Leadership.
ACVM’s Board of Directors brings together veterinarians and leaders whose experience spans general and specialty practice, academia, community care, industry, mentorship, and nonprofit leadership.
Collectively, they have led organizations, taught within and beyond veterinary schools, and supported learning, team growth, and accessible care across diverse, real-world contexts.
Their backgrounds include advanced training at the MSc, MBA, DVSc, and PhD levels, alongside extensive clinical, educational, and leadership experience. Together, their perspectives are informed by decades of real-world veterinary practice and a shared commitment to strengthening communication as a core skill in everyday care.
This blend of scholarship, leadership, and frontline experience supports ACVM’s work to make communication practical, accessible, and meaningful for every member of the veterinary team.
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![Headshot of a white woman wearing a blue strapless top, smiling warmly at the camera]()
Dr. Colleen Best
DVM, PhD, CCFP
Founder, Executive Lead,
Director
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![Headshot of a red, curly haired woman wearing a grey suit jacket, black top, and turquoise rimmed glasses]()
Dr. Melanie Barham
DVM, MBA, PMP
Founding Board Member,
Director
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![Headshot of a white woman with red shoulder length hair wearing a black shirt and dangling earrings, and a thin silver necklace]()
Dr. Christy Leslie
DVM, MBA
Founding Board Member, Director
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![A headshot of a white woman with blond hair standing in front of a tree, wearing a blue shirt]()
Dr. Lena Levison
DVM, MSc
Founding Board Member, Director
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![a red haired woman, hair pulled back from her face wearing a pink plaid t-shirt, laying on a carpeted floor, mostly her face visible with three dogs next to her - a black dog, a beige dog and an Australian shepherd type dog]()
Dr. Sara Ritzie
BScH, DVM, DVSc Candidate
Founding Board Member, Director
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![A blond woman wearing black rimmed glasses, wearing a suit jacket over a turquoise shirt]()
Dr. Beth Neuman
DVM
Founding Board Member, Director
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![Casual headshot of a white woman, standing in front of a tree and fence, wearing a blue shirt, smiling at the camera, she has blond hair]()
Dr. Katie Walsh
DVM, MBA Candidate
Founding Board Member,
Director
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![A headshot of an Asian woman with long black hair, smiling warmly at the camera, wearing a black shirt]()
Dr. Christina Tran
DVM
Board Member, Director
