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Feather in Her Cap Association Announces 2026 Award Winners for Outstanding Achievements in the Animal Health Industry

Beatrice Vos, Celine Halioua, Laura Gustafson, and Fabian Kausche recognized for leadership, innovation and mentorship in Animal Health

ORLANDO, Fla. (January 20, 2026) – The Feather in Her Cap Association, Inc., recognized leaders advancing the Animal Health industry at the ninth annual Feather in Her Cap Awards ceremony. The 2026 honorees include Beatrice Vos, managing partner of Stonehaven Transactions AG and recipient of the Feather in Her Cap Award; Celine Halioua, founder and CEO of Loyal, honored with the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award; Laura Gustafson, senior director of Consumer Brand Experience, U.S. Pet Health at Elanco Animal Health, recognized with the High Flyer Award; and Fabian Kausche, senior executive advisor and board member, named the inaugural Champion of Women in Animal Health Award recipient.

“The Feather in Her Cap Awards celebrate those who strengthen both the people and their organizations within Animal Health,” said Christine Jenkins, president of the Feather in Her Cap Association. “This year’s recipients reflect the values at the heart of our mission, and the introduction of the Champion of Women in Animal Health Award marks an important evolution by recognizing those who intentionally create opportunity and advance women across the industry.”

2026 Feather in Her Cap Award Winner: Beatrice Vos, LL.M, PhD – Managing Partner, Stonehaven Transactions AG

Beatrice Vos has more than two decades of experience in senior legal, mergers and acquisitions, and business development roles in animal health. As managing partner of Stonehaven Transactions AG, she advises companies, innovators and investors on strategic transactions. Previously, she held senior leadership roles at Elanco Animal Health and Eli Lilly and Company, including vice president and head of Legal International at Elanco, where she supported landmark acquisitions that reshaped the industry.

Vos is widely respected for her commitment to mentoring women and advancing inclusive leadership, emphasizing flexibility, trust and long-term career development.

As part of her recognition, Vos selected The International Network for Aid, Relief and Assistance, INARA, to receive a $5,000 donation supporting medical and mental health care for children affected by human-induced or natural disasters.

2026 Entrepreneurial Spirit Award Winner: Celine Halioua – Founder and CEO, Loyal

Celine Halioua is the founder and CEO of Loyal, a biotechnology company developing prescription medicines intended to support healthy lifespan in dogs. Since founding the company in 2020, she has led its scientific and strategic direction, building a multidisciplinary team of scientists, veterinarians and industry professionals. Under her leadership, Loyal has advanced multiple clinical programs and helped establish a novel regulatory pathway focused on aging-related indications in veterinary medicine.

Halioua emphasizes mentorship and the development of diverse teams, with women represented across scientific, technical and leadership roles within the company.

2026 High Flyer Award Winner: Laura Gustafson, MBA – Senior Director, Consumer Brand Experience, U.S. Pet Health, Elanco Animal Health

Laura Gustafson is a senior marketing and commercial leader at Elanco Animal Health, where she leads integrated consumer, digital commerce and brand experience strategies across the U.S. pet health portfolio. She is recognized for applying data-driven, omnichannel marketing approaches within the regulatory and scientific framework of animal health. Gustafson is also known for her commitment to mentorship, supporting early-career professionals and fostering collaborative, high-performing teams.

2026 Champion of Women in Animal Health Award Winner: Fabian Kausche, MS, DVM – Senior Executive Advisor and Board Member

Fabian Kausche is the inaugural recipient of the Champion of Women in Animal Health Award, which honors individuals who demonstrate sustained commitment to mentoring, sponsoring and advocating for women’s advancement. Over a global career spanning more than three decades, he has held senior executive, advisory and board roles across animal health, consumer health and research organizations.

Colleagues and mentees cite Kausche for consistently advocating for advancement opportunities and fostering inclusive leadership environments grounded in empathy and accountability.

