Women's Veterinary Leadership Development InitiativeIn August 2013, Dr. Karen Bradley and a group of 9 other dedicated visionary leaders in the veterinary profession assembled an advisory board for the WVLDI. It has since evolved into a formal not-for-profit. The WVLDI is committed to encouraging and empowering more women in the veterinary field to succeed and become leaders in their communities and the profession at large. As a founding member and current president of the initiative, Karen has brought women's issues and leadership needs to the veterinary arenas. Through presentations and publications, she is sought out as a leader willing to take on the tough issues and encourage more women veterinarians to lead.
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Who We Are |
The veterinary profession has undergone a great demographic shift over the past 25 years, but the change in leadership hasn't kept pace. Women, now more than half of the profession and rising, need to be better represented in leadership roles if we’re to deliver on the promise of veterinary medicine to society.
WVDLI is dedicated to helping develop those leaders - in organized veterinary medicine, and from practice owners to academia to corporate boards – and to achieve a stronger, more effective and personally rewarding profession. Through social and other media, we've driven this discussion within the profession. Our presentations at major meetings, like this one, have helped veterinarians better understand the problem; our workshops have given participants the tools to apply towards solutions. On campus, we've helped students develop their skills and to appreciate the importance of leadership in their careers. It’s not a job we can tackle alone. We need the support and cooperation of veterinarians across the spectrum – and not just women (although we need you) – who understand that the future of veterinary medicine is tied to the success of the people in the profession. Help us to help you, and help lead our profession into the future. |
Our History |
Founded in 2013 by a dedicated group of veterinary leaders, the WVLDI is a formal not-for-profit and has received generous support from AVMA, Ceva, Banfield, DVM360, Beyond Indigo Pets, the Social DVM, and more. Reaching out to men and women across the profession, we have presented at many major veterinary conferences and provided social events for leaders to network together. Stay tuned--there is more to come!
WVLDI Vision: To develop leaders for the benefit of the profession and to deliver on the promise of veterinary medicine to society. WVLDI Mission: To support women in seeking and achieving leadership, policy, and decision-making positions within all areas of professional veterinary activity. You can learn more about WVLDI by visiting their webpage at www.womenveterinarians.org, or by visiting them on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Instagram. A full calendar of upcoming events is on the WVLDI website. |