Western Region

UC-Davis, Western, Washington State, Colorado State, Oregon State

Kendra Lyons

Originally from the west side of the Pacific Northwest, Kendra has attended Washington State University for the last five years--earning her undergraduate degrees in zoology and French, and making it to her second year of vet school without going completely bonkers. Most of her summers were spent researching the evolutionary ecology of snails, but she also went abroad: during one summer, she completed her French degree in Paris, and she spent another summer working on a conservation project in the New Zealand bush.

Kendra is excited to be part of a profession where she has opportunities to try many different things; currently, she is planning specializing in avian and reptile medicine, but she is also interested in emergency medicine and wants to explore the pharmaceutical/pet nutrition industry and its potential for education and international cooperation. Of course, somewhere in there she would also like to own a practice, and see business education become a core part of the veterinary school curriculum.

When not studying for exams (which is never), Kendra likes to rollerblade on the Palouse, kayak, sing Broadway musicals with her friends, and play with snail DNA in her research lab.

E-mail Kendra

North Central Region

Minnesota, Iowa State, Purdue, Wisconsin, Michigan State

Lisa Thompson

Lisa Thompson is a Michigan native currently attending the University of Minnesota Class of 2012. She received her BS in Animal Science from Andrews University in Michigan and spent the time between undergrad and vet school working in the veterinary community. During those years working as a vet assistant, she realized that veterinarians were struggling in the business and management aspects of their clinics. A VBMA leadership role was a natural step in her desire to attain better business skills as well as allowing her to provide learning opportunities for other students. Lisa's interests in medicine lie in small ruminants and small animals, including emergency care. When not in class or studying, she can be found immersed in a good (non-school related) book or enjoying the outdoors!

Email Lisa

South Central Region

Kansas State, Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M

Stephanie Sheen

Stephanie grew up in Wichita Falls, Texas. Although her early career aspirations were newspaper reporting (she earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Boston University), she decided it wasn’t for her. Stephanie is a currently a second-year student at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, with plans to obtain an MBA in addition to her DVM through the school’s dual-degree program. She became interested in the business of veterinary medicine after her work experience proved to her what a valuable asset that knowledge could be.

Stephanie shares her life with her two cats, Gatsby and Camille. She also enjoys playing sports and has, among other things, received a gold medal at a national judo tournament, rowed on a Division I crew team, and played rugby in college for three years. She is excited to contribute to the National VBMA through her participation as a regional leader!

E-mail Stephanie

Northeast Region

Cornell, Tufts, Pennsylvania, Ohio State

Liz Carbone

I am a San Francisco native and a graduate of UC Berkeley. I packed up Dorian Gray the cat, Milo the dog, and Nick the boyfriend, and made the trans-coastal trip to be a part of the Tufts class of 2013. Most of my experience was at a small animal clinic, but I'm at least a little interested in all kinds of veterinary medicine. While working, I realized that I knew next to nothing about business. With VBMA I'm hoping to change that, and also, of course, to meet my future colleagues.

E-mail Liz

Mid-Atlantic Region

North Carolina State, Virginia-Maryland, Tennessee, Georgia

Matthew Turner

Matthew received his undergraduate degrees from SUNY Cobleskill in Agricultural Science and Cornell University in Animal Science. In 2006, he began his veterinary studies at the University of Edinburgh where, after his first year, he intercalated a Master's degree in Equine Science. Matthew transferred into the class of 2011 at North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008 and is a small animal focus. His involvement in the VBMA began after his first VBMA meeting at NCSU and he became enthralled with veterinary business. Through this new-found passion Matthew became the Chair of Marketing & Fundraising for his local chapter before attending the national meeting in 2009. Since then he has done an externship at Priority Veterinary Management Consultants, an internship with Live Oak Bank, attended the AVMA's Veterinary Leadership Experience (GO ZETA CLASS!), and has become the president of NCSU's SVECCS chapter. Matthew's veterinary interests include Internal Medicine and Emergency & Critical Care (one or both of which he is planning to specialize in). In his abundant spare time he enjoys music (especially performing it), working out, traveling, bartending in downtown Raleigh, and spending time with his new friends in North Carolina and he is very excited to be involved with more chapters in the VBMA!

E-mail Matthew

Southern Region

Florida, Louisiana State, Mississippi State, Tuskegee, Auburn

Natalie Renner

Natalie Renner is a second year student originally from Cincinnati, OH. After graduating from high school at Ursuline Academy Natalie moved to Tucson, Arizona where she graduated from the University of Arizona with a BS in veterinary science in 2007, minoring in chemistry. Natalie found her way back to Ohio through acceptance to The Ohio State University, but does plan to move back to the west to practice after graduation. When she has spare time Natalie enjoys reading, hiking, horseback riding and many other outdoor activities. She shares her life with her two dogs, Cooper and Penny.

E-mail Natalie