Paws and profits: Elanco names new chief people officer, AHI welcomes government affairs VP, and more updates

A global animal health company has appointed a new chief people officer as its outgoing HR leader prepares to retire, the Animal Health Institute (AHI) has brought on a government affairs veteran to support its policy work, and Maryland’s first standalone veterinary school has named an anatomy professor ahead of its inaugural DVM class. Read on for details about each individual.

Jamie Preston, MHA, executive vice president and chief people officer, Elanco Animal Health

Elanco Animal Health has appointed Jamie Preston, MHA, as executive vice president and chief people officer, effective November 3, 2026. Preston joins from Eli Lilly and Company, where she spent 23 years, including nearly two decades in human resources leadership. Most recently, she served as vice president of HR, global compensation, and workforce innovation, overseeing compensation and recognition for Lilly’s global workforce of more than 50,000 employees.

During her tenure at Lilly, Preston held HR leadership roles across global markets, including serving as associate vice president of HR across 5 countries in the Asia-Pacific region and as HR director for Lilly Japan. She completed the Chief Human Resources Officer Program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and holds both a master’s and a bachelor’s degree in health service administration from the University of Evansville. She succeeds Dave Kinard, who plans to retire at year-end after playing a foundational role in building Elanco’s HR infrastructure since the company’s separation from Lilly.

“Elanco’s purpose — food and companionship enriching lives — deeply resonates with me,” Preston said in a company news release.¹ “I am excited to partner with our global teams to champion our people, advance workforce innovation, and cultivate a culture where our talent thrives as we deliver for veterinarians, pet owners, farmers, and the animals in their care.”

Andrew Bailey, JD, vice president of government affairs and public policy, Animal Health Institute

AHI has named Andrew Bailey, JD, as vice president of government affairs and public policy, effective November 16, 2026. Bailey brings experience working with Congress, federal agencies, and industry leaders on animal health, food safety, and agricultural policy. He most recently worked as a consultant advising trade associations on government relations, regulatory affairs, and public policy, and previously served as senior director of policy and regulatory affairs at Conagra Brands. Earlier in his career, he held positions at the National Pork Producers Council, the National Turkey Federation, and the law firm Siff & Associates.

Bailey earned his JD from George Washington University Law School and bachelor’s degrees in international business and Spanish from Mississippi State University. In his new role, he will support AHI’s work to advance policies that help veterinarians, farmers, ranchers, and pet owners access medicines for animal health.

“I’m thrilled to be joining AHI at such a critical time for our sector,” Bailey said in an organization announcement.² “I look forward to working with our members and policymakers to advance practical, science-based policies that support healthier animals and continued innovation.”

Paul Nader, DVM, associate professor of anatomy, UMES School of Veterinary Medicine

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore School of Veterinary Medicine (UMES SVM) has named Paul Nader, DVM, as associate professor of anatomy. Nader joins the faculty with 35 years of veterinary experience and will lead the development and delivery of anatomy instruction across the DVM curriculum, including gross anatomy, histology, embryology, and comparative vertebrate anatomy. He has previously served as a professor at Lincoln Memorial University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and as a visiting professor at St. George’s University’s School of Veterinary Medicine.

Nader earned his DVM from the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. His appointment comes as UMES SVM recently received its letter of reasonable assurance from the AVMA Council on Education, a major step toward welcoming its inaugural DVM class in summer 2027. The school will become the first standalone veterinary school in Maryland and the first at a public historically Black college or university.

“Anatomy is where every great veterinarian begins,” Nader said in a school announcement.³ “Joining UMES is the opportunity of a lifetime. We’re building a veterinary school, making history and opening doors for students who will change the face of this profession. I can’t wait to welcome our first class and help them build a foundation that will carry them through their entire careers.”

References

1. Elanco Animal Health Appoints Jamie Preston as Chief People Officer. News release. Elanco Animal Health. October 22, 2026. Accessed November 9, 2026. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/elanco-animal-health-appoints-jamie-preston-as-chief-people-officer-302916286.html
2. AHI Welcomes Andrew Bailey as Government Affairs Vice President. News release. Animal Health Institute. November 9, 2026. Accessed November 9, 2026. https://ahi.org/ahi-welcomes-andrew-bailey-as-government-affairs-vice-president/
3. UMES School of Veterinary Medicine Welcomes Renowned Anatomist Dr. Paul Nader as Associate Professor of Anatomy. News release. University of Maryland Eastern Shore. November 2, 2026. Accessed November 9, 2026.