Melissa Mitchner is Founder and CEO of The Bark Shoppe, a premier pet care company based in New York. The Bark Shoppe's flagship location and mobile grooming services build a strong sense of community with groomers, pet owners, and their pets. As an advocate for alternative education, Melissa created The New York Institute of Pet Grooming. Her mission is to provide high quality in-person and digital education and certification programs for those who aspire to join and thrive in the pet grooming industry.
Melissa has over a decade of leadership experience in supply chain management, making her a relatable and knowledgeable leader and educator in any setting. She loves what she does and is committed to bringing much needed diversity and inclusion to the pet care industry. She believes that technology, better working practices, and innovative business models make the world a great place, and she is excited about the future of the pet grooming industry.
Toriano Sanzone is the founder of DOT DOG Consulting a firm that manages Business Development, Sales and Marketing for varios Pet Companies (Everything Pet, Calmr Dog and Wolfkeeper University) Toriano is also a Director for Black Pet Business Network a Non Profit who’s mission is to make the Pet Industry more inclusive of African American Pet Companies. Mr. Sanzone also owns a Dog Training Facility in Chicago and New Orleans and is Third Generation Dog Trainer. DOT DOG is also working on the Future of Dog Training and Ai Tecnology. Mr. Sanzone is also Co-Owner of a Global Pet Transportation Company called Pawsitively Precious Cargo.
Toriano Sanzone is a Graduate of
Gustavus Adolphus is based in St. Peter, originally from Minnesota, where he received his Bachelors Degree in Speech Communicstion-Marketing and is currently based in New Orleans, where he dedicates his free time to music production.
Co-founder and CEO of hiPets, a startup dedicated to bridging the supply-demand gap in veterinary care. hiPets is a SaaS scheduling system for veterinary clinics that features an inbuilt AI pet diagnostic tool, enhancing clinic capacity by 15% - same hands, same time, less stress. A serial entrepreneur and certified business trainer, she holds a PhD in Microelectronics and an MBA in Business Psychology. Dorota brings 24 years of expertise in sales and management from global firms, with a successful track record of managing culturally diverse teams across five continents.
Dr. Jennifer Sperry is a companion animal veterinarian and the Veterinary Advisor for Independence Pet Group™. She assists the company by providing scientific insights and medical updates; and by sharing the perspectives and experiences of veterinary professionals in the trenches.
Dr. Sperry was attracted to her current role because she recognized an urgent need to spread awareness about financial tools that allow people to access vital but costly veterinary care. As a veterinarian practicing in general and emergency medicine for more than a decade, she has a unique understanding of the needs of pets and their people. She witnessed first-hand how difficult it can be for pet owners to both predict and overcome the cost of quality veterinary care. She also experienced how difficult it can be for veterinary team members to share the emotional burden that occurs when financial limitations adversely impact the wellbeing of pets and their owners.
Since joining the team in 2020, Dr. Sperry has shared her medical experience for internal and external educational events, claims and underwriting process improvements, and even accessible policy wording.
Gina Fortunato is a seasoned sales executive and leader with over 12 years of experience in the animal health industry. She is currently spearheading Veterinary Services and New Business Development at Independence Pet Group, focusing on increasing insured pets across North America. Gina is passionate about coaching and developing others to achieve their full potential, as well as fostering networking and cross-collaboration within the industry.
Gina holds a Master of Business Administration from Baldwin Wallace College and has enriched her leadership acumen through programs at the Wharton School of Business.
Professional Affiliations and Contributions: Gina plays an active role in shaping the pet industry. She currently serves as the Chair of CATalyst Council and has held leadership positions such as Past President of VetPartners and immediate Past President of Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary. Her ongoing commitment to these organizations reflects her dedication to improving animal welfare and healthcare access.
Personal Passion and Advocacy: With a personal menagerie including 2 horses, three indoor cats, and 2 insured barn cats, Gina has firsthand experience of the benefits of pet insurance. She is deeply committed to helping pet owners access essential care for their beloved animals.
Outside Interests: In her leisure time, Gina thrives on competition both locally and internationally in the sport of dragon boating, showcasing her dedication to teamwork and achievement beyond the professional realm.
Owen is the CEO of Meatly, a leading cultivated meat company. From a single sample of cells, they can create an infinite amount of meat forever without growing an animal. Their process uses ~80% less water, 90% less land, and 60% fewer GHGs than traditional agriculture. Start two years ago Meatly has dramatically reduced costs and aims to sell product this year. Owen is a serial entrepreneur who previously scaled an insect protein company.
Robert is a successful entrepreneur with a track record of creating value from customer data.
Robert is the co-owner and CEO of identicare, the UK’s largest pet microchip registration and pet protection services provider. Identi offers recurring-revenue subscription services to over 4 Million pet owners. In Feb 2024 Robert bought out his joint venture partner (Animalcare PLC) with backing from Bridgepoint Group, one of the UK’s leading private asset investors, in a transaction valued at £30 Million.
At the same time Robert continues to oversee Fernbrook Partners, a private portfolio covering early-stage technology and lifestyle investments and commercial property acquisition, development and leasing.
From 2011 - 2017 Robert helped the acquisition, turnaround and successful sale of RAC, the world’s oldest motoring organisation. In his executive role as Managing Director Motoring Services, he oversaw the data assets of RAC’s 8.2 Million members and also ran six data / digital businesses. He was actively involved in the post-acquisition integration of RAC by Carlyle Private Equity and subsequent exit to GIC Singapore in 2014 and CVC Partners in 2015.
Prior to this, in 2001 Robert founded what became emnos - the leading provider of ‘customer centric’ services and decision-support tools. Clients included top retailers (Target, Walgreens, Morrisons, Waitrose, Boots, Co-operative Group) and their FMCG suppliers. The business was sold to Palamon Private Equity in 2007 and sold on to American Express in 2011.
Robert spent the previous 13 years in marketing and sales roles in the consumer and retail industries.
Robert is an elected member and former board director of the Young Presidents Organisation and regular media contributor (and TED talker) on the use of customer data. He lives in the UK with his wife and four children.
