From baseball fields to global veterinary education with Gene O'Neill

In this Bourbon with Brenda episode, host and S&A Co-CEO Brenda Andresen riffs with Gene O'Neill, a leader whose journey has taken him from accounting, operations and professional baseball to the helm of NAVC as CEO.

Brenda and Gene discuss the evolution of NAVC under his leadership and his vision for a globally connected veterinary profession.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

1. How the NAVC evolved from a single annual event into a dynamic, year-round community. Gene recounts his early days at NAVC as CFO, recognizing the risk of having all the eggs in one basket with just one major event and the resulting diversification of revenue streams through online learning and publications.
   

2. The profound human element that drives the veterinary profession. Gene says the most surprising aspect of the profession is how easily one can be influenced by veterinarians’ energy and feel their passion for solving basic issues such as access to care.
   

3. Gene’s vision for a truly global veterinary education. Gene discusses his extensive travels, observing how differently veterinary medicine is practiced across the world. His ultimate goal for the NAVC? To become the primary education provider for the global veterinary community, sharing knowledge and resources to elevate the profession worldwide.

   
   

Want to hear more about Gene’s career and his thoughts on the future of veterinary education? Click play to watch the full episode.