To see the list of nominees and learn more about the organization, visit www.featherinhercap.org. The nomination process will reopen in the final quarter of 2026 to celebrate outstanding women in Animal Health in 2027. Follow the Feather in Her Cap Association on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/feather-in-her-cap-awards.

About the Feather in Her Cap Association, Inc.

The Feather in Her Cap Association, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the achievements of women and those who support them in the Animal Health industry.

Media Contact:
Julie Lawless 
Lawless Strategic Communications 
Julie.Lawless@lawlesscomms.com
+1.615.585.5861

 

Feather In Her Cap Award Nominations Open. Organization Adds New Award to Recognize Animal Health ‘Champions of Women’

Nominations open for four awards, including new recognition honoring advocates of any gender supporting women’s advancement in animal health

ORLANDO, FL, UNITED STATES, September 17, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Feather in Her Cap Association, Inc., announced today that nominations are open for four awards celebrating the achievements and advocacy of women in the Animal Health industry. Recipients will be honored at the Feather in Her Cap annual awards event on Monday, January 19, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Orlando.

This year’s awards include a new honor, the Champion of Women award, which recognizes individuals of any gender who have demonstrated a consistent and measurable record of mentorship, sponsorship, and advocacy for women’s advancement and leadership in the industry. By introducing this inclusive recognition, the Feather in Her Cap Association reaffirms its commitment to building a more equitable and diverse future for animal health.

“Mentorship and sponsorship have the power to transform careers and open doors for the next generation of leaders,” said Jenny Wojteczko, treasurer of Feather in Her Cap. “The Champion of Women award allows us to recognize those who use their influence, time and resources to ensure women’s success in animal health and create lasting impact across our industry.”

Nominations are open until Saturday, Nov. 8:
• The Feather in Her Cap Award – given to a woman with at least 10 years in the Animal Health industry who has made significant contributions to her field and exhibited a commitment to mentoring women in the industry.

• The High Flyer Award – given to a woman with 4-10 years in the Animal Health industry who has achieved at least one major accomplishment and demonstrates a working relationship with a mentor in the industry.

• The Entrepreneurial Spirit Award – recognizes a woman founder, co-founder or CEO of an early-stage company serving the animal health industry. This award aims to celebrate women’s innovative contributions to the field and foster a more inclusive innovation ecosystem.

• The Champion of Women Award – recognizes individuals of any gender who have consistently demonstrated measurable impact in advancing women’s careers within the animal health industry. Nominees should have at least 10 years of mentorship, sponsorship or advocacy experience supporting multiple female professionals. Recipients are recognized as role models for inclusivity, professional excellence and dedication to empowering women, and must exhibit values aligned with Feather in Her Cap’s mission to support and celebrate women in the industry.

The Feather in Her Cap Association Awards began in 2017 to celebrate the accomplishments of women in the Animal Health industry and inspire other women to pursue careers in the field.

For sponsorship opportunities, additional award criteria, nomination details and event registration, please visit featherinhercap.org or contact Jenny Wojteczko at treasurer@featherinhercap.org.

About Feather in Her Cap Association, Inc.
The Feather in Her Cap Association, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the achievements of women in the animal health industry. Follow the association on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/feather-in-her-cap-awards and learn more by visiting the organization’s website at featherinhercap.org.

Julie Lawless
Feather in Her Cap Association, Inc.
+1 615-585-5861
email us here
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Feather in Her Cap Association Announced 2025 Winners For Outstanding Achievements in Animal Health Industry

Laurie Hueneke Martens, Eve Hanks, and Chelsie Estey honored for their leadership, innovation, and impact as mentors in the Animal Health industry

ORLANDO, Fla. (January 29, 2025) – The Feather in Her Cap Association, Inc., alongside over 325 industry leaders, celebrated the remarkable achievements of women in the Animal Health industry at the eighth annual Feather in Her Cap Awards ceremony. This year’s prestigious winners include Laurie Hueneke Martens, associate vice president of Public Policy & Government Relations at Merck Animal Health, for the 2025 Feather in Her Cap Award; Eve Hanks, CEO of MI:RNA Ltd, honored with the newly-added 2025 Entrepreneurial Spirit Award; and Chelsie Estey, vice president of US Pet Care at Parnell, recognized with the 2025 High Flyer Award.

