PrideVMC Mission and Purpose
The mission of PrideVMC is to create a better world for the LGBTQ+ veterinary community. The purpose of our annual report is to inform our membership of progress against our strategic pillars and priorities.
PrideVMC Vision
An empowered LGBTQ+ veterinary community embraced by society as their authentic selves.
Strategic Pillars (SP)
SP 1: Education and advocacy for LGBTQ+ diversity, equity, and inclusion through the lens of antiracism and intersectionality. SP 2: Student empowerment through leadership development and mentorship. SP 3: Member recruitment, engagement, and outreach. SP 4: Strategic partnerships.
2024 Executive Summary
- PrideVMC hosted or participated in 35 educational events in 2024
- In addition to VMX, WVC, and AVMA Convention in 2024, PrideVMC also had a presence at AASV, AABP, VHMA, IVECCS, and the Rose City Veterinary Conference
- PrideSVMC is our student-led arm with chapters at 20+ veterinary schools
- PrideSVMC had a strong presence and hosted multiple events at the SAVMA Symposium in Knoxville
- 2024 PrideVMC Leadership Award Recipient – Dr. Jesse Navatta
- Social media metrics:
- Instagram – 5750 followers
- Facebook public page – over 3000 followers and a 5.0 (out of 5.0) rating
- LinkedIn profile page – 1765 followers
- LinkedIn company page – 1380 followers
- 1412 individual GIBOR signatories and 295 organizational signatories including AVMA, NAVTA, RVTTC/TTVAC, WSAVA, BSAVA, AAVMC, VMAE, AAVSB, ANZCVS, and 13 veterinary schools
- We collaborate with the Veterinary Hope Foundation to amplify their LGBTQ+ Support Groups
- Continued our support for Pawsibilities Vet Med, APVMA, and BAAITS
- Final sections of the Gender Diversity Guide completed in Q1 2024
- PrideVMC meets quarterly with the other vet med affinity organizations (LatinxVMA, MCVMA, et al) and umbrella orgs (eg AVMA, NAVTA, VMAE, et al)
- Critical resources created and distributed including:
- 500+ active individual members
- 15 fabulous board members
- 5 active working groups – Advocacy, Education, Member Support, Student Support, and Strategic Partnerships
2024 Year-Round Partners
Titanium Partner – Mars Veterinary Health (Banfield, BluePearl, VCA)
Diamond Partners – Boehringer Ingelheim, Zoetis
Gold Partners – Covetrus, Ethos Veterinary Health, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Merck Animal Health, NVA, Nationwide Pet Insurance, Nestlé Purina, Simply Done Tech Solutions, VEG
Emerald Partners – Heartland Veterinary Partners, Hound, MedVet, Petco, Rarebreed Veterinary Partners, Roo, The Social DVM, Western Veterinary Partners
2024 PrideVMC Board of Directors
- President Dr. Omar Farías (he, him, his)
- Immediate Past-President Dr. Abby McElroy (she, her, hers)
- President-Elect Ms. Erin Spencer, M.ED, CVT, VTS(ECC) (she, her, hers)
- Treasurer Dr. Rachel Dufour (she, her, hers)
- Information Officer Dr. Ashlea Tenorio (she, they)
- Industry Liaison Dr. Ewan Wolff (they, them, theirs)
- Student Liaison Ms. Lauren Salsburg (she, her, hers)
- PrideSVMC Advisor Dr. Mo Miller (they, them, theirs)
- Director-at-large Dr. Bonnie Price (she, they)
- Director-at-large Dr. Deborah Kochevar (she, her, hers)
- Director-at-large Dr. Dane Whitaker (he, him, his)
- Director-at-large Emmett Brizendine (he, him, his)
- Director-at-large Dr. Jesse Navatta (they, them, theirs)
- Director-at-large Dr. Paige Carmichael (she, her, hers)
- CEO Dr. Mia Cary (she, her, hers)
2024-2025 PrideSVMC Executive Board
- President Sergio Acuna Gutierrez (he, him, his)
- Past-President Javier Funes (he, him, his)
- Co VP/President-Elect Javelis Marin Castro (she, her, hers)
- Co VP/President-Elect Hailey Jennings (she, her, hers)
- PrideVMC Student Liaison Lauren Salsburg (she, her, hers)
- Info Officer/PR Finn Ware (he, him, his)
- Treasurer Sydney Paris (she, her, hers)
- Events Coordinator Chelsea Berkowitz (she, her, hers)
- Chapter Co-Coordinator Ally Eaton (they, them)
- Chapter Co-Coordinator Logan DeSchepper (he, him, his)
2024 PrideVMC Staff
- CEO Dr. Mia Cary (she, her, hers)
- Tactical Specialist (aka rock star) Ms. Annie Trout (she, her, hers)
Thank you to our Members, Partners, and Volunteer Leaders!