MEET
Our Team
Corporate
Benjamin Wolin
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Benjamin Wolin is the president and chief executive officer of Covetrus. Previously, Wolin was the CEO and co-founder of Everyday Health, Inc., a communications and marketing platform for consumers, doctors and healthcare companies, and a member of its board of directors for 14 years. He received his B.A. in history from Bowdoin College.
View LinkedIn Profile
View LinkedIn Profile
Read more
Ajoy Karna
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Ajoy Karna leads the company’s finance, accounting, and auditing functions, as well as the corporate IT and cybersecurity teams, expanding his leadership across many of the company’s shared service and centers of excellence functions. Previously, Karna spent 10 years at Sysco Corporation, where he held a number of senior finance and strategic leadership roles, including CEO of Sysco’s $6B European Foodservice business. Prior to that, Karna worked at PepsiCo for more than 20 years where he led global finance, strategy, and mergers and acquisition teams. Karna is also a member of the Board of Directors of MYR Group (NASDAQ:MYRG), a growing electrical infrastructure firm. Ajoy is a lifelong dog lover and is currently attempting to train Dolly, the family’s rescued Beagle/Dachshund mix.
Karna has an undergraduate degree in finance from Georgetown University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University.
View LinkedIn Profile
Karna has an undergraduate degree in finance from Georgetown University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University.
View LinkedIn Profile
Read more
Amy Sanford
Global General Counsel and Chief Human Resources Officer
Amy joined Covetrus in February 2024 as Global General Counsel and Chief Human Resources Officer. Prior to joining, Amy worked at U.S. Anesthesia Partners, where she served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary.
A seasoned business executive with more than 20 years of proven results and collaborative problem solving with a customer-centric focus, Amy has extensive healthcare industry experience running Legal, Legislative Affairs, Risk Management, Shareholders Relations, Compliance, and Information Security.
She earned her Juris Doctorate from Yale Law School and her undergraduate degree from Murray State University.
Amy and her husband Shane have two daughters, Leia and Talia. Shane, Amy, Talia and Talia’s labrador Lue, live in Nashville, Tennessee.
Outside of work Amy spends much of her time running and has completed several marathons. You can often find her at Disney doing one of their endurance races.
View LinkedIn Profile
A seasoned business executive with more than 20 years of proven results and collaborative problem solving with a customer-centric focus, Amy has extensive healthcare industry experience running Legal, Legislative Affairs, Risk Management, Shareholders Relations, Compliance, and Information Security.
She earned her Juris Doctorate from Yale Law School and her undergraduate degree from Murray State University.
Amy and her husband Shane have two daughters, Leia and Talia. Shane, Amy, Talia and Talia’s labrador Lue, live in Nashville, Tennessee.
Outside of work Amy spends much of her time running and has completed several marathons. You can often find her at Disney doing one of their endurance races.
View LinkedIn Profile
Read more
Christina McPherson
Head of Global Communications and Employee Engagement
Christina serves as the Head of Global Communications and Employee Engagement for Covetrus. She joined the Company in May 2023 and oversees employee communications, executive communications, issues management and employee engagement. Christina's extensive experience in senior leadership roles at prominent companies has been instrumental in developing the Company’s communications strategy and engagement programming in support of the overall employee experience.
Before joining Covetrus, Christina held senior leadership positions at companies including Tableau, Salesforce, and Starbucks. With a bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a master's degree from The American University in Washington D.C., Christina brings more than 25 years of experience in communications.
Christina is the proud mom of a daughter who is currently a Sophomore at the University of Hawaii and the pet parent to two Golden Doodles.
View LinkedIn Profile
Before joining Covetrus, Christina held senior leadership positions at companies including Tableau, Salesforce, and Starbucks. With a bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a master's degree from The American University in Washington D.C., Christina brings more than 25 years of experience in communications.
Christina is the proud mom of a daughter who is currently a Sophomore at the University of Hawaii and the pet parent to two Golden Doodles.
View LinkedIn Profile
Read more
Link Welborn, DVM, DABVP
CHIEF VETERINARY OFFICER (CVO)
As Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) in North America, Dr. Welborn champions the role of the veterinarian in providing better care for animals, while counseling Covetrus on ways to deliver better business outcomes for veterinary practices.
