Our Team

It takes a team to meet our goals

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Our Co-Founders

Valerie C. Marcano, DVM, PhD, Dip. ACPV

CEO & Board of Directors Co-Chair

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Dr. Valerie Marcano is an international speaker published in multiple peer-reviewed journals as well as an entrepreneur advocating for health and belonging in veterinary medicine.

Dr. Marcano is a diplomat of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians (ACPV). She graduated in 2020 from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Medical Scientist Training Program with her veterinary (DVM) and PhD degrees. Prior to that, Dr. Marcano completed a Bachelor of Science with Distinction in Research at Cornell University in 2012. Dr. Marcano has worked at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory (ARS, USDA), University of Georgia’s Poultry Diagnostic & Research Center, National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP, APHIS, USDA) and Elanco Animal Health.

In 2020, Dr. Marcano co-founded the 501(c)3 nonprofit Pawsibilities Vet Med and in 2022 she founded ValCri Consulting LLC. Pawsibilities Vet Med is a nonprofit that aims to increase recruitment and retention of individuals from underrepresented and marginalized communities to the veterinary profession. ValCri Consulting LLC is a firm offering consultations in poultry health as well as diversity and belonging. Dr. Marcano is the chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the American Association of Avian Pathologists and a member of the Commission for a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Veterinary Profession of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges.

Dr. Marcano has been featured in numerous articles and podcasts and has presented over forty seminars on infectious diseases or poultry, inclusive mentorship and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

Seth Andrews, ME, PhD

COO & Board of Directors Co-Chair

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Dr. Seth Andrews, PhD is a Process Development Engineer with Precision BioSciences, where he is also a lead on the DEI council. He completed a post-doc at the University of Georgia after earning his PhD in Biological Engineering from the same institution in 2019. He received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering from Cornell University. Over the course of his career, Seth has mentored numerous high school and undergraduate students.

 

Our Team

Heather Rosario

Program Director

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Francella Macabata

Communications & Engagement 

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Sharema Williams

Grant Writing

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Cindy Cole

Editing & Review

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Steve Shay

Information Systems Manager

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Sarah Sheraski

Consulting Executive Director

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Robyn Tucker 

Fundraising Strategist

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Jackie Barber

Marketing and External Affairs

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2024 Summer Interns

Pawsibilities Vet Med
Zoetis-Sponsored Internship

Keertti Sinnan

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Keertti (Keer-thee) is an incoming first-year student at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Education at Tufts University, where she was treasurer of the Pre-Veterinary Society, an intern at the Asian American Center, and winner of the Office of Residential Life & Learning’s 2023 Equity & Inclusion Award.

Keertti’s previous internships at nonprofit organizations such as the New England Aquarium and the Wild Bird Fund have cemented her interest in treating scaled and feathered patients. She hopes to develop her passions for Asian American activism, queer theory, and animals into a career in which she can promote DEIB in the veterinary field and practice exotic pet medicine through an anti-colonial lens.

Zachary Inniss

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Zach is a first-year veterinary student at The Ohio State University with a strong passion for comparative and translational medicine. His enthusiasm for these fields has driven him to pursue research opportunities, with the ultimate goal of becoming a Veterinary Surgical Oncologist. Zach is dedicated to advancing the understanding of cancer biology and contributing to the development of innovative treatments in comparative oncology.

Motivated by his own journey and the challenges he faced, Zach initiated the Veterinary Immersion Plan (VIP) to support undergraduate students aspiring to careers in veterinary medicine. The VIP program aims to provide essential resources and guidance, helping students overcome barriers and successfully navigate their educational and professional paths.