Animal Health Insider

Recorded live at AHNTI-EU 2026 in London, this episode of Animal Health Insider features Rob Kelly, Senior Vice President of Global Operations at Merck Animal Health. In this wide-ranging conversation, Rob shares his perspective on leading at global scale, why livestock and aquaculture may be bigger growth opportunities than many realize, and how technology is transforming Animal Health. From vaccines and monoclonal antibodies to data, wearables, and connected solutions, Rob offers a sharp look at where innovation is headed next. He also talks about people-first leadership, gives his take on what the next generation should focus on, and the personal discipline that keeps him performing at a high level. If you want insight from one of the industry’s most experienced global leaders at one of the largest Animal Health companies, tune in with us! #AnimalHealth #Innovation #Livestock #Technology About Animal Health Insider 🎧 Animal Health Insider brings you behind the scenes of the animal health industry with insights from the leaders, innovators, and dealmakers shaping what’s next. Subscribe today! Learn more. About LawlessComms Ready to build industry influence and engage employees through strategic communications made for Animal Health? We’re here to help. 🌐 https://www.lawlesscomms.com/ LinkedIn: JulieLawless About Stonehaven Transactions With decades of commercial and legal experience in M&A and other transactions in the animal health sector, Stonehaven Transactions guides small and large life science companies and investors through buy-side or sell-side transactions, license deals and commercial collaborations, ensuring value maximization, a seamless process, optimized synergies, and long-term growth. 🌐 https://sc.group/transactions/ LinkedIn: DrBeatriceVos About S&P Global Animal Health Beyond the headlines, S&P Global Animal Health provides expert insights for your animal health business. 🌐 https://www.spglobal.com/commodity-in... LinkedIn: JoeHarvey

Laurie Hueneke Martens, Associate VP of Public Policy & Government Relations at Merck Animal Health, joins the podcast to discuss how trade, tariffs and science-based policy are shaping the future of animal health. Laurie shares why government relations matters more than ever, how global policy decisions affect producers and veterinarians, and why vaccine hesitancy is becoming an emerging issue in both livestock and companion animal health. #AnimalHealth #Veterinary #PublicPolicy About Animal Health Insider Hosted by Julie Lawless of Lawless Communications, Animal Health Insider takes you behind the scenes of the Animal Health industry. Each episode starts with a conversation with industry insiders Dr. Beatrice Vos of Stonehaven Transactions and Joseph Harvey of S&P Global Animal Health followed by in-depth interviews with the leaders and disruptors shaping what’s next. ▶️ Watch or 🎧 listen anywhere you listen to podcasts. About LawlessComms Ready to build industry influence and engage employees through strategic communications made for Animal Health? We’re here to help. 🌐 https://www.lawlesscomms.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julielawless About Stonehaven Transactions With decades of commercial and legal experience in M&A and other transactions in the animal health sector, Stonehaven Transactions guides small and large life science companies and investors through buy-side or sell-side transactions, license deals and commercial collaborations, ensuring value maximization, a seamless process, optimized synergies, and long-term growth. 🌐 https://sc.group/transactions/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-beatrice-vos-4184201 About S&P Global Animal Health Beyond the headlines, S&P Global Animal Health provides expert insights for your animal health business. 🌐 https://www.spglobal.com/commodity-insights/en/industries/agriculture/animal-health LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-harvey-08109916

