RVN, Cert IV VN, BA(Hons)(International Studies), LLB, Grad Dip (Legal Practice), NMAS Cat Walker is a highly engaging speaker with a wealth of experience in the veterinary sector. With a past life in performing arts, her skills as a keynote speaker shine through as she takes an audience through sessions with an interactive, approachable yet extremely professional style. As a Registered Veterinary Nurse with dual legal and mediation qualifications, a background in veterinary practice management and operations, including running a successful practice of her own and managing a team of 30+ at an emergency veterinary practice, Cat is acutely aware of the impact small changes can make on a practice and the way it operates. She has also seen first hand the impact issues can have if left “for later” - including patient care, staffing and wellbeing issues, regulatory guidelines, and systems. As the creator and host of two veterinary podcasts Cat has her finger on the pulse of matters affecting the veterinary industry on a global level, and the skills to critically analyse these with a proactive mindset. Cat uses her experience as a multidisciplinary mediator to work with practice owners, managers and their teams to provide objective advice and support so that they can understand, prioritise and confront issues before they result in resignations, loss of clients, negative feedback and ultimately devalue the practice. She currently holds an advisory role as Council Member on the Australian Veterinary Palliative Care Advisory Council and has previously held roles within the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia on Editorial and State Division Committees. She is a Professional Member of the Resolution Institute.