Dr. Welborn is a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, certified in Canine and Feline Practice, the owner of seven hospitals accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and an AAHA past president. In addition to his clinical focus, he has a strong interest in practice management and driving the economic success of the veterinary profession. He is CEO of Veterinary Study Groups, the umbrella organization for the more than 60 Veterinary Management Groups (VMG).
He is a Veterinary Innovation Council board member and has served as AAHA Delegate to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) House of Delegates, chair of the AVMA Veterinary Economics Strategy Committee, AAHA Representative to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association and member of the AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines Task Force since its inception in 2002, serving as chair 2010-2020.
Link helped spearhead the development of the AAHA/VMG Chart of Accounts, AAHA-Accredited VMG Groups, VSG/AVMA Principles of Veterinary Data Ownership & Stewardship, and the Coalition for Connected Veterinary Care.
His awards include the 2022 AVMA Award, AVMA President’s Award, AAHA Practitioner of the Year Award, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Achievement Award, Florida Veterinary Medical Association Veterinarian of the Year Award and the first AAHA Dedicated Service Award. He is also a Distinguished Practitioner Fellow of the Veterinary Medicine Academy, National Academies of Practice.
He and wife, Laura, have two English Springer Spaniels, Jenner and Emma. Jenner would rather swim than eat and has been featured in the Underwater Dogs publications. They also share their home with two cats, Lance and Levi. Levi lost an eye to cancer a few years ago, but he can still boss the dogs around. Harper, a Blue and Gold Macaw, and Connie, a Yellow-Naped Amazon Parrot, both about 35 years old, are members of the family as well.
View LinkedIn Profile
Dr. Welborn is a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, certified in Canine and Feline Practice, the owner of seven hospitals accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and an AAHA past president. In addition to his clinical focus, he has a strong interest in practice management and driving the economic success of the veterinary profession. He is CEO of Veterinary Study Groups, the umbrella organization for the more than 60 Veterinary Management Groups (VMG).
He is a Veterinary Innovation Council board member and has served as AAHA Delegate to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) House of Delegates, chair of the AVMA Veterinary Economics Strategy Committee, AAHA Representative to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association and member of the AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines Task Force since its inception in 2002, serving as chair 2010-2020.
Link helped spearhead the development of the AAHA/VMG Chart of Accounts, AAHA-Accredited VMG Groups, VSG/AVMA Principles of Veterinary Data Ownership & Stewardship, and the Coalition for Connected Veterinary Care.
His awards include the 2022 AVMA Award, AVMA President’s Award, AAHA Practitioner of the Year Award, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Achievement Award, Florida Veterinary Medical Association Veterinarian of the Year Award and the first AAHA Dedicated Service Award. He is also a Distinguished Practitioner Fellow of the Veterinary Medicine Academy, National Academies of Practice.
He and wife, Laura, have two English Springer Spaniels, Jenner and Emma. Jenner would rather swim than eat and has been featured in the Underwater Dogs publications. They also share their home with two cats, Lance and Levi. Levi lost an eye to cancer a few years ago, but he can still boss the dogs around. Harper, a Blue and Gold Macaw, and Connie, a Yellow-Naped Amazon Parrot, both about 35 years old, are members of the family as well.
View LinkedIn Profile
Read more
North America
Matt Yordy
PRESIDENT, COVETRUS NORTH AMERICA
Matt Yordy brings more than 25 years of experience to Covetrus. Most recently, he was president, strategic accounts, and senior vice president, U.S. operating strategy at McKesson. He also led business development efforts for McKesson’s three U.S. business units, namely pharmaceutical solutions, prescription technologies and medical surgical solutions. Other positions he has held include senior vice president of external operations at Prime Therapeutics and a consultant at Towers Perrin. Yordy has a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from Creighton University, a Master of Business Administration degree from Queens University of Charlotte (N.C.), and an executive education certificate in mergers and acquisitions from the Wharton School.
Matt has two sons, Jack and Joe, and two dogs, Griffin (8) and Tucker (12).
View LinkedIn Profile
Matt has two sons, Jack and Joe, and two dogs, Griffin (8) and Tucker (12).
