2026 Board of Directors Nominees
Nominees
The OAVT 2026 Board of Directors Election will take place February 1, 2026, through February 15, 2026 at 5 pm. There will be three (3) director seats up for election.
RVT and RVTr members are eligible to vote in the Board of Directors election and will receive an email invitation. This email will include your Voter ID, your Voter Key, and a button that will take you to the voting page. The email will come from noreply@electionrunner.com. You can add this address to your safe senders list to ensure that the email does not end up in your Spam/Junk folder. If you don’t see the email arrive on February 1st, please check your Spam/Junk folder before contacting the OAVT.
RVTs and RVTr members can vote for up to three (3) candidates to fill the three (3) open positions on the board. You will not be able to vote more than once or to cast more than one ballot for any one candidate.
If you have any questions, please contact Elise@oavt.org.
Nominee Profiles
Below are the nominee profiles for each of the candidates for the OAVT Board of Directors. In 2026, there are three (3) positions open on the Board. Please review the candidates below; candidates are listed alphabetically by last name. Each nominee was given four questions to answer and was provided the optional opportunity to record a video to explain in one minute or less why they wanted to be on the OAVT Board of Directors. If a nominee recorded a video, it is included in their profile. All candidate answers are posted exactly as they were received; no edits (for grammar, clarity or spelling) were made to the responses.
Helena Leigh Harper-Denson
1. Give us an idea of why you are seeking to be a Director for the OAVT.
I love this industry. I value the impact pets have on people, deeply respect the human–animal bond, and continually seek to surround myself with individuals who share that passion. I’ve always been invested in animal science, with a focus in small animal medicine.
My favourite part of being an RVT is empowering people to feel confident in making good decisions about their pet’s health. As an RVT/hospital manager, I had the opportunity to train veterinary students and animal care associates, which fostered a genuine appreciation for teaching, mentoring, and guiding others toward growth (somewhere along the way, I realized I enjoy supporting people almost as much as I enjoy a perfectly organized treatment board).
Being involved with organizations such as the OAVT has always been meaningful to me, especially when it comes to providing continuing education and contributing to initiatives that elevate and advance our profession. I’m grateful for any opportunity to collaborate with passionate, like-minded individuals working toward the same goal: strengthening the future of veterinary technicians.
Today, I’ve found my “happy place” in the animal health industry, helping teams across North America deliver education and resources that improve patient care and professional development. I believe these experiences, combined with my enthusiasm for advocacy, learning, and team building, would contribute positively to the OAVT Board of Directors (and if there’s one thing this field has taught me, it’s that RVTs can handle anything provided we have enough coffee and a good sense of humour).
2. Tell the members about your background and qualifications for this position (biography, resume, and/or listing of qualifications)
I’ve been working in the animal health industry since 2009. My passion for this field led me to complete a Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Guelph and a diploma in Veterinary Technology from Sheridan College. During my education, I explored a variety of animal care avenues, including working with premature and critically ill neonatal foals through the OVC Foal Watch Program, supporting aquatic animal care and research at the University of Guelph, and even traveling to Thailand to work with a wildlife reserve and elephant sanctuary. I left no rock unturned but ultimately decided I like cats & dogs best (smaller messes!).
I worked in small animal practice for nearly a decade, eventually stepping into an RVT & Practice Manager role. I later joined LifeLearn Animal Health as a Project Manager and now work as an Account Executive within their Industry Solutions team. For the past seven years, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with project and event specialists, veterinarians, scientific writers, designers, and biomedical communicators to bring education to life through impactful materials and experiences. I am a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional and hold a micro-credential in Acute Self-Care for Veterinary Professionals from Seneca College, which reflects my commitment to mental health within our profession. I’ve been an OAVT member since 2015 and previously served on the Board of Directors (2022–23). I’ve also contributed as an OAVT conference volunteer, speaker planning committee member, college accreditation committee member, and governance committee member. I’ve served as a coach for the OAVT Professionalism & Ethics since 2021.
3. Tell us about your expertise and how you plan to meet the objectives and goals of the OAVT.
I believe I bring a unique perspective to the OAVT Board through my combined experience in clinical practice, project management, and industry education. I’ve had the privilege of partnering with incredible educators, innovators, and leaders in veterinary medicine, and their work continually inspires me to uphold and elevate the standard of care we provide as veterinary professionals.
