Paws and profits: VVCA installs new board president, Petco appoints new board member, and more updates

A veterinary virtual care organization has installed a new board president following a leadership transition from its founding chair, a publicly traded pet health and wellness company has added a retail finance veteran to its board, and a pet insurance provider has brought on a former industry CEO to lead its growth strategy. Read on for details about each individual.

Jessica May, BVetMed (Hons), president, Veterinary Virtual Care Association Board of Directors

The Veterinary Virtual Care Association (VVCA) has installed Jessica May, BVetMed (Hons), as president of its board of directors, succeeding founding board chair Mark Cushing, who will remain on the board. May has served on the VVCA board since 2022, where she chaired the Association's European Committee. Prior to her board role, she served as lead UK veterinarian at FirstVet from 2019 to 2022, where she worked to advance virtual veterinary care during the rapid expansion of digital healthcare.

Cushing, who helped establish VVCA at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, will continue to provide strategic guidance as an active board member. The organization was originally founded to help the veterinary profession adapt to the challenges of the pandemic and has since grown into a professional association focused on the responsible integration of virtual care in veterinary medicine.

"I am deeply honored to serve as President of the Veterinary Virtual Care Association," May said following her installation on July 30, 2026.¹ "Virtual care has become an essential part of modern veterinary medicine, helping practices better serve clients while improving access to care for countless pets and their families. I look forward to working with our Board, members, and partners to continue advancing innovation, education, and advocacy across the professions."

Jeffrey Naylor, MBA, board member and audit committee chair, Petco Health & Wellness

Petco Health & Wellness has appointed Jeffrey Naylor, MBA, to its board of directors, effective August 1, 2026, where he will also serve as chair of the company's audit committee. Naylor brings more than two decades of finance and operations experience in the retail sector, including serving in multiple senior leadership roles at The TJX Companies from 2004 to 2014, most recently as senior executive vice president, chief financial and administrative officer. He has also held CFO and senior leadership roles at Big Lots, Dade Behring, and The Limited.

Naylor currently serves as chair of the board and audit committee member at Synchrony Financial and as a director and audit committee chair at Wayfair, and until recently served as a director at Dollar Tree.

"I am excited to join Petco's Board of Directors during such a dynamic period of transformation for the company," Naylor said in a company news release.² "Petco is a category-defining leader in pet health and wellness, and I see tremendous opportunities to build on the company's strengthening retail fundamentals and integrated omni-channel model. I look forward to partnering with Joel, the leadership team, and the rest of the Board to support our strategy for long-term profitable growth."

Lane Kent, chief growth officer, Odie Pet Insurance

Odie Pet Insurance has appointed Lane Kent as chief growth officer, where he will lead the company's growth strategy across strategic partnerships, embedded distribution, channel development, product strategy, and operational execution. Kent brings more than three decades of insurance leadership experience, most recently serving as chief executive officer of Independence Pet Group, one of North America's largest pet insurance platforms, after previously serving as its chief operating officer.

In his new role, Kent will work with Odie's founders and leadership team to expand the company's partnership network and align its product, technology, service, and claims capabilities with the company's long-term direction.³

"Odie has the ingredients I look for in a growth company: a compelling market opportunity, a founder-led culture, a flexible and modern platform, and a clear willingness to challenge legacy assumptions in the category," Kent said in a company news release.³ "I am thrilled to be joining Miles, Zabrina, and the impressive leadership team they've built at this critical inflection point in the evolution of pet insurance."

References

1. Veterinary Virtual Care Association Installs Dr Jessica May as President of the Board of Directors. News release. Veterinary Virtual Care Association. August 1, 2026.
2. Petco Appoints Jeffrey Naylor to Board of Directors. News release. Petco - Investor Relations. August 3, 2026. Accessed August 17, 2026. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/petco-appoints-jeffrey-naylor-to-board-of-directors-302840821.html
3. Odie Pet Insurance Names Lane Kent Chief Growth Officer. News release. Odie Pet Insurance. August 5, 2026. Accessed August 17, 2026. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/odie-pet-insurance-names-lane-kent-chief-growth-officer-302843216.html