Team
Innovating to Help Pets Live Better Lives
Meet Our Team
Haley Israelson
CEO
Haley Israelson, CEO of ElleVet Sciences, leads with a passion for science and innovation, striving to make a lasting impact on animal health. She began her career in public accounting before moving into venture capital, building a strong foundation in business strategy and financial leadership before transitioning to operations, where she thrives on scaling and optimizing companies. Since joining ElleVet in 2019, Haley has been instrumental in guiding the company’s growth. She remains focused on driving innovation, strengthening the veterinarian-pet parent relationship, and expanding ElleVet’s industry impact. A lifelong animal lover, Haley grew up surrounded by pets and believes in the profound bond between animals and their humans. Outside of work, you’ll find her exploring the Maine outdoors with her dog, Bimini.
John Binkiewicz
Director, Veterinary Sales
John’s career spans over 25 years in the animal health space and he leads our veterinary sales team. He has been with ElleVet Sciences for over five years including past positions in sales and sales leadership and has great affection for the veterinary profession. John is also a U.S. Army veteran. After enjoying two loving Golden Retrievers, John and his wife decided to ‘downsize’ to a mini-longhaired Dachshund, a loving ‘mini-Golden Retriever’ in John’s words!
Stacey Evans
VP General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Stacey Evans is the Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at ElleVet Sciences. She provides innovative strategies that result in market expansion, revenue growth, and risk mitigation.
Stacey was a member of the United States Department of Agriculture Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Animal Health. She was a federal agency ethics official and legislative counsel to a federal agency. Stacey also chaired the American Bar Association’s Animal Law Committee. She holds a JD from Tulane Law School. Stacey’s love of driving dog teams inspired her to adopt two Alaskan Malamutes from an animal rescue.
Austin Fish
Director, Human Resources
Austin leads the global human resources and people functions for ElleVet, where he draws upon extensive experience garnered from diverse settings including global animal health organizations, startups, and publicly traded companies. Austin earned his BS from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, where he double majored in Business Management and Human Resources Management. A native of Maine, he enjoys exploring all New England has to offer with his family, friends, and mini goldendoodle, Fitz.
Katie Houser
Senior Director, Marketing, Customer Experience and Learning + Development
Katie leads the Marketing, Customer Experience, and Learning + Development teams at ElleVet Sciences. A lifelong animal lover, Katie’s initial dream was to become a veterinarian. With a passion for building and growing impactful brands, Katie is thrilled to collaborate with scientific leaders in animal health to improve the health and happiness of pets. Katie graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Colby College with a degree in Neuroscience. Outside of work, Katie enjoys skiing, sailing, and spending time with Pippa, her family’s Scottish Terrier.
Jenn Jipson
Director, Finance
Jenn leads the Finance function for ElleVet and brings a vast array of knowledge onboard with her. Prior to joining ElleVet, Jenn has served as a finance professional in a diverse group of industries including manufacturing, recycling, events, digital media, and property management. She earned her Master of Business Administration along with a Master of Accountancy from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, and a BS in Accounting from the University of Southern Maine. Just as many Mainers do, Jenn enjoys being outdoors and can usually be found skiing, kayaking, cycling, or hiking when she’s not at work.
Jordan Theriault
Senior Operations Manager
Jordan Theriault leads ElleVet’s Operations Team, managing fulfillment, production, and supply chain functions. Prior to ElleVet, he worked as a design engineer in the pulp and paper industry, gaining expertise in process optimization. Jordan holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maine. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking with his dog, Onyx, and spending quality time with his family.
Dr. Joseph Wakshlag
DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Nutrition) DACVSMR and Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Joseph Wakshlag is Professor of Nutrition and Sports Medicine at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. He received his Bachelors and Master of Science degrees from Montclair State College in his home state of New Jersey and attended Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine for his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Over the years, he has been very active in benchtop and clinical studies at Cornell and has authored over a dozen book chapters and well over 100 peer reviewed publications. Dr. Wakshlag conducted the first ever clinical trial on dogs using ElleVet Hemp and continues to lead the way in hemp research. In his free time, he enjoys fishing in saltwater, lakes and streams!
