understand ourselves and others. Every person has all four-color energies with them; it is the combination of these energies which creates each unique personality. Our color energies refer to a set of characteristics that tend to be our most preferred or most natural way to be. Sponsored by Elanco

Note: This session runs 10 am – 12:30 pm PT/1 pm – 3:30 pm ET. The first half hour will be devoted to getting to know each other.

Heidi Hulon DVM, CCFP, CCCP, MHFA

Dr. Hulon is the Wellbeing Consulting Veterinarian for Elanco Animal Health. A native of Alabama, Dr. Hulon graduated from Auburn University with both her undergraduate degree and D.V.M. She has Certifications in Insights Discovery, Compassion Fatigue, Positive Psychology, Mental Health First Aid, QPR Suicide Training, Fear Free, the Human Animal Bond. Dr. Hulon is very involved in organized veterinary medicine. She’s a past president of the Kentucky VMA and currently serves on the Alabama VMA Wellbeing, Membership and Constitution/Bylaws committees.

Unveiling the Invisible: Navigating Unconscious Bias

This will be an interactive session designed to enlighten participants about the subtle yet pervasive nature of unconscious biases in daily interactions and decision-making processes. Participants will engage in guided self-reflection through questionnaires, partake in intimate discussions and examine the unique impact of biases through tailored case studies. The session will conclude with actionable strategies for mitigating bias, encouraging participants to commit to personal or professional actions that promote inclusivity and awareness.

Latonia Craig, EdD, MA, MEd

Dr. Latonia Craig is a prominent leader and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the veterinary field. She is the inaugural Chief, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the leading professional organization in the veterinary field. In this role, she leads the development and implementation of strategic initiatives to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the veterinary community, nationally and internationally. In her previous role, Dr. Craig served as the Assistant Dean for Inclusive Excellence in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University where she led the nationally recognized program, Vet Up! helping to prepare over 113 underrepresented students all over the nation for veterinary school.

Dr. Craig currently leads the nationally recognized program Journey for Teams – a flagship diversity, equity, and inclusion program offering a pathway for veterinary professionals to enhance their skills in diversity, equity, and inclusion through micro-learning modules. The program has garnered over 18,000 users all over the world.

In addition to her professional achievements, Dr. Craig has been featured on the cover of Today’s Woman magazine, and in 2016, she was selected as a “Top Forty Under 40” professional in the Louisville Business First magazine. Dr. Craig has received two (2) national “Innovative Programs in STEM” awards from Insight Into Diversity magazine.  She holds a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP) certificate and an Insight Discovery Practitioner (IDP) license.  Dr. Craig earned a bachelor’s degree in political science, a master’s degree in Pan-African studies from the University of Louisville, a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Cincinnati, and a doctorate in leadership education from Spalding University

Leadership Essentials for Veterinary Medical Association Staff

Great leadership creates great workplaces. Everyone is a leader in the workplace. What kind of an impact are you making? One framework to improve leadership is through the domains of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and empathy, and relationship management. Within these four domains are 12 specific skills that can be learned to increase your knowledge and proficiency in leadership. Additional skills that are essential for leadership success include: giving and receiving feedback, asking the right questions, and developing a leadership mindset.

Michelle Harcha, DVM, MA, BCC, ACC

Dr. Michelle Harcha founded LeadYourShip, LLC to share her passion and knowledge of communication and leadership skills. Her 35-year career in the veterinary profession included 10 years leading and expanding the professional development curriculum and communications training for veterinary students at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Throughout her career, she has continued her education in communications, leadership training, and emotional intelligence through specialized workshops, certifications, and graduate study.

With LeadYourShip, LLC, Michelle leads small groups through half-day or full-day workshops designed for their specific challenges to create opportunities for growth. She presents assessment tools to help professionals achieve a new level of personal understanding, which enhances their abilities to communicate with others. Professionals who complete her workshops demonstrate improved communication skills that help them create a more positive work environment for all employees, which, in turn, translates to a better experience for clients and patients.

Her passion for communication training began with her entry into professional veterinary practice. While working as an emergency veterinarian, she earned her first certification in Everything DiSC®. She experienced a personal transformation through using tools to communicate more effectively with clients, colleagues, and staff in an often stressful environment.

Member Magic: Mastering Communication with Members

Get ready to sprinkle some magic into your association management toolkit! Effective communication isn’t just a skill—it’s the secret ingredient to success, and “Member Magic” is here to help you master it.

