As we move forward into 2023 and all the new opportunities it will bring, we take a look back at an energetic year for Veterinary Woman and some of the inspirational veterinary women from all sections of the industry who have shared their experiences with us.
Having strong role models helps us to envisage what is possible, brings us confidence that we too can overcome challenges, and motivates us by learning how they have dealt with challenges and achieved successes. Being able to see other people’s examples is one of the key enablers of leadership development.
Here we bring together some of the most memorable interviews and articles from amazing veterinary women who are leading in diverse areas and roles; in practice, specialisms, research, training and veterinary businesses. Read on for a great celebration of passion and talent within our profession!
Jo Woods – Leadership and Development Coach, Founder of Shine Coaching
“Asking for help isn’t because something’s wrong … it’s about getting support to become even better than we are now”
Jo is passionate about helping recently promoted managers become confident leaders through tailor-made leadership coaching and mentoring. In our interview, she brings her 15 years of management and leadership experience to bear as she outlines how new leaders can feel isolated if left unsupported, what effect this can have on teams, and how we can all develop leadership qualities.
Read here: An interview with Jo Woods, Leadership and Development Coach, Founder of Shine Coaching
Jocelyn Birch Baker – Veterinary Surgeon, Practice Owner and Founder of Smooth Operating Vets
“It was obvious that women were already, and would continue to be, the majority of vets available. I needed to mentor and manage a flexible workspace if I wanted great vets”
Jocelyn founded Smooth Operating Vets, an Australia-based organisation working with veterinary business who are struggling to recruit and retain great vets. She provides training programmes, webinars and podcasts encouraging vet practices to adopt and embrace part-time and flexible working. In our interview, she describes supporting practices to change from their traditional work model to a new sustainable, workable model, and how structures can be put in place to ensure women are happy and confident to return to work after maternity leave, whilst coping with the unpredictability of clinical life.
Read here: Flexible working in veterinary practice: is it achievable? An interview with Jocelyn Birch Baker
Elizabeth Berry – BCVA President
“Tapping the potential of teamwork – is always going to reap the best possible results.”
The theme for Elizabeth’s BCVA presidency is teamwork, and in our interview, she discusses how crucial teamwork and building strong relationships with others is for both working and home life. Elizabeth describes how she has tackled prejudice as a female farm vet and how she is proud to be part of a board that has welcomed women in leadership roles, helping to define the profession in years to come.
Read here: Elizabeth Berry, BCVA President, discusses teamwork
Helen Silver-MacMahon – Research and Development Director at VetLed
“How could I expect somebody new in that role to feel and function at their best when they didn’t feel psychologically safe?”
Helen talks through VetLed’s ‘Safe to Speak Up Campaign’, which is all about psychological safety – a climate in which people are comfortable to speak up and share their concerns and mistakes without fear of embarrassment or retribution. A vet nurse of 23 years, Helen became passionate about human factors when mentoring other staff and shares her tips for teams to make positive changes within their organisations.
Read here: Safe To Speak Up – an interview with Helen Silver-MacMahon about psychological safety and human factors
Alison Lee – Pathologist at NationWide Laboratories
“Be friendly and smile and make a small part of someone’s day a nice experience…”
Alison reflects on the milestones in her career pathway to becoming veterinary pathologist – research internships, pathology residency, doctorate and ACVP exams. This respected voice in the veterinary community also fills us in on her passion for teaching and mentoring and her drive to live life to the full and “do as much cool stuff as you can.”
Read here: Alison Lee – The woman behind the microscope
Petra Agthe – Head of Diagnostic Imaging, Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists
“We do not have to feel confident in order to pursue our goals and lead a meaningful life”
Petra is an RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging and EBVS European Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging. She is also a qualified mindfulness practitioner and currently working on an ICF accredited coaching diploma. In our Role Model Profile, she gives us insight into how it is possible to grow on the job and develop into a successful leader even if a leadership role does not seem to come naturally, and how self-compassion and mindfulness are key in developing resilience and finding the balance between work and life.