Shaun White
Senior Director, Software Engineering & IT
Shaun White is a seasoned technology leader with a passion for driving innovation across software development, UI/UX, data engineering, and IT. As the head of these functions at ElleVet Sciences, he is dedicated to implementing cutting-edge technology solutions that enhance pet health and improve veterinary care.
With a strong foundation in technology and business, Shaun holds a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from Bentley University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. His expertise lies in leveraging technology to streamline operations, improve user experiences, and advance scientific solutions in the pet health industry. Shaun is a sports and fitness enthusiast, spending much of his free time watching and playing baseball or in the gym lifting weights.
“Ellevet Mobility Chews are the best Hemp product on the market. They work and my dog loves them!”
– Kate Lord & Penny
Advisory Board
Steve Adair, DVM
MS, Diplomate American College of Veterinary Surgery, Diplomate American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation
Dr. Adair earned his DVM from Auburn University. He spent two years in private equine practice and completed a surgery residency at the University of Tennessee. He is presently a Professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville and is Director of the Equine Performance Medicine and Rehabilitation Center.
Dr. Adair is board certified as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and is a charter Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. He is also certified in Animal Chiropractic by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association and is a Certified Equine Rehabilitation Practioner.
Dr. Adair’s primary research areas include Equine Musculoskeletal conditions, Regenerative Medicine and Equine Rehabilitation.
Leilani Alvarez, DVM
DACVSMR, CVA, CCRT, CVCHM
Dr. Alvarez is the Director of Integrative and Rehabilitative Medicine at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. She is a board-certified diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation and certified in veterinary acupuncture, canine rehabilitation, and advanced Chinese herbal medicine. She is the 2017 recipient of the prestigious John Sherman Award for Excellence in Veterinary Rehabilitation.
Lindsay Elam, DVM
MPH, DACVSMR
Dr. Lindsay Elam is an Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Medicine and Mobility at Colorado State University. She concurrently obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Public Health Degrees as well as post-graduate specialty training at University of Florida. Dr. Elam has been involved in a clinical trial evaluating ElleVet HEMP in post-operative dogs and serves as ElleVet’s Director of Pharmacovigilance.
Dr. Stephen Ettinger
DVM, DACVIM (SAIM, Cardiology)
Dr. Ettinger graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University in 1964. He received specialty training in Cardiology at the Bronx Veteran’s Administration Hospital and the Animal Medical Center. He practiced at the AMC until moving to California where he co-founded the Berkeley Veterinary Medical Group, the first group veterinary specialty practice in the United States. Dr. Ettinger served as Chief Medical Officer of PetDRx, was medical director of the California Animal Hospital Veterinary Specialty Group and was an elected member of the Board of Trustees of Cornell University. Dr. Ettinger has been the author and editor of the Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine since 1975. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology and Small Animal Internal Medicine) and is an Emeritus Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association. He is a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from both the ACVIM College of Veterinary Cardiology and the VCA Emergency and Veterinary Specialty Group.
Dr. Gabriel A. Garcia, DVM
DACVIM (Neurology)
Dr. Gabriel Garcia is Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology at University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Garcia has been involved in a clinical trial evaluating the use of ElleVet HEMP in epileptic dogs.
Dr. Marc Gurtman, JD, DVM
JD, DVM
After three years of uninspired practice as a New York City attorney, Dr. Gurtman tired of working with animals and enrolled in the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. A 1998 graduate, Dr. Gurtman is an owner of the Towne Line Veterinary Group, a six doctor practice on Long Island.
Andris J. Kaneps, DVM
PhD, DACVS, DACVSMR
Dr. Andris (“Andy”) Kaneps offers over 40 years of experience in equine surgery and sports medicine as a veterinarian, horse owner, and competitor.
A graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Kaneps completed his internship at Colorado State University and surgical residency at The Ohio State University. He completed his doctoral research at the J.D. Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory, University of California-Davis. He is a co-founder and prior president of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Dr. Andy’s practice, Kaneps Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery was established in 2012 and is based in Beverly, Massachusetts.
