Our team

Dr. Isao Kurauchi is a distinguished veterinary professional with a profound impact on the veterinary field in Japan and beyond. He graduated from Nihon University with a degree in Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine and further obtained a Ph.D. in Agriculture from Kyushu University’s Graduate School of Bioresources and Bioenvironmental Sciences. Additionally, he holds an Honorary Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University. Dr. Kurauchi has dedicated his career to advancing veterinary medicine, animal welfare, and livestock industry development. He has been an elected member of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly since 1987, serving ten consecutive terms. His leadership roles include serving as President of the Fukuoka Veterinary Medical Association from 1993 to 2013 and President of the Fukuoka Livestock Industry Association since 1997. In his extensive career, Dr. Kurauchi has held various significant positions such as President of the Fukuoka Equestrian Federation, Director of the Japan Livestock Industry Association (JLIA), and Vice President and President of the Japan Veterinary Medical Association (JVMA). His contributions to animal welfare are notable, including his tenure as a member of the Animal Welfare Committee of the Ministry of the Environment from 1998 to 2012. Dr. Kurauchi has also been actively involved in disaster response and animal rescue activities, particularly during the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. He has been appointed by the Prime Minister to the Animal Welfare Advisory Council and has served as President of the Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations (FAVA) since 2022. Dr. Kurauchi’s dedication to the veterinary profession is reflected in his continuous efforts to promote animal welfare, public health, and veterinary education. His leadership and vision have significantly influenced veterinary practices and policies, making a lasting impact on the global veterinary community.

Graduated from the University of Zaragoza (Spain), Dr Laguens started his veterinary career as a large animal practitioner in the province of Soria; after 11 years, he became Veterinary Public Health Officer of the Junta de Castilla y León, where he worked from 1990 to 2017. He has a Diploma in High Specialization in Food Technology for the “Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (C.S.I.C.)”. He was a member of the Advisory Board of the Spanish Food Safety Agency (AECOSAN) from 2003 to 2007. He worked in the design, advice and management of several Internet databases to register pets and horses. At the national and European level, he has been involved in different projects related to Veterinary Continuing Education, like the Evaluation Committee of the Spanish Ministry of Health (MSPS), the Institute for Health Sciences of Castilla y León and the initiative Veterinary Continuous Education in Europe (VetCEE). He has been webmaster of a veterinary web portal and editor of the veterinary public health journal “Hygia” 2019-2020. He has had different positions in the Spanish Veterinary Statutory Body (Organización Colegial Veterinaria Española) at provincial, regional, national and international level. He was Councilor for Europe of the World Veterinary Association (WVA) from 2011 to 2017. He served as President of the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) from 2015 to 2019. He was President of the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) from 2020 to 2022, chairing the Standing Committee for the Organization of the WVA Congresses and the WVA Ad Hoc Working Group on Communication. Currently, he is President of the “Colegio Oficial de Veterinarios de Soria”, works as a consultant on communication, education and technology. Dr Rafael Laguens took the office of WVA President on March 30th, 2022.

Graduated from the University of Nairobi (Kenya) Dr. Ouma started his veterinary career as practitioner in Nairobi, Kenya from 1995 to 1997 when he began the teaching career first at the faculty of veterinary medicine of the University of Nairobi and later at Hagaz Agro-technical College in Eritrea till 2005. He then worked as Technical Advisor at the Rotam Agrochemicals’ Regional Scientific Office for Sub-Saharan Africa and The Middle East. Dr. Ouma has a Master of Public Health from Loma Linda University School of Public Health and is a Certified Public Health practitioner (CPH) by the US Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE). He is currently a lecturer in the School of Health Science, University of Kabianga in Kericho, Kenya. He has held different positions at the Kenya Veterinary Association. He was the Vice-Chairman of the Kenya Veterinary Association in 1998 -1999. He has served in different capacities at the KVA branches and is currently in the national executive council and chairman of the infrastructure development sub-committee and a member of the Scientific Sub-committee. Dr. James Ouma was elected councilor for Africa Region of the WVA in 2022 and again in 2024.

I am black female with a strong background in most aspects of strategic and business management, people development and management as well as organizational transformation. I possess a high level of interpersonal interaction combined with sound problem analysis capacity and capability. I have well-developed and effective communication skills (both written & verbal), planning and organizational skills, with a strong aptitude to motivate and train teams and individuals in order to transfer skills. Due to the nature of my work, I have developed over the years, high levels of cognitive and emotional capacity. I am versatile, adaptable and energetic. Strong focus on mentoring, empowering and enabling both youth and adults to become productive, self-directed and life-long learners and to make a positive impact on the farming environments. I am a strong believer and promoter of women empowerment and advancement and believe in equity, diversity and inclusion and fair representation. I thrive well in high pressure environments and excel in event coordination and organization.

