The Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association (WVMA) has selected Jo-ell Carson as its executive director.
“I am eager to connect with the wonderful people of the WVMA,” says Carson. “I have the utmost respect for the veterinary profession and how it influences the well-being of our animals, our lives and our world – reaching from the pets we love to irreplaceable research to the agricultural side that sources our food supply. I am excited to find new ways to evolve and grow this organization to create additional success for our members.”
Carson has worked in marketing and communications leadership roles for more than 20 years setting and executing strategy to meet business goals. Her experience includes increasing the voice and engagement for the advocacy work at the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, leading a team at a four-state region of the American Red Cross, setting and executing public and government relations strategy for Charter Communications, enhancing corporate communications at American Family Insurance and most recently, leading the brand evolution of a 100-year old Dane County real estate broker. She has lived all but six months of her life in various parts of Wisconsin including Dane, Jefferson, Dodge, Eau Claire and Marathon Counties with professional responsibilities that have reached throughout the state. Her broader perspective of animal well-being and how it connects to human well-being began with the values her father instilled from his agricultural upbringing.
“The goal of the search process was to find a candidate who not only possessed experience with associations, boards and leadership, but who also had strong skills in marketing and communication,” says WVMA President, Dr. Tom Bach. “We were fortunate to interview many talented individuals. We decided that Jo-ell Carson was the best candidate to lead the association into the future. She is personable, creative and energetic. The WVMA has a wonderful staff, excellent partners, and a new leader with many skills and ideas. I am very excited about our future.”
Carson currently resides in a Madison suburb with her daughter, Julia; her son, Jonah; and their (suspected) flat-coat retriever, Bailee, who joined their family from an Arkansas shelter. She will begin her role as WVMA executive director on October 30.