What does new leadership at a top 10 animal health company signal for the future of the industry? In this exclusive interview, Virbac’s new CEO Paul Martingell joins Animal Health Insider for his first in-depth industry conversation since stepping into the role. Paul shares his early impressions of animal health, what he learned from leading through transformation, and how those experiences are helping to guide Virbac’s next chapter. From R&D investment and long-term growth strategy to innovation, manufacturing, and culture, this conversation explores what it takes to compete and win in today’s evolving animal health landscape. We also discuss: 📈 Virbac’s growth ambitions and 2030 profitability targets 💰 Investing through uncertainty and why R&D matters now more than ever 🐾 Breakthrough innovation 🐄 Underutilized opportunities in livestock 🌍 Sustainability, One Health, and where the industry is headed next If you are watching leadership transitions closely, thinking about capital allocation, or evaluating where animal health innovation is going, this is one you will not want to miss. #AnimalHealth #Veterinary #Virbac #Biotech #Leadership About Animal Health Insider Animal Health Insider takes you behind the scenes of the Animal Health industry. Each episode starts with conversation from the “Insiders,” followed by in-depth conversations with the leaders and disruptors shaping what’s next. If you work in #AnimalHealth, #Veterinary, #Biotech, #Agtech, #Sustainability, #Investment, or #PublicPolicy, subscribe for sharper context and real insight from the people on the inside of the industry. 🌐 Learn more at https://www.lawlesscomms.com/podcast/ LawlessComms Ready to build industry influence and engage employees through strategic communications made for Animal Health? We’re here to help. 🌐 https://www.lawlesscomms.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julielawless Stonehaven Transactions With decades of commercial and legal experience in M&A and other transactions in the animal health sector, Stonehaven Transactions guides small and large life science companies and investors through buy-side or sell-side transactions, license deals and commercial collaborations, ensuring value maximization, a seamless process, optimized synergies, and long-term growth. 🌐 https://sc.group/transactions/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-beatrice-vos-4184201 S&P Global Animal Health Beyond the headlines, S&P Global Animal Health provides expert insights for your animal health business. 🌐 https://www.spglobal.com/commodity-insights/en/industries/agriculture/animal-health LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-harvey-08109916

In this episode of Animal Health Insider, host Julie Lawless sits down with one of the true pioneers of the animal health industry: Dr. Linda Rhodes—veterinarian, scientist, entrepreneur, board director, nonprofit founder, and Hall of Famer. Linda’s story begins far from the boardroom. As one of the only female large-animal veterinarians practicing in rural Utah in the late 1970s, she faced skepticism and cultural bias every time she stepped into a barn. In a profession that questioned whether women belonged, Linda learned early what it meant to lead with grit, resilience, and quiet confidence—often proving herself for those who would follow. That foundation shaped a career spanning the founding of the first large full-service veterinary CRO in the U.S., serving as CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of Aratana Therapeutics, bringing innovations to market, and sitting on influential industry boards. In this candid conversation, we discuss: ➡️Pivotal moments in Linda’s career—from a terrifying first C-section to navigating leadership transitions from practitioner to entrepreneur to executive 🧠Vulnerability, imposter syndrome, and the personal trade-offs of being a pioneer 🏆The creation of Feather in Her Cap, the nonprofit Linda founded to elevate and recognize women whose achievements had long gone overlooked—now known as the “Oscars of Animal Health.” 📖The release of Linda’s memoir, Breaking the Barnyard Barrier, and why honest storytelling still matters What Linda hopes the next generation will carry forward Prior to Julie’s interview with Linda, she also gets the inside scoop from two animal health industry insiders --Dr. Beatrice Vos of Stonehaven Transactions and Joseph Harvey of S&P Global Animal Health. Guest Info: Dr. Linda Rhodes 🌐 https://lindarhodes.com/bio/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-rhodes-096349/ Order Her Book Here: https://lindarhodes.com/books/breaking-the-barnyard-barrier/ LawlessComms Ready to build industry influence and engage employees through strategic communications made for Animal Health? We’re here to help! 🌐 https://www.lawlesscomms.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julielawless Stonehaven Transactions With decades of commercial and legal experience in M&A and other transactions in the animal health sector, Stonehaven Transactions guides small and large life science companies and investors through buy-side or sell-side transactions, license deals and commercial collaborations, ensuring value maximization, a seamless process, optimized synergies, and long-term growth. 🌐 https://sc.group/transactions/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-beatrice-vos-4184201/ S&P Global Animal Health Beyond the headlines, S&P Global Animal Health provides expert insights for your animal health business. 🌐 https://www.spglobal.com/energy/en/products-solutions/agriculture-food/animal-health LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-harvey-08109916/ About Animal Health Insider Animal Health Insider takes you behind the scenes of the Animal Health industry. Each episode starts with conversation from the “Insiders”, followed by in-depth conversations with the leaders and disruptors shaping what’s next. If you work in #AnimalHealth, #Veterinary, #Biotech, #Agtech, #Sustainability, #Investment, or #PublicPolicy, subscribe for a sharper context and real insight from the people on the inside of the industry. 🌐 Learn more at https://www.lawlesscomms.com/podcast/