I’m accustomed to collaborating with teams of like-minded individuals on solution-oriented initiatives, creative innovations, and projects that require both strategy and follow-through. My project management background has strengthened my organizational skills, attention to detail, communication abilities, and experience managing complex initiatives from idea to execution (some might say my love for colour-coded spreadsheets is a personality trait at this point).
I’m also deeply interested in supporting the OAVT’s efforts surrounding evolving regulations, title protection, and improved utilization of veterinary technicians. Our profession is standing at an important crossroads, and it’s essential that strong, informed, and passionate voices contribute to the direction we take next. If elected, I intend to bring thoughtfulness, collaboration, and enthusiasm to the Board, and to work diligently toward the OAVT’s goals of advocating for RVTs, advancing our professional scope, and strengthening the future of veterinary technicians.
4. What is your vision for the future of the profession? How do you feel the OAVT can positively influence this vision?
My vision for the future of our profession is one where veterinary technicians are fully recognized, respected, and utilized for the highly skilled professionals we are. Like many RVTs, I want to see our role understood not only within veterinary teams, but also by the public. By maintaining high professional standards, promoting the value of our work, and continuing to set clear expectations for quality care, the OAVT plays a key role in shaping this perception.
It’s been inspiring to watch our profession grow and evolve, and I believe the next step is ensuring veterinary technicians are consistently empowered to apply their training and implement best practices in hospitals. Strengthening licensing, certification, and continued education supports this growth and helps drive improved utilization.
Looking ahead, my vision also includes career longevity. Our field thrives when RVTs have avenues for advancement, meaningful professional recognition, and workplaces that prioritize mental health and wellness. Because let’s be honest, passion can fuel us but it’s the healthy boundaries and supportive systems that keep us going.
The OAVT is instrumental in driving these changes: advocating for responsible regulation, creating development opportunities, championing wellness initiatives, and promoting the essential contributions RVTs make every day. By continuing to lead in these areas, the OAVT can help shape a future where veterinary technicians feel empowered, supported, and proud of the profession they’ve built.
Sam Kippen
1. Give us an idea of why you are seeking to be a Director for the OAVT.
I am seeking a position on the OAVT Board of Directors because this is a pivotal time for our profession. With the upcoming legislative changes through the CVPO, RVTs need a strong voice in shaping our future. I want to advocate for RVTs as the new legislation is finalized and once it comes into effect, ensuring our education, expertise, and professionalism are represented and protected during and after this transition.
2. Tell the members about your background and qualifications for this position (biography, resume, and/or listing of qualifications)
I have worked in veterinary medicine for nearly eight years and became an RVT in 2025. I am also a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM). I currently work in a small animal practice as both a practice manager and RVT, bridging clinical and administrative perspectives. In college, I served as Volunteers and Clubs Director on the Student Council Board, gaining valuable experience in leadership, collaboration, and governance.
3. Tell us about your expertise and how you plan to meet the objectives and goals of the OAVT.
As a practice manager, I uphold professional standards and foster a culture of growth and education. My passion lies in team training, mentorship, and continuous learning. I aim to support the OAVT by promoting professional development and advancing recognition for RVTs across Ontario.
4. What is your vision for the future of the profession? How do you feel the OAVT can positively influence this vision?
My vision is for RVTs to be recognized as essential members of the veterinary healthcare team – one profession, two professionals. I believe the OAVT can continue to elevate the profession through advocacy, education, and by empowering RVTs to practice to their full potential.
Brooke Lindsay
1. Give us an idea of why you are seeking to be a Director for the OAVT.
I would love to be a director for the OAVT to be another voice and advocate for our profession. I pride myself as being an RVT as not only a career choice but as something that I have dedicated my life to. All of my life I have had a core of advocating for animals and since becoming and RVT I have added advocating for each other to my core values and this is not something that I will waiver from.
With our profession constantly changing, it is important moreso now than ever that you have someone representing you who wants to see RVTs as a profession continue to grow and excel and perform to the maximum ability that our training, knowledge and skill set will allow. We are the future of veterinary medicine.
I would also like this opportunity just to learn and grow and serve the community that has supported me for so long.
