Dr. Niccole Bruno, is the CEO & Founder of blendvet™, a veterinary hospital certification program in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). As an Afro-Latina, Dr. Bruno's navigation into veterinary medicine has had its share of challenges. During her career, the experiences of racism, misogyny, and stereotypical behaviors, caused Dr. Bruno to develop a sense of disengagement from a profession she once dearly loved. Nevertheless, her perseverance prevailed and her passion for veterinary medicine resumed when she was offered the role of Medical Director, for a veterinary hospital in Long Island, NY. For roughly eight years, her sincere and dedicated service as a hospital leader in both NY and Houston fueled her heartfelt endeavors to ensure a culture of diversity and inclusiveness.

Today, Dr. Bruno continues in her efforts of diversity, equity, and inclusion through speaking engagements, mentorship, and building the pathway of BIPOC students (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) into the profession. Following completion of the Purdue University and Inclusion program in 2020, her awareness, continual exploration, and study into the diversity deficiencies of our profession, ignited her vision to create blendvet™.

Blendvet was launched in December 2021 at Fetch DVM 360’s San Diego conference where a track was offered in DEIB.  In the Fall of 2022, blendvet’s program officially launched at Lincoln Memorial University Masters of Clinical Care, a program for veterinary technicians. In 2023, Blendvet™ launched its first hospital certification program with Rarebreed Veterinary Partners. In addition to veterinary educational training, blendvet has executed several pathway events at veterinary conferences such as the American Association of Animal Hospitals (AAHA)and at the North Atlantic Veterinary Conference (NAVC) VMX 2023.  

Dr. Bruno currently serves as an Advisory Board member for Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine and Pawsibillities, a mentorship platform for BIPOC students interested in veterinary medicine.  In her spare time, she enjoys activities with her family, traveling, her Peloton, football, and binge-watching her favorite shows.  

Dr. Genine Ervin-Smith is a Los Angeles, California native, and a 2007 graduate of Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. After veterinary school, she continued in her studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, to receive a Master of Public Health degree in Environmental and Global Health Sciences.

Her veterinary journey has spanned across the avenues of clinical practice, investigative analysis, community activism, and leadership as a multi-unit hospital Director of Veterinary Quality for Banfield Pet Hospitals in Tennessee, Alabama, and Arkansas, Research & Development veterinarian with Virbac US, and Chief of Staff for Veterinary Centers of America, Inc. (VCA).

While the majority of Dr. Ervin-Smiths career has been positive, she has also witnessed and been exposed to nepotism and systemic disempowerment among multiple levels of veterinary culture. Despite the continued stereotypes, manipulation, and prejudice she’s endured from colleagues and clientele, she continues toward changing the hospital climate for the better and focuses on her accolades & accomplishments as reminders of achievable success.

Dr. Ervin-Smith has an infinite love for traveling and the arts, and she and her husband currently reside within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, enjoying every opportunity to mentor others and create opportunities for growth and change!