Dr. Chin-Cheng Chou, DVM, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus at Veterinary Medicine of National Taiwan University Received DVM from Taiwan and graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA, USA). Dr. Chou started his veterinary career as a horse field veterinarian at Taiwan Olympic Village. After his Ph.D., he chose his academic career in veterinary medicine specializing in veterinary public health, epidemiology, animal disease risk assessment, and livestock pollution control and became a lecture at National Taiwan University (NTU) in 1994 and was promoted to full professor in the year 2005. He was elected as the Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at NTU started in 2011 for three years and was reelected again for the second 3-year term. He became Professor Emeritus at Veterinary Medicine of National Taiwan University starting in 2022. Dr. Chou has been involved at the National and Asia related with different veterinary education, like the evaluation committee of the three veterinary colleges in Taiwan, board member of the Veterinarian Examination Review Committee of Taiwan Examination Yuan, BSE Risk Assessment Consultant Board, and Drug Management Consultant Board of Taiwan Department of Health, Taiwan Regional Associate for Asia of Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), the President of the Chinese Society of Veterinary Science (CSVS from 2013-2018), the President of the Asia Association of Veterinary Schools (AAVS, 2017-2018). Dr, Chou was also appointed by Taiwan EPA for several environmental specialty positions, like Air Pollution Control Fund Management Board, Environmental Impact Assessment Board, Recycling Fund Management Board, and National Environmental Education Fund Management Board. Dr. Chou was also in charge of several NGOs in Taiwan, like Director-General of Taiwan Watch Institute, Chair of Academic Affairs of Taiwan Environmental Protection Union, Executive Director of Taiwan Risk Analysis Association, and Board member of National Animal Industry Foundation of Taiwan.

Dr Schipp served as Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer for 12 years (2011 – 2023) and was President of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH/OIE) (2018 – 2021). Dr Schipp is a graduate and Distinguished Alumni of Murdoch University and has worked in government practice his entire career. Dr Schipp lived and worked in South Korea and China between 2000 and 2006 representing Australian agriculture. In 2021 Dr Schipp was made an honorary Fellow of the Australian New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. In 2022 Dr Schipp received an honorary doctorate in veterinary medicine from Melbourne University. Dr Schipp has considerable governance experience both nationally and internationally. In addition to being a Councillor for the World Veterinary Association Dr Schipp is also a Delegate for the Commonwealth Veterinary Association and a Board member of the Australian Veterinary Association.

He was studying on Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Belgrade, and than trained at veterinary Institutes in UK, Italy, France. As USA government alumni he was trained at Louisiana State University on food safety and HACCP.

Currently works as Director of Veterinary Institute SLAVEN of Banja Luka, where providing wide variety of different tests for food and feed including biological samples aginst animal infectious diseases. Laboratories are internationaly recognized and accreditated according to international standard for laboratories ISO/IEC 17025:2018.

As Professor Associate of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Paneuropean University “APEIRON”, Banja Luka, he teaches food safety and food microbiology, HACCP and food standards.

He is engaged as expert in international ISO standards for laboratories.

He is member of Veterinary Chamber of RS, and Panonian Veterinary Chamber (part of Hungarian National Veterinary Chamber), and honorary member of Hungarian National Veterinary Chamber (MAOK).

Since 2016 he is President of Union Européenne des Vétérinaires Hygienists (UEVH – FVE section) – U.E.V.H. Union of European Veterinary Hygienists.

Since 2017 he is Honorary Consul of Hungary in Bosnia and Hercegovina.

Very active in animal welfare, especially dogs and horses. Enjoys in riding on horseback in Equestrian Club “Saint George”.

Married, father of two.

• Graduation, State examination and Doctorate thesis on calf treatment in Hannover (Germany)
• Started work as a cattle and swine practitioner
• Currently working in small animal practice in the North of Germany and part time state officer dealing with dog- welfare assessments
• Vice President of the Federal Association of German Veterinary Practitioners (bpt) responsible for
  • animal welfare with special regard on small animals,
  • one health with special regard on zoonoses,
  • representing German veterinarians needs and interests within national and European veterinary associations (FVE, UEVP),
  • negotiation of collective wage agreements with the national nurses trade union
• Founding Member and longtime Chair of bpt’s small animal practice section (FGK)
• Chair of the committee for the accreditation of post graduate training for veterinary nurses
• Chair of the advisory board of the Network “Young bpt” within bpt and its founding member
• Member of the Small Animal Committee of the German Veterinary Medical Association (Bundestierärztekammer, BTK)
• Member of the BTK’s working group on Defect Breeds in small animals
• Enjoy Church Choir Singing, Zumba, Travelling

Dr. Helio Blume graduated in Veterinary Medicine from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (1979); holds a master’s degree in Veterinary Medicine from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (1994) and a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (1997). Blume is currently a professor at the ‘UPIS Integrated Faculties’, where he coordinates the postgraduate course in Veterinary Medicine, in addition to specialisation and master’s courses. Dr. Blume has extensive experience in Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science and Medicine, with an emphasis on Human and Animal Physiology, Pathophysiology and Biotechnology of Animal Reproduction, Deontology, Bioethics and Animal Welfare.

Dr. Blume served as Treasurer of the Federal Council of Veterinary Medicine (CFMV) from 2017 to 2018 and Secretary General from 2017 to 2023. He has been Director of the Brazilian Spiritual Federation since 2008 and member of the Executive Committee of the CEI (International Council of Spiritism). Furthermore, Dr. Blume is Coordinator of the Center for Veterinary Medicine and Spirituality (NUVET) at AMEDF, and a member of the Associação Médica Espirita do Brasil.

As a member of the Bank of Evaluators (BASis) of the National Higher Education Evaluation System (Sinaes), he is an Institutional Evaluator and of Higher Technology and Distance Education Courses in Higher Education at INEP/MEC since 2002. He is also an evaluator at Arcu – South, which is the accreditation system for undergraduate courses in the countries that make up Mercosur. He was Brazil’s representative at COPEVET (Pan American Council for Education in Veterinary Sciences), Vice President of PANVET (Pan American Association of Veterinary Sciences) and is currently President-elect of PANVET (2023-2026). Blume is a guest member of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on International Veterinary Medical Education (AAVMC).

Graduated as a Zootechnician Veterinarian Doctor (MVZ) from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Specialist in Animal Production in Bovines, he specialized in Marketing and a Master’s in Business Administration with training in International Business at UNAM. He graduated in Administration of small and medium agricultural companies and recently in Veterinary Epidemiology. Dr. Sánchez Mejorada has held managerial positions at the national level in pharmaceutical companies, responsible for the national market and exports to Central and South America from 1986 to 2004, including technical services, currently he works as a MVZ specialist in Cattle in the Comarca Lagunera (Coahuila and Durango States), the most important and technical dairy basin in Latin America. Since 1997 he has been responsible for regulatory affairs with the Mexican government in various commercial and industrial companies in compliance with the Official Mexican Standard, he is a Technical Expert in certification processes and MVZ certified as a trainer before the federal government. He is an editor and collaborator in various electronic portals and specialized magazines for the dissemination of the agricultural sector. Since 2004, he provides veterinary services to livestock through his own specialized company. He has held the presidency of the Organizing Committee of numerous International Congresses and various union organizations of MVZ at the local, regional and national levels. He is currently president of the Federation of Colleges and Associations of Zootechnician Veterinarian Doctors of Mexico, A.C. (FedMVZ) where he has held various positions, member of the board of directors of the National Technical Advisory Council for Animal Health (CONASA) and the Pan American Association of Veterinary Sciences (PANVET).

A seasoned leader with a diverse background spanning leadership, communication, advocacy, and design. Recognized for visionary leadership, adept at setting strategic directions and mobilizing teams to achieve organizational goals. Skilled in fostering stakeholder relationships, managing media relations, and crafting compelling content that drives engagement across digital and traditional platforms. Brings a strong blend of research capabilities, especially within the One Health domain, combined with a flair for graphic design and visual content creation. An accomplished diplomat and representative, having championed causes and organizations on various international stages. Demonstrated ability in project management, ensuring successful program development and execution with a focus on continuous improvement. Known for a keen intercultural understanding, navigating diverse settings, and building meaningful collaborations across borders.

As a Senior Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Agriculture Development / Livestock team she is responsible for the enable functioning animal systems body of work, focusing on policy, data, veterinary service, advocacy, and collaboration as tools for optimizing livestock’s role in development. She has been engaged with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) as a member of the Committee on International Veterinary Affairs, organized the inaugural AVMA Global Food Security Summit, and was appointed to the AVMA/AAVMC Veterinary Futures Commission. Prior to joining the foundation, she worked at the US Agency for International Development (USAID). In her time at USAID, she worked on both the development and humanitarian priorities of the agency. She served as a Global Health Fellows Program II Fellow in the Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) in the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA) as the Livestock Advisor responsible for livestock health, husbandry, and nutrition during international humanitarian crises.  She was also an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow in the Bureau for Food Security as a member of the Policy Team for the Feed the Future Initiative. After completion of her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) and Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degrees from the University of Minnesota in 2010/2011, she worked in private clinical veterinary practice.  She worked at a rural mixed animal practice in Myrtle Point, Oregon primarily on dairy, small ruminants, horses, cats, and dogs, and in small animal exclusive practices in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as well as doing relief small animal work in Washington D.C.

International Veterinary medicine is a passion of Dr. Stiles. As a founding member and past President of Veterinarians without Borders (VWB) Canada, Dr. Stiles has been fortunate to work with people and animals around the world. She believes strongly in working for, and with communities in need to foster the health of animals, people, and the environments that sustain us all. In recent years, Dr Stiles has focused her attention and passion working with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association on specific topics such as One Health, Importation of Dogs, Extreme Breeding, and Use of Cannabis in Veterinary Medicine. Dr Stiles received her DVM at the Ontario Veterinary College and then fulfilled a Masters in Clinical Sciences (behaviour medicine) at the  University of Montréal in 2009. She has had the opportunity to share her experiences, knowledge and the important work of the CVMA through speaking engagements and collaborative meetings with international partners such as FVE/FECAVA, WSAVA, WVA, IVOC, and most provincial veterinary associations and species groups as well as industry partners. Dr. Stiles is a regular presence in print, television, radio and social media advocating on current national and international issues such as professional and personal wellness and the global workforce shortage. Her interest and experience in veterinary behaviour medicine and animal welfare have been highlighted at speaking engagements with a recent focus on alternatives to feline partial digit amputation (declawing) and extreme breeding. Dr. Stiles was born in Newfoundland, however since 1987 she has had the opportunity of living in Zimbabwe, Ottawa and Guelph and now Montréal. Dr Stiles is passionate about helping animals and their families by providing excellent care and compassion to all of her patients, no matter how big or small. In 2009, Dr Stiles opened her own small animal practice in the West Island of Montréal, Sherwood Park Animal Hospital. It has grown rapidly and is now staffed by six veterinarians.

Olatunji graduated from University of Ibadan in 1989 with a DVM degree and also a Masters of Veterinary Science Degree specializing in small animal soft tissue surgery in 1997. He was awarded the membership of College of Veterinary Surgeons, Nigeria in 2003. Currently, he is a fellowship student of the same college. He started his clinical practice with Petcare Animal Hospital from 1989 and exited in 2001 to establish Truthmiles Animal Hospital which commenced business on 1st July, 2004.  An ardent associations’ man, he was a part of the erstwhile Veterinary Clinicians’ Forum and assumed the secretary-ship of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) Lagos Chapter for 9 years before he became the national secretary of NVMA for another 4years (2001 to 2005). He was the 1st Vice President of the same association for another 4years terminating in 2009.  He became an Ex-officio member of the executive of the NVMA, between 2014 and 2016. Dr Nasir was the Regional Representative of Commonwealth Veterinary Association (CVA) for West Africa, a position he is held twice after an initial stint between 2007 and 2011, then 2015 to 2019 but in an acting capacity between 2012 to 2014. He is an ambassador of African Small Companion Animal Network (AFSCAN) for Nigeria. Dr Nasir is also an Assembly member in the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA).  He was awarded the Colin F Burrows Scholarship to attend the NAVC in 2016 and has attended a lot of international conferences to his credit.  He is the Vice president of the Small Animal Veterinary Association, Nigeria (SAVAN). Currently, He is the President of Commonwealth Veterinary Association (CVA) , a member of the Continuing Education Committee of WSAVA and a member of the governing board of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria.

Dr. Hilton J. Klein is a laboratory animal veterinary specialist and board certified in the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) and the European College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ECLAM). He has held many leadership positions in organized veterinary medicine and is Past President and Board member of the International Association of the Colleges of Laboratory Animal Medicine and Past Chair of the Board ofAAALAC International. He was a National Associate of the National Academy of Sciences and member of the ILAR Council and Chair of its International Committee.  Dr. Klein served as President and was a founding member of the Pennsylvania Society for Biomedical Research and held the position of Adjunct Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. He has worked at the executive leadership level for Merck Research Laboratories and other companies in biomedical research as well as in academia at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA. He specializes and has published extensively in the areas of comparative medicine and development of research models for human and animal diseases, infectious diseases, regulatory affairs, and animal facility design. For his contributions to the field of laboratory animal medicine and science and veterinary medicine, he has been recognized as a Distinguished Alumni of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.He has also received the Griffin Award and the Garvey Award from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, the Charles River Prize in Laboratory Animal Medicine, and the Cohen Award from AAALAC International for his contributions in advancing the fields of laboratory animal medicine and science and animal welfare. Hilton now serves as a corporate board member and scientific advisor to two companies and is a consultant for academia, private companies, biotech, and major pharmaceutical companies. I am excited to use my experience and training to further the mission of the WVA as a Councillor  and to work with and learn from my WVA colleagues from around the world. I am proud to be a husband and father to three adult children. I am especially proud of being a veterinarian. My outside interests include birding, wildlife photography, and golf.