2. Tell the members about your background and qualifications for this position (biography, resume, and/or listing of qualifications)
I have been an RVT in good standing for 6 years. I started my career in shelter medicine doing HVHQSN for many years before moving over to GP. I am now the lead technician at our hospital and am working on my hours for a specialty in clinical medicine.
I was a member of the Rabies Response Program for multiple years until recently where I began sitting on the Governance Committee for the OAVT.
Outside of the animal world, I am a stage manager for our local community theatre. Stage Management takes organizational and leadership skills which would flourish in an OAVT directors position. Having these skills already under my belt gives me the confidence I feel I need to do a good job in this position.
3. Tell us about your expertise and how you plan to meet the objectives and goals of the OAVT.
I LOVE advocating for those who do not feel they will be heard. I love being able to be the voice for those that feel voiceless. I feel that by using my voice and my open-headed nature, I can exceed the objectives and goals of the OAVT.
Even without being a director, I am a large advocate on promoting the professional standards, education and interests of the profession. I am largely active in being a voice for the profession and speaking with youth about their future in Veterinary Medicine. I take any opportunity I can to speak to those outside of the profession about the importance of Veterinary Medicine and RVTs.
4. What is your vision for the future of the profession? How do you feel the OAVT can positively influence this vision?
My vision for the future of the profession is all RVTs using their skill set to the fullest potential. There are clinics that are still not allowing their technicians to do tonometry, cystocentesis and so many other things that we have been trained to do!
Advocacy will not only allow us to do what we have learned to but will streamline appointments and create a larger financial gain to clinics who can fit more appointments in to see DVMs when we schedule RVTs appointments within their scope of practice.
The OAVT can help with this vision by continuing to promote to all veterinary professionals what RVTs can do! We can continue to advocate for ourselves and show research that backs up these claims that utilizing your technicians can only help your practice.
Elise Ritter
1. Give us an idea of why you are seeking to be a Director for the OAVT.
I am seeking re-election as a Director for the OAVT to support our membership and association. As we continue through this transition for our industry with the ongoing process of implementing the Veterinary Professionals Act and new College of Veterinary Professionals, the OAVT is also at an exciting time of change. I hope to play a small part in building upon the already strong foundtions of our ogranization as the OAVT moves away from the role of professional regulator and towards a greater focus on supporting our members. There is much to look forward to in the coming years as the OAVT continues to play a key role in promoting and growing the unique skillsets of our RVTs and future RVTs.
2. Tell the members about your background and qualifications for this position (biography, resume, and/or listing of qualifications)
Over the last 15 or so years, I have held a variety of roles in the veterinary field including emergency medicine, shelter medicine, and small animal clinical practice. I am a graduate of Sheridan College’s Animal Care and Veterinary Technician programs and have been an RVT since 2014. For the past year, I have had the privilege of sitting on the OAVT’s board of directors, during this time I have been able to apply learning I completed through coursework in Toronto Metropolitan University’s non-profit management certificate program.
3. Tell us about your expertise and how you plan to meet the objectives and goals of the OAVT.
If re-elected, I plan to continue to build upon my knowlege base regarding both the needs of our membership and non-profit best practices. My goal is to apply this knowlege support to support both members and the long-term stability of our OAVT. Through collaboration with other directors, the OAVT membership, and other organizations with shared goals, we can continue to achieve great things for many years to come!
4. What is your vision for the future of the profession? How do you feel the OAVT can positively influence this vision?
My future vision for the RVT profession is one in which we can continue to grow as valued members of the veterinary healthcare sector and beyond. As we gain greater recognition for our skillsets and more opportunities to grow them, it is my hope that our profession will see full utilization and celebration of our roles across the wide variety of settings in which we practice.
In keeping with the OAVT’s mission and vision of inspiring a diverse group of RVTs to positivley impact our world through leadership, advancement, and advocacy, I have seen the OAVT working tirelessly towards a number of goals over the years. RVTs today are doing so many things that I scarcely believed were possible, such as the advanced roles RVTs are playing in hospital settings along with the amazing variety of RVT-owned businesses that now exist.
As a member of an organization that has worked so hard to see us where we are today. It is exciting to know that the OAVT, at it’s core, is dedicated to dreaming of where we will be in the future.
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