“This year’s winners and nominees represent the best of what the Animal Health industry has to offer: groundbreaking innovators across several disciplines, steadfast industry leadership, and a dedication to mentoring the next generation of female leaders,” said Christine Jenkins, president, Feather in Her Cap Association.
“Laurie, Eve, and Chelsie exemplify what it means to lead with purpose and passion. We are honored to celebrate their achievements.”

2025 Feather in Her Cap Award Winner: Laurie Hueneke Martens, BS, MS
Associate Vice President, Public Policy & Government Relations at Merck Animal Health
Laurie Hueneke Martens has nearly two decades of experience advancing public policy, international trade, and sustainability within Animal Health and Agriculture. Since joining Merck Animal Health a decade ago, Hueneke Martens has built and led the company’s Public Policy and Government Relations function, chairing the Trade Committee at Animal Health Institute (AHI), the Leadership Team at HealthforAnimals and was recently appointed to the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) for Trade in Animals and Animal Products by U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative. She has led her team to remove access barriers to products for customers, enhanced regulatory predictability and transparency, addressed global supply chain barriers and worked with the industry to achieve ‘essential’ designation for Animal Health products during the pandemic. She is passionate about mentoring young women, expanding their horizons, and inspiring future leaders.

As part of her recognition, Hueneke Martens selected two charities to share a $5,000 donation: the Bellevue Iowa FFA chapter and the Jackson County Iowa Humane Society.

  • Nominees for the 2025 Feather in Her Cap Award included:
  • Tara Bidgood, DVM, PhD, DACVCP, CCFP – VP, Head, Petcare Veterinary Professional Services and Medical Affairs at Zoetis
  • Kristin Bloink, PA-C, MPH, DVM, DACVPM – Vice President, Global Regulatory Affairs and
    Pharmacovigilance, Elanco and Chairperson, Elanco Foundation at Elanco
  • Siobhan Marie Averall-Davies, BVetMed – Senior Director, Pharmacovigilance at Elanco
  • Joanne Maki, BS, DVM, MS, PhD – Sr. Veterinarian, Public Health at Boehringer Ingelheim
  • Jill Stohs, BS, DVM – Senior Director, Veterinary Professional Services and Medical Affairs at Dechra
  • Kathy Vannatta, BS, MBA – Senior Vice President, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs at Phibro
  • Maria Elena Vazquez Sandoval – Director of Quality at Ceva
  • Nicole Westfall, MBA – Senior Vice President, Marketing at Zomedica

2025 Entrepreneurial Spirit Award Winner: Eve Hanks, BVM&S CertAVP (EM) PhD MRCVS, CEO, MI:RNA Ltd
As CEO of MI:RNA Ltd, Eve Hanks leads the first company in veterinary medicine focused on microRNA technology using research Eve conducted for her PhD at Scotland’s Rural College, SRUC. Under her leadership, MI:RNA has become a multi-award-winning company bringing innovation to the veterinary diagnostics market by focusing on early disease diagnosis, prognosis and response to treatment using microRNAs (miRNAs) and artificial intelligence (AI). In addition to leading the company from the ground up, including responsibility for strategy, investment and fundraising, Hanks has been recognized with the Impact Award 2024 by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) for mentoring other founders in Animal Health to support the growth of innovation and to encourage diversity and inclusion in entrepreneurship.

Nominees for the 2025 Entrepreneurial Spirit Award included:

  • Celine Halioua, BSc – CEO and Founder of Loyal
  •  Kerryann Kocher, BS – CEO of Vytelle
  • Christina Kelly Lopes, BA, MA – CEO of FidoCure
  • Cara Wells, BS, PhD – CEO of EmGenisys

2025 High Flyer Award Winner: Chelsie Estey, MSc, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)
Vice President US Pet Care, Parnell
Chelsie Estey transitioned from private practice to the Animal Health industry, where she achieved rapid success at Parnell, launching three prescription products in her first year and building the US Pet Care business. With a commitment to mentorship, Estey credits her mentors for shaping her journey and is passionate about supporting the next generation of Animal Health professionals.

