Matt Booth
Matt Booth is the ATTITUDE EXPERT. Matt is an engaging speaker and author who encourages people to chase their dreams. He is direct, thought-provoking, and inspiring. To achieve Personal Satisfaction and Professional Success, Matt’s philosophy is simple: You Must Be Yourself and Improve Yourself.
Richard Cupp
Richard Cupp is a renowned scholar in torts, products liability, and animals' legal status, serving as a member of the American Law Institute and a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. He has chaired the AALS Section on Torts and Compensation Systems and served on the AALS Section on Animal Law's Executive Committee. With over 30 scholarly articles and a coauthored casebook, his work has been cited over 650 times, including in two U.S. Supreme Court cases. Professor Cupp is also a prominent animal welfare advocate, advising organizations such as the National Academy of Sciences and the American Veterinary Medical Association. His work on animals' legal status has been featured in major media outlets like National Geographic and The Washington Post. At Pepperdine Caruso Law School, he held various administrative roles, including vice dean and associate dean for research, and was editor-in-chief of the UC Davis Law Review during his student years.
Mike Foster
Mike is a top cybersecurity expert with years of experience and a passion for helping organizations protect themselves. Known for simplifying complex topics, he makes cybersecurity easy to grasp for non-technical leaders. Mike specializes in showing leaders how to prevent cyberattacks and is a true AI enthusiast, always at the forefront of the latest tools and technologies. His exciting presentations not only inform but also inspire, offering unique insights on Cybersecurity and AI. Prepare to be amazed by the possibilities!
Julie Lawless
Julie Lawless founded Lawless Strategic Communications in 2022 to provide communications counsel to companies in Animal Health, Nutrition, AgTech, and Food & Beverage. With over two decades of experience in Corporate Communications, she has worked with leading companies like Elanco Animal Health, Mars Petcare, and Nissan, where she helped manage significant events like Elanco's IPO and acquisition by Bayer. At Mars Petcare, she developed expertise in crisis and change management while fostering a deep passion for the Human-Animal Bond. Julie is an advocate for pet-centered causes and serves on several nonprofit boards, earning recognition as a "Woman of Influence" by Pet Age Magazine in 2021. She lives in Fishers, Indiana, with her husband, two children, and two pets.
Connor Lokar
Few economists present their insights with the authority, accuracy, and humor that Connor Lokar brings to the stage. From the intimate executive retreat to trade association keynotes, he delivers with charm and candor, rousing and enlightening all who attend his talks. As a millennial, Connor brings a new perspective to the world of economics, delivering ITR’s industry-leading accuracy to current C-suite executives while forging connections with the next generation of business leaders. Connor specializes in construction but consults and presents to businesses across all industries, helping them grow revenue and remain profitable through an ever-changing business cycle.
Kent D. McClure
Kent D. McClure, DVM, JD. Dr. McClure is an Associate Executive Vice President of the American Veterinary Medical Association and Chief Advocacy Officer, leading the federal and state advocacy teams. He has over 25 years of experience advocating on policy issues important to veterinary medicine and veterinary practice. He is also a trustee on the AVMA trusts, including the AVMA PLIT and LIFE. Prior to AVMA, Dr. McClure was the General Counsel for the Animal Health Institute, the trade association for manufacturers of animal health products. He has practiced law in Dallas, Texas where he represented healthcare providers in malpractice litigation and has practiced veterinary medicine in Arlington and Austin, Texas. His DVM is from Texas A&M University, and his law degree is from the University of Texas.
Mike Rayburn
Mike Rayburn is a two-time TED Talk Presenter, an innovative entrepreneur and Hall of Fame speaker who uses world-class guitar and comedy to teach change and innovation to corporations world-wide. He has headlined Carnegie Hall, headlined in Las Vegas, and performed more than 5,000 presentations in 20 countries on five continents. Rayburn is a regular on Sirius/XM and morning radio nationwide. He has performed as guitarist with The Beach Boys and John Oates. Rayburn’s keynote is called “The What IF? Keynote Experience.” You will learn three simple tools for harnessing your unrealized potential, creating and leading change, and becoming a virtuoso performer. You’ll hear amazing music including a solo guitar version of Bohemian Rhapsody.
Laura Watenpool
Laura Watenpool is the Vice President of Sales at Virbac, where she leads the U.S. Commercial function, overseeing the sales team, key accounts, sales support, and data analytics to drive growth for the Pet Health Organization. She is known for her strong leadership and ability to integrate teams, fostering both internal and external relationships. Prior to joining Virbac, she spent over 14 years at Elanco, where she advanced to Vice President of Omni-Channel Operational Excellence. Laura is also an active board member of WILMAH, supporting career development and advocacy for women in the animal health industry. She holds a Business degree from Dowling University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix, and lives in Indianapolis with her family and dog.
Dr. Jackie Applegate
Dr. Jacqueline (Jackie) Applegate serves as Chief Operating Officer at PBI-Gordon Companies based in Shawnee, Kansas. PBI-Gordon Companies has been in business since 1947 and is 100 percent employee-owned. Jackie leads PBI-Gordon’s three subsidiaries which develop, manufacture, and market leading products for PBI-Gordon Corporation - Turf and Ornamental Industries, Pegasus Laboratories – Companion Animal Pharmaceuticals, and PetAg – Consumer Nutritional Products/Supplements and Grooming Supplies for Companion Animals.
Jackie retired from Bayer after 32 years of service in the global agricultural industry. Jackie’s career began in 1992, and since, she has held leadership positions worldwide. Most recently, Jackie served on Bayer’s Global Crop Science Executive Committee and as President of North American Crop Science. She ran Global Vegetable Seeds and Environmental Science (ES) while acting as the global Culture and Change Management Lead for the Bayer/Monsanto integration. She served as the Senior Bayer Representative (SBR) and CS Country Division CEO for Australia and New Zealand. Her past roles included President of Environmental Science North America, Vice President of Environmental Science Consumer Products, and Head of Global Project Management. Jackie holds a PhD in organic chemistry from Iowa State University and an executive MBA from Rockhurst College. She serves on the National 4-H Trustee Board, FFA Ventures LLC Board, and the International Vector Control Consortium Board of Trustees.
Dr. Sandra Siegel
Dr. Sandra Siegel is the Vice President of Marketing at AmerisourceBergen's MWI Animal Health, with a strong background in both veterinary medicine and animal health marketing. She has worked at Elanco Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Banfield, focusing on global marketing, brand management, and launching innovative products. Her clinical experience includes roles in emergency and general veterinary practice, as well as hospital management. Dr. Siegel holds a veterinary degree from North Carolina State University, a PhD in Cell Biology & Neuroscience, and a Marketing Certificate from Harvard University Extension School.
