What is CATalyst Council?
CATalyst Council is the veterinary industry’s leading authority on the U.S. feline market, dedicated to advancing feline health and lifelong care for cats. Through species-specific intelligence, the organization drives evidence-based innovation.
Founded in 2008 as a national 501(c)(3), CATalyst Council unites veterinary leaders, industry partners, and data scientists to produce credible research and foster collaboration that improves quality of life for cats and the people who love them. Through an open and inclusive board structure, CATalyst Council brings together a broad range of stakeholders across veterinary medicine, animal welfare, and industry, working together to change the way the United States experiences and values cats.
Gina Fortunato, Executive Director of CATalyst Council talks about the landmark State of the Cat household survey, and where CATalyst Council is headed.
Why we exist:
Mission Statement:
CATalyst Council advances feline health through species-specific intelligence to drive evidence-based innovation and lifelong care.
Vision Statement:
A world where a collaborative feline-specific ecosystem drives a lifetime of care for cats
CATalyst Council Values
- Using evidence-based resources for promoting the best health outcomes for all companion cats
- Embracing community-wide relationships to further the well-being of companion cats
- Celebrating the human-feline bond
Who We Are – Leadership
Gina Fortunato, MBA, CATalyst Council Executive Director
Jane Brunt, DVM, CATalyst Council Sr. Advisor
CATalyst Council Board Members:
- Jon Ayers, CATalyst Council Secretary – Philanthropist, Board Chair of Panthera, a global nonprofit dedicated to conserving the 40 species of wild cats, and former chief executive in the pet health industry for more than two decades
- Linda Block, CATalyst Council Treasurer – Animal Health Industry Consultant, Strategy and Marketing with extensive experience in animal health pharmaceutical marketing
- Martha Cline, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition) – Sr. Manager Veterinary Technical Communications at Nestlé Purina North America, responsible for pet nutrition education
- Anna Czarnecki – Vice President, Global Market Intelligence at Dechra, providing an extensive background in business intelligence, market research and analytics.
- Heather Davis, DVM, PhD, DACVS-LA – Director of Clinical Affairs and Veterinary Services at PRN Pharmacal, leading both clinical and non-clinical studies
- Tracey Deiss, DVM – Sr. Medical Lead at Zoetis, specializing in feline pain and anxiety
- Angela DeRusha – Director, Global Marketing Strategy at IDEXX Laboratories, with significant industry insights on feline health innovation
- Milena Duran, DVM, MBA – Global Marketing responsibilities at Zoetis Inc., serving company-wide Strategic Area Therapeutic Leadership
- David Gosche, DVM – Executive Director US Pet Health Medical Affairs at Elanco, bringing extensive clinical, academic and industry experience
- Adrian Hochstadt, JD, CAE, CATalyst Council Vice Chair – CEO Veterinary Medical Association Executives and extensive experience in association management, including not-for-profit governance and government relations
- Kendall Houlihan, DVM – Associate Director, Animal Welfare Division at AVMA with interests in shelter medicine and the human-animal bond
- Rae Hutchins, DVM – Chief Veterinary Officer at Wedgewood with expertise at the intersection of clinical experience, organizational strategy, and business transformation
- Takeshi Ikegami – Senior Vice President at Hartz Mountain with a focus on research and development of the Delectables cat food line, as well as supports regulatory needs for the company
- Elizabeth Kabbash – Co-Founder and President at ZED Graphic Communications, a strategy and design agency serving consumer goods and the animal health industry
- Dai Kageyama – Senior Vice President at Hartz Mountain, brings over 15 years of US pet industry expertise and a diverse background in brand marketing, overseeing strategy and growth for major national brands, including the popular cat treat brand Delectables.
- Emily Lubitz – Sr. Associate Director, Pets Marketing at Boehringer-Ingelheim leading multi-channel planning and execution for US prescription parasiticides
- Kira Ramdas, DVM – Past President of the Feline Veterinary Medical Association, bringing extensive knowledge and experience in feline-exclusive medicine.
- Stephanie Schiel – Head of Retail Marketing at Ceva, with a focus on keeping the customer front and center
- Elizabeth Schooley, DVM, DACVIM – Board-Certified Veterinary Internist from IDEXX Laboratories with focus on veterinary innovation and strategy, experienced in medical marketing, and dedicated to advancing diagnostic excellence leading to positive outcomes for companion cats
- Anne Ward, DVM, CATalyst Council Immediate Past Chair – Scientific Communications Manager, Royal Canin and US lead for the feline portfolio
- Ernie Ward, DVM – Founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, Chief Veterinary Officer, Vertical Vet, and a leading advocate for feline health and wellness
- Steve Weinrauch, DVM – Chief Product & Veterinary Officer at Trupanion, Founder of MightyVet and Co-Founder of 2nd Chance Rescue with published research in numerous peer-reviewed journals
- Kristin Wuhrman, CATalyst Council Chair – Feline thought leader and advisor to founders, nonprofits, and industry groups advancing feline well-being, Co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer, CatsOnly Veterinary Services
- Steve Zeidman – Animal Welfare Executive with extensive knowledge of shelter software programs and Managing Partner at BarkPass, a pet licensing platform for pet adoption agencies and dog park management