Nominees for the 2025 High Flyer Award included:

  • Jennifer Gagner, PhD – Director, Discovery & Tech Futures at IDEXX
  • Laura Griffith, BS – Manager, Innovation Center at Phibro
  • Sarah Kvidera, BS, PhD – Dairy Sustainability Technical Lead at Elanco
  • Alyssa Mags, BS, CVT, FVTE – Co-Founder & Chief Visionary Officer for Empowering Veterinary Teams and Co-Founder & Director of Veterinary Team Strategy for Nutur
  • Chitra Varma, BS – Head of Data Platforms at Zoetis

In Memoriam
In addition to the award winners, the Feather in Her Cap Association posthumously honored Kathy Gloyd, BS, DVM, for her career contributing to the advancement of the Animal Health industry. Gloyd passed away in October 2024. She worked in private practice and at Hills before founding Gloyd Group with her husband, Joe. The company later became Elevate DVM, Inc., and served various industrial, academic, and professional organizations related to veterinary medicine. Gloyd co-wrote the first criteria for RACE regulations for approval of CE programs accepted by state boards of Veterinary Medicine, was instrumental in founding and served as the first director of the Companion Animal Parasitic Council (CAPC), was the Executive Director of the American Heartworm Society, (AHS). She leaves a long legacy of positive impact on the Animal Health and Veterinary industries.

Follow the Feather in Her Cap Association on LinkedIn at and at www.featherinhercap.org. The nomination process will reopen in the final quarter of 2025 to celebrate more outstanding women in Animal Health in 2026.

About the Feather in Her Cap Association, Inc.
The Feather in Her Cap Association, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the achievements of women in the animal health industry.

Media Contact:
Julie Lawless
Lawless Strategic Communications
Julie.Lawless@lawlesscomms.com
+1.615.585.5861

2024 Feather in Her Cap and High Flyer Award Winners Named for Outstanding Achievements in Animal Health Industry

Andrea J. Gonzales, Ph.D., at Zoetis received 2024 Feather in Her Cap; Katharina Bohnenblust, Ph.D., at Elanco Animal Health was awarded 2024 High Flyer award.

ORLANDO, Fla. (January 16, 2024) – The Feather in Her Cap Association, Inc. and 300 industry leaders honored 11 women for their outstanding career achievements in Animal Health at the seventh annual Feather in Her Cap awards ceremony. Andrea J. Gonzales Ph.D., vice president of Global Companion Animal Therapeutics at Zoetis, Inc., (NYSE: ZTS) was awarded the 2024 Feather in Her Cap award and Katharina Bohnenblust Ph.D., senior director, head of Formulation Development at Elanco Animal Health (NYSE: ELAN) was this year’s recipient of the 2024 High Flyer award.

The awards were started in 2017 by a group of veterans of the Animal Health industry to celebrate the achievements of women in the Animal Health industry and serve to inspire the next generation of industry leaders.

“This year’s field of nominees and our award winners Andrea and Katharina are outstanding leaders whose accomplishments range from developing blockbuster veterinary therapeutics to creating new animal health startups to building a sustainable future,” said Julia Stephanus, president of the Feather in Her Cap Association. “These are the leaders that are moving our industry forward. We are honored to provide a spotlight on their success.”

2024 Feather in Her Cap Winner: Dr. Andrea Gonzales –
Vice President of Global Companion Animal Therapeutics, Zoetis
The Feather in Her Cap Award is given to a woman with at least 10 years in the Animal Health industry who has made significant contributions to her field and exhibited a commitment to mentoring women in the industry.