Dr. Bruce Kornreich, DVM
PhD, DVM
Bruce Kornreich received his DVM from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1992, and after one year in private clinical practice, returned as Cornell’s first veterinary cardiology resident. He received board certification in veterinary cardiology in 1997 and was awarded his Ph.D. in pharmacology in 2005. After his time as a senior research associate in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Cornell, he became a member of the faculty in its Department of Clinical Sciences in 2007. He was appointed associate director of the Cornell Feline Health Center in 2012 and became director of the Center in 2019.
Daniel G. McChesney, PhD
MS. PhD, Cell and Molecular Biology
Dr. McChesney received his MS and Ph.D. from the Medical College of Georgia. Upon completing his graduate work, he entered the Army as an Officer and medical researcher. He joined FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, Office of Surveillance and Compliance in 1990 and spent 28 years working on a variety of issues associated with animal food and drug safety. For the last 14 years of his career at CVM, he was a Senior Executive and Director of CVM’s Office of Surveillance and Compliance.
Kristen Messenger, DVM
PhD, DACVAA, DACVCP
Kristen Messenger is an Assistant Professor of Pharmacology at North Carolina State University. She is board-certified in both anesthesia and clinical pharmacology and currently works with each of these specialty services at NCSU. Dr. Messenger’s research interests are in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of analgesic and anesthetic drugs, with a special focus on NSAIDS and opioids in companion animals.
Michael Petty, DVM
CVPP, CVMA, CAAPM
Dr. Petty is the owner of Arbor Pointe Veterinary Hospital and the Animal Pain Center. Dr. Petty is the past president of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management. He has published articles in veterinary journals and serves as an advisor to several pharmaceutical companies on topics of pain management. He has been the Investigator/ Veterinarian in over 12 FDA pilot and pivotal studies for pain management products.
Lisa Radosta, DVM
DACVB
Dr. Radosta graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. She completed a residency in Behavioral Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, where she was awarded the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists Resident research award two years in a row. Dr. Radosta is the owner of Florida Veterinary Behavior Service, a specialty behavior practice in southeast Florida, and co-owns Dog Nerds, an online educational resource for owners whose pets have behavior disorders. She has co-authored several books and has published articles in multiple veterinary journals.
Domenico Santoro
DVM, DrSc, PhD, DECVD, DACVD, DACVM
Dr. Domenico Santoro is an Associate Professor of Dermatology at the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He earned his DVM from the University of Naples “Federico II” in 2001 and his PhD in Veterinary Clinical Sciences from the University of Illinois in 2013. Dr. Santoro’s research focuses on host-microbe interactions in canine atopic dermatitis and the cutaneous immune response in dogs with leishmaniasis. He is a founding member of the International Committee on Allergic Diseases in Animals (ICADA) and serves as a clinical dermatologist at the University of Florida’s Veterinary Hospital.
Wayne Schwark, DVM
MS, PhD Pharmacology
Dr. Schwark initiated his Doctor of Philosophy studies at University of Ottawa Medical School and received his PhD in Pharmacology in 1970. Working as an Assistant Professorship at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, he progressed through the academic ranks and became full Professor of Pharmacology in 1987. After 41 years of teaching, Dr. Schwark retired and is currently an Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology in the Department of Molecular Medicine at Cornell.
Dave Tittle
BVetMed CertVA (WVA&CPM) MRCVS Adv Practitioner in Vet Anesthesia
Dave Tittle qualified from the RVC, London in 2000 and has spent most of his veterinary career in private practice in coastal North Devon. In 2010, he passed the RCVS Certificate examinations in Veterinary Anesthesia and was subsequently awarded RCVS Advanced Practitioner Status in 2015. He attained his GPCert(WVA&CPM) from the ESVPS in 2018. Dr. Tittle runs referral chronic pain clinics utilizing a variety of techniques in addition to his anesthesia and analgesia commitments.
Dr. Joseph Wakshlag, DVM
PhD, DACVN, DACVSMR. Chair of the Advisory Board
Dr. Joseph Wakshlag is Professor of Nutrition and Sports Medicine at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Wakshlag conducted the first-ever clinical trial on dogs using ElleVet Hemp and continues to lead the way in hemp research in new areas of study.