Join us for a lively session where we’ll dive into the wonderful world of communication with association members. From phone conversations to writing emails to the opportunities for face-to-face interactions, we’ll explore it all and show you how to work your magic across every medium.

We’ll equip you with all the tricks you need to handle tricky situations with finesse. Say goodbye to frowns and hello to smiles as you learn how to turn upset members into your biggest fans.

Managing expectations doesn’t have to be a balancing act. We’ll share practical tips and real-world examples to help you keep things crystal clear and ensure everyone’s on the same page. We’ll also unveil the secrets to going from friendly to downright helpful. Get ready to leave a lasting impression that’ll have your members singing your praises.

Let’s elevate your skills, deepen those relationships, and embark on a journey toward communication excellence together!

Terra Shastri

Terra provides career coaching to veterinarians and conducts vital economic research for hospitals across North America. With a degree in Communication Studies/Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and an MBA, Management Essentials from Schulich School of Business, Terra is well-equipped to lead. She’s a seasoned contributor to veterinary publications, sharing her expertise in client experience, communication, marketing, management, and compliance. As the Chief Experience Officer at the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, Terra oversees special projects that drive the profession forward.

Beyond her academic achievements, Terra holds certificates in Leadership Excellence and Quality Service Excellence from the Walt Disney Institute. She’s also certified in Carbon Literacy and Conscious Inclusion, showcasing her commitment to sustainability and inclusivity. Terra’s passion for the profession and innovation shines through in her creation of the JumpStart Boot Camp workshop for veterinary teams, a testament to her dedication to shaping the future of veterinary practice.

Stress Better: Developing Skills to Meet the Moment and Support Sustainable Wellness

This session is about reframing and having a growth mindset around ‘stress’ and ‘stressors’ while learning about how to more skillfully navigate and complete the emotion and stress cycles that may occur with life challenges.

The Transformative Power of Intentional Communication and Active Listening

This session is about the opportunity to build trust and partnership with our colleagues, VMA members, and volunteers within your organization through effective, relationship-building communication techniques. Fostering a culture of decision-making partnership and building rapport with those that we work with and support enhances professional satisfaction and holistic wellness.

Sonja A Olson, DVM, C-MMT, CFE

Dr. Sonja Olson grew up with her human and animal family members mostly in Maryland, USA. She graduated from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine with a focus on exotic animal and conservation medicine. Her professional path led to over 25 years of practicing clinical small animal and exotic emergency medicine in both private and corporate practice environments in Virginia and in Florida. The myriad of opportunities to teach, mentor, and lead during these years were deeply fulfilling and inspirational. Through these personal and professional experiences, there developed an increased awareness of the far-reaching need for veterinary well-being awareness and healthy coping strategies. This combination fostered Sonja’s passion to better understand and increasingly support, the holistic health of the veterinary caregivers.

Currently based out of Vancouver, WA, Dr. Olson’s full-time role currently is Veterinary Wellness Educator for her own business, Heartstorming Wellness LLC. This role supports veterinary associates’ flourishing and healthy culture creation for veterinary practice environments. Through podcasts, writing, speaking, coaching, & collaborating with other like-minded, veterinary well-being allies in problem-solving and strategy development, she is powerfully advocating and contributing to holistic wellness for veterinary caregivers globally.

Dr. Olson founded her wellness platform, Heartstorming Wellness, in 2022 to support these well-being endeavors. Her recently published book, Creating Well-being and Building Resilience in the Veterinary Profession: A Call to Life, was released in March 2022 through Routledge Publishers.

Looking Forward®: The Issues Impacting Associations

Association Laboratory has been surveying the association landscape for the last 13 years, looking at the issues impacting associations’ members and what associations are doing about it. We will discuss two big issues that stood out in the 2024 Looking Forward Impact data—competition is coming from new places, which changes the way your members view your value proposition, and the changing nature of veterinary practice means that your members are not necessarily the one driving membership and purchasing decisions. Let’s work to create solutions to those issues.

Nikki Golden, CAE

Nikki is a strategist with Association Laboratory, which helps associations make research-based business decisions—on everything from membership to strategic planning to educational programming/certification—using state-of-the-art research.

Nikki built her association career working in both marketing and membership, with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and the National Roofing Contractors Association. She honed her leadership and governance skills as executive director of the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery.

Nikki has been recognized for her work in the association world, making the inaugural list of Association Forum of Chicagoland/USAE Forty Under 40 list. Nikki currently serves on the Board Association Forum of Chicagoland and is an active member of ASAE, earning her Certified Association Executive designation in 2013.