Dr. Gonzales holds a Doctorate in Toxicology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Michigan. She leads a group of 40 scientists at Zoetis. Her passion is to build an innovative R&D pipeline of animal health therapeutics. She joined the company in 2007 as part of the Companion Animal Internal Medicine group. Her teams have worked relentlessly to deliver first-in-class approvals of therapeutics including Apoquel® (oclacitinib) and Cytopoint (lokivetmab) for canine atopic/allergic dermatitis, and most recently Solensia™ (frunevetmab) and Librela™ (bedinvetmab) to control pain associated with osteoarthritis in cats and dogs, respectively. As a mentor, she respects the uniqueness of each mentee and aspires to listen, support, share successes and failures, provide growth opportunities, and inspire others to want to achieve their personal best.

Charitable Donation
Each year, the Feather in Her Cap award winner chooses an animal-related non-profit organization to receive a $5,000 donation. This year, Dr. Gonzales chose Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, as the recipient. Opened in 1969 as the first therapeutic riding center built especially for the purpose of serving those with special needs in North America, the Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center serves riders of all ages who have physical, emotional or cognitive disabilities. Cheff’s mission is to enhance the lives of individuals who have special needs through equine assisted services while leading the industry in education.

This year’s Feather in Her Cap nominees included:

  • Caroline Belmont – Vice President, US Global Innovation and US Regulatory Affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim
  • Katie Cook – Vice President, Global Farm Animal Innovation, Livestock Sustainability & US Marketing, Elanco Animal Health
  • Divya Divakaran, M.V.Sc. – Assistant General Manager, Natural Remedies
  • Tyre Grant Ph.D. – Vice President, Global Product Development and Project Management, Elanco Animal Health
  • Laura Villarreal Ph.D. – Executive Director, Livestock Business Unit, Brazil, MSD Animal Health
  • Kim Young – President, KC Animal Health Corridor

2024 High Flyer Award Winner: Dr. Katharina Bohnenblust –
Senior Director, Head of Formulation Development, Elanco
The High Flyer Award was established in 2022 and is given to a woman with 4-10 years in the Animal Health industry who has achieved at least one major accomplishment and demonstrates a working relationship with a mentor in the industry.

Dr. Bohnenblust holds a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Technology from the University of Düsseldorf. She joined Elanco in 2016 as a laboratory manager in formulation development. In 2021, she began leading a pharmaceutical development unit and since 2022 she has led a global team of formulation development experts. She developed the new Elanco JAK-inhibitor formulation and manufacturing process from the first prototypes to scale-up. While assuming more management responsibility and leading a larger team, she supported the scientists through submission and product launch readiness. Dr. Bohnenblust also serves as a mentor for young female scientists encouraging them to achieve next steps in their careers, grow their professional networks, and learn to balance the needs of the business with scientific discovery.

This year’s High Flyer nominees included:

  • Christine Colamonico, DVM – Founder, Jope – Joy of Pets
  • Elizabeth Creveling – Senior Director, Inclusion & Engagement, Zoetis
  • Yumiko Domen – Manager, Regulatory Affairs Group, R&D Division, ISK – Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha

New Feather in Her Cap Association, Inc. President
After serving a four-year term as president of the Feather in Her Cap Association, Julia Stephanus, partner at Borealis Ventures, will pass the presidency to president-elect, Christine Jenkins, DVM, DACVIM. She is a long-serving volunteer director at Feather in Her Cap Association and recently retired Animal Health and Veterinary leader who held senior leadership roles at Hill’s Pet Nutrition and most recently at Zoetis.

Follow the Feather in Her Cap on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/feather-in-her-cap-awards and at www.featherinhercap.org. The nomination process will reopen in Q3 of 2024 to celebrate more outstanding women in Animal Health in 2025.

About the Feather in Her Cap Association, Inc.
The Feather in Her Cap Association, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the achievements of women in the animal health industry.
www.featherinhercap.org and www.linkedin.com/company/feather-in-her-cap-awards

Media Contact:
Julie Lawless
Lawless Strategic Communications
Julie.Lawless@lawlesscomms.com
+1.615.585.5861

Women Leaders in Animal Health Industry Recognized with 6TH Annual Feather in Her CapSMAwards

ORLANDO, January 17, 2023 More than 250 attended the sixth annual Feather in Her Cap Award celebration on January 16, 2023, recognizing women leaders in the animal health industry for their significant contributions. Two awards were given this year, the Feather in Her Cap Award and the High Flyer Award.

The 2023 Feather in Her Cap Award was given to Dr. Véronique Kodjo, a leader in global manufacturing, supply chain and quality in the animal health industry.  The 2023 High Flyer Award was given to Saba Belay, a leader in data analytics.

Dr. Kodjo is Executive Vice President, Head of Global Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Quality at Ceva Santé Animale. She has led international teams in areas ranging from marketing, R&D and quality to her current specialization in manufacturing. Dr. Kodjo became the global head of manufacturing for two of the top animal health companies overseeing 19 manufacturing sites in 10 countries as well as the supply chain for a global multi-billion-dollar business. She optimized manufacturing capabilities with significant facility upgrades including construction of a 200€ million manufacturing facility. Dr. Kodjo holds a DVM from École Nationale Vétérinaire de Lyon.

In addition to her business leadership, Dr. Kodjo has been an inspiring role model and mentor for many in the industry, promoting women in manufacturing, supply chain, and site direction.

The 2023 High Flyer Award was given to Saba Belay, Head, Commercial Data Science and Analytics Engineering at Zoetis. She leads a cross-functional team developing tools that leverage advanced analytics to drive sales and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of digital marketing initiatives, field force, and inside sales representatives. Ms. Belay holds MS degrees from Rutgers and University of Arkansas.  She received the first-ever High Flyer award.

Ms. Belay runs a mentorship program in Ethiopia for underprivileged women with strong math and science aptitude to support their education, personally providing full financial support and housing for participants.

About The Feather in Her Cap Award
The award was established in 2017 to honor women who have made outstanding contributions in animal health through scientific, industrial, or commercial excellence and by demonstrating commitment to mentoring women. In addition to Veronique Kodjo, the award winner, nominees included:

  • Louise Grubb, MBS, BSc, Dip Diet – CEO and Founder, TriviumVet
  • Rhonda La Fleur, PhD – Principal Scientist, Merck Animal Health
  • Roxanne Lagano, JD ­– Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer and Global Operations, Zoetis
  • Laura Letendre, PhD, DABT— Executive Director of Drug Safety and DMPK, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health
  • Fatou Sow, PhD— General Manager, Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Medicine Belgium
  • Anne Traas, DVM, Dipl ACT— Chief Development Officer, Scout Bio, Inc.

About The High Flyer Award
The award was established in 2022 to honor a mid-career professional woman with 4-10 years in the animal health industry who has achieved at least one major accomplishment, and demonstrates a working relationship with a mentor in the industry. In addition to Sabay Belay, the award winner, nominees included:

  • Samantha Peck, BS – Channel Excellence Senior Analyst, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health
  • Amanda Welsh, MBA – Director of Marketing, US Cattle Business, Merck Animal Health
  • Jessica Wofford, DVM, PhD – Senior Scientist, Non-Infectious Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health

About The World Poultry Foundation

The animal-related charity selected by the Feather in Her Cap winner for a $5000 donation was the World Poultry Foundation.  The World Poultry Foundation’s mission is to be a catalyst for improving lives globally through the sustainable production of poultry by empowering farmers in developing regions to increase their income, develop resilience to economic shocks, consume a healthier diet, and increase engagement throughout their communities.

About Feather in Her Cap Association, Inc.
Feather in Her Cap℠ Association, Inc. is a New York non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. For information please visit www.featherinhercap.org.

Media Contact: 
Lauren Cook
Moldave and Cook Strategic Communications                                                                      lauren@moldave-cook.com 
(908) 403-8527

June 20, 2022

Feather In Her Cap Association announced the addition of a second award to honor the accomplishments of up-and-coming women leaders in the animal health industry.

 

Feather in Her Cap Adds Dr. Judy Jarecki-Black to Board of Directors

 

Click on a link below for more information