View LinkedIn Profile
Read more
Kelly Gottfried
Chief Commercial Officer for North America
Kelly is the Chief Commercial Officer for North America. She joined Covetrus in June 2023 and is responsible for leading North America Sales, Marketing, and Service Operations as a one unified team dedicated to delivering an exceptional customer experience for veterinarians and the pet parents they serve.
Before joining Covetrus, Kelly worked in senior leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson. She has over 20 years of experience driving industry-leading growth across many iconic brands and businesses. She is also a board member for the United Veterinary Service Organization (UVSA) and champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion, Women’s Leadership Initiatives and Environmental Sustainability
Kelly received her bachelor's degree at Penn State University and holds an MBA from Duke University.
Kelly lives in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL with her husband, David and two children, Cooper and Kate. She is also a passionate pet parent of her Golden Retriever, Brody and her cat Milo. Kelly enjoys long walks on the beach, snow skiing and spending time with family.
View LinkedIn Profile
Before joining Covetrus, Kelly worked in senior leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson. She has over 20 years of experience driving industry-leading growth across many iconic brands and businesses. She is also a board member for the United Veterinary Service Organization (UVSA) and champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion, Women’s Leadership Initiatives and Environmental Sustainability
Kelly received her bachelor's degree at Penn State University and holds an MBA from Duke University.
Kelly lives in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL with her husband, David and two children, Cooper and Kate. She is also a passionate pet parent of her Golden Retriever, Brody and her cat Milo. Kelly enjoys long walks on the beach, snow skiing and spending time with family.
View LinkedIn Profile
Read more
Europe and Latin America
Pete Perron
PRESIDENT, EUROPE AND LATIN AMERICA
Pete is an experienced leader with demonstrated success working in both the animal and human health care industries. Prior to this current role, he was president of strategic partnerships at Covetrus which involved suppliers, global procurement and the management of the Company’s North American membership organizations.
Prior to joining Covetrus, Pete worked at McKesson where we served as president of Provider Solutions. He led a team of more than 600 professionals that helped specialty providers thrive, including distribution, GPO Services and practice efficiency tools, patient care, payer and clinical support. Pete also held leadership roles within sales and marketing in the biopharmaceutical space, including Pfizer and Janssen.
He holds BA and MS degrees from the University of North Texas.
Pete has a 10-year-old rescue named Stella who is enjoying life in Madrid, Spain as she loves the sunshine.
View LinkedIn Profile
Prior to joining Covetrus, Pete worked at McKesson where we served as president of Provider Solutions. He led a team of more than 600 professionals that helped specialty providers thrive, including distribution, GPO Services and practice efficiency tools, patient care, payer and clinical support. Pete also held leadership roles within sales and marketing in the biopharmaceutical space, including Pfizer and Janssen.
He holds BA and MS degrees from the University of North Texas.
Pete has a 10-year-old rescue named Stella who is enjoying life in Madrid, Spain as she loves the sunshine.
View LinkedIn Profile
Read more
Graham Rhodes
Vice President of Finance and IT, Europe and Latin America
Graham is the Vice President of Finance & IT for the Europe & LatAm region at Covetrus. He joined Covetrus in February 2019 and is responsible for ensuring that the multi-country businesses run effectively, meeting all statutory & control requirements and providing data and insight to meet their performance goals. Graham’s extensive finance and business leadership experience gained during his extensive career supports Covetrus in the pursuit of its strategic development objectives.
Graham worked for Henry Schein Animal Health as CFO of European Animal Health before the merger. He has previously held leadership positions at Air Products & Chemicals Inc. both in Finance & Business and was Global CFO for AB Sugar.
Graham holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Loughborough University and is a qualified Chartered Management Accountant.
View LinkedIn Profile
Graham worked for Henry Schein Animal Health as CFO of European Animal Health before the merger. He has previously held leadership positions at Air Products & Chemicals Inc. both in Finance & Business and was Global CFO for AB Sugar.
Graham holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Loughborough University and is a qualified Chartered Management Accountant.
View LinkedIn Profile
Read more
Gail Davidson
Vice President of HR for our Europe and Latin America
Gail is the Vice President of HR for our Europe and LatAm Region. She joined Covetrus in June 2018 and is responsible for end-to-end HR strategy, operations, and the enterprise Talent Management function. While at Covetrus, Gail has held many roles, such as Human Resources Director, Global Talent Manager Director, and Northern Europe HR Director. Gail’s extensive experience in HR has enabled her to support Covetrus in strategic development.
Before joining Covetrus, Gail held leadership positions in HR at Johnson Matthey, Henry Schein Animal Health, Royal Bank of Scotland and Scottish Power. With over 25 years of experience in human resources, Gail is a chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development.
Married to Andy and proud pet-parent to Archie the cocker spaniel, Gail enjoys time outdoors hiking, running and skiing in the winter.
View LinkedIn Profile
Before joining Covetrus, Gail held leadership positions in HR at Johnson Matthey, Henry Schein Animal Health, Royal Bank of Scotland and Scottish Power. With over 25 years of experience in human resources, Gail is a chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development.
Married to Andy and proud pet-parent to Archie the cocker spaniel, Gail enjoys time outdoors hiking, running and skiing in the winter.
View LinkedIn Profile
Read more
Diana Leister
Vice President of Legal, International, and Deputy General Counsel
Diana is the Vice President of Legal, International, and Deputy General Counsel at Covetrus. She joined Covetrus in November 2019 and is responsible for all legal matters and leads our international legal team at Covetrus outside the USA. With her almost 20 years of experience in legal, Diana supports Covetrus’ strategic development.
Before joining Covetrus, Diana held positions as a regional legal counsel at one of the top 100 US family-owned consumer goods manufacturer and direct selling company, in the renewal energy sector and at a multinational M-Dax listed retail chain, with broad geographic responsibilities, including Europe, Asia, Africa, LATAM. She is admitted to the German Bar. Diana attended Universität des Saarlandes and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München in Germany as well as Paris-Lodron Universität Salzburg, Austria. She received her Master of Laws degree from Durham University, UK.
Diana is the proud mom of twin boys and lives with them and her husband near Munich, Germany, still discussing whether they are going to give a home to a dog or a cat.
View LinkedIn Profile
Before joining Covetrus, Diana held positions as a regional legal counsel at one of the top 100 US family-owned consumer goods manufacturer and direct selling company, in the renewal energy sector and at a multinational M-Dax listed retail chain, with broad geographic responsibilities, including Europe, Asia, Africa, LATAM. She is admitted to the German Bar. Diana attended Universität des Saarlandes and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München in Germany as well as Paris-Lodron Universität Salzburg, Austria. She received her Master of Laws degree from Durham University, UK.
Diana is the proud mom of twin boys and lives with them and her husband near Munich, Germany, still discussing whether they are going to give a home to a dog or a cat.
View LinkedIn Profile
Read more
Asia Pacific
Simon Hellams
Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific
Simon serves as Senior Vice President of the APAC Region and joined Covetrus in February 2020. He is dedicated to building high-performing teams that are united by a passion for customer satisfaction and a commitment to accountability. His focus is on developing agile, curious teams that drive mutual and sustainable value for both customers and business partners. With nearly four years at Covetrus, Simon has played a crucial role in the significant growth of the APAC business, drawing on his extensive experience across multinational suppliers, wholesale distribution, and omni-channel animal health.
Before joining Covetrus, Simon held executive positions at Nutrien, Australia's largest rural distributor, and served in various business unit and director roles at Boehringer Ingelheim, Merial, and Ancare Australia. With over 25 years in the animal health industry, Simon holds an Agricultural Science degree and an MBA.
View LinkedIn Profile
Before joining Covetrus, Simon held executive positions at Nutrien, Australia's largest rural distributor, and served in various business unit and director roles at Boehringer Ingelheim, Merial, and Ancare Australia. With over 25 years in the animal health industry, Simon holds an Agricultural Science degree and an MBA.
View LinkedIn Profile
Read more
Michael Went
Vice President of Finance Asia Pacific
Michael is the Vice President - Finance for our APAC Region. He is passionate about partnering throughout the business shaping strategy, goals and initiatives to deliver an enhanced customer experience and building a stronger business. Having been with Covetrus since 2006, Michael has contributed to the transformation from a group of independent locally focused acquisitions to the APAC business we have today by applying a broad understanding of the day-to-day operations of Covetrus along with his skills of financial management, planning & project management.
Prior to Covetrus Michael worked in senior financial roles across varying businesses, is a CPA and holds a Business degree. Outside of Covetrus life, Michael enjoