Debra Hamilton, principal of Hamilton Law and Mediation and Hamilton ADR North Carolina, is a 1983 graduate of Cardozo Law School and was admitted to the NY Second Department Bar in 1984. She specializes in alternative dispute resolution for animal-related conflicts within the pet service industry. A best-selling author and international speaker, she hosts the “Why Do Pets Matter” podcast and The MAAP Plan community calls. Major media outlets including The New York Times and Wall Street Journal regularly seek her expertise on animal-related mediation. She breeds and shows Irish Setters and English Cockers under the Rumraisin prefix.

Dr. Kathy Gervais is an accomplished veterinarian with a deep commitment to both domestic and wildlife animal care. She obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Animal Science from the University of California, Davis, and went on to attend the University of Minnesota Veterinary School. Dr. Gervais is a founding member of Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS), an organization in San Francisco that assists individuals with AIDS and other disabilities in keeping their animal companions. In addition, Dr. Gervais is featured in the documentary “The Weight They Carry,” highlighting her multifaceted contributions to the veterinary world while highlighting the need for veterinary mental health care. She is a founding member of the crucial program Veterinary Mental Health Support (VMHS). Dr. Gervais is a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation. She volunteers regularly in Namibia with the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) and is an active member of the Wildlife Conservation Network.

Dr. Nir Ben-Ari’s deep-rooted passion for animal care began in his youth, where he was responsible for a diverse range of pets. This sense of fulfillment and responsibility has shaped his career, which spans across the globe, from the Galápagos Islands to Israel and the United States. After spending the first eight years of his career as an emergency room clinician, Dr. Ben-Ari went on to found PetMedic, the first pure urgent care clinic for pets in the Northeast. While serving as its chief medical officer, PetMedic expanded to over 10 locations along the East coast. Outside of his professional work, Dr. Ben-Ari volunteers at a low-cost clinic, and enjoys yoga, surfing, and spending time with his wife, two sons, and dog.

Lissa Capitano is a passionate advocate for mental health in the veterinary profession, blending over 20 years of experience with a mission to make a difference. As a certified compassion fatigue professional and a long-time NOMV Resources Committee volunteer, she provides support to veterinary professionals in crisis. Based in Charlotte, NC, she shares her home with her husband Jack, her kids Charlie and Max, two English Bulldogs Lola and Booger, and an orange cat named Little Kitty. When she’s not working, you’ll find her listening to podcasts, searching for fabulous shoes, playing extreme Sudoku, or collecting sparkly jewelry.