Read here: Veterinary Woman Role Model – Petra Agthe
Annie Makin – Chief Commercial Officer, Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging, and Georgi Makin – Editor at Phacilitate
“I think you’re much more prepared to take a stand on these things than I’ve ever been…”
Annie started her career in human healthcare before moving into the veterinary sector, and Georgi studied bioveterinary sciences at the RVC and subsequently moved into a career in science communication. Working in similar fields, this dynamic mother and daughter duo discuss their different experiences of working life and workplace equality in our podcast, and explore their individual approaches to the work-life balance and how that differs generationally.
Listen here: Work-life balance: Annie and Georgi Makin discuss generational differences
Imogen Burrows – Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Lingfield Equine Vets, and BEVA Council Member
“Facing my fear of rejection by chucking my name in the ring was the best thing I’ve done. This has really pushed me from my comfort zone into growth and learning zones and it’s such a rewarding experience.”
Imogen describes her role sitting on the BEVA Education Committee and how the opportunities for learning that have underpinned her equine veterinary career have arisen out of starting conversations. She is a fan of reflective learning and reveals the challenge of taking what you need and letting go of the rest. She also shares her top career successes, and the challenges of being a working parent.
Imogen Burrows on making the most of BEVA Congress 2022 and a career in equine practice
Laura Cutforth – RVR and Practice Manager
“We are no longer ‘just a receptionist’ – we are progressive, knowledgeable people making an impact in veterinary!”
In a guest blog, Laura describes her career journey; becoming a RVR and BVRA Council member; and the challenges of leading positive change when not in a position of authority. She shares her journey in gaining confidence, and how coming from a veterinary receptionist background can be a natural progression to becoming a successful, understanding, proactive and sympathetic practice manager.
Read here: More than ‘just a receptionist’: a vision of progressive practice management
Belinda Steffan – Post Doctoral Research Fellow, University of Edinburgh Business School
“Vets are an interesting professional group for a researcher on women’s health to consider… In short, why are women leaving the veterinary professions?”
Belinda discusses her research to better understand the impacts of menopause at work for women in the veterinary profession and shares her aims of providing organisations with better tools to support and retain their female workforce, and helping to inform and empower women to not only cope with menopause at work, but to view it as a time of change, strength and beginning of a vibrant new chapter of working life.
Read here: Vets and Menopause: Empowering women through knowledge
Sieske Valk – Founder and CEO of Autumn Animals
“When we don’t acknowledge the loss of a pet during such times, we lose the chance to deal with old grief or trauma.”
Sieske, a social entrepreneur, ex-veterinary nurse and End of Life Doula for pets talks through the experience of founding a holistic palliative and hospice care organisation for elderly and ill pets, how veterinary teams can make a positive difference to their clients within palliative and geriatric care, and how to reduce the risks of compassion fatigue and maintain staff wellbeing.
Read here: Palliative care and staff well-being: an interview with Sieske Valk
Susan MacKay – Director, Companion Consultancy and Founder of Veterinary Woman
“…have faith in yourself. Sometimes as women it is implied that our decisions are based on emotion rather than logic.”
In our special Role Model Profile, Susan describes her working life and comments “I always tell people I invented my own job so if I didn’t enjoy it, I’d only have myself to blame.” She reflects on the lessons learned in founding her business, the power to endure and come back from a setback, and listening to those niggly feelings based on tacit knowledge.
Read here: Veterinary Woman Role Model – Susan McKay
A huge thank you to all the inspirational veterinary women who have shared their stories, experiences and advice with Veterinary Woman this year.
If you would like to share your story or are interested in writing for Veterinary Woman, please get in touch at info@veterinarywoman.co.uk
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2 responses to “A Year of Inspirational Veterinary Woman”
What an inspirational group of incredible women. Simply awesome!
I would be thrilled to join such an elite group of progressive thinkers and doers
Hi Debbie
We’re delighted to have you with us! If you haven’t already, please take a look at our social media and feel free to join our Veterinary Woman Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/463161975066166 and the Veterinary Women In Leadership Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/699945773924495 to join in the conversation. Also don’t forget to sign up for our monthly newsletter to keep up to date with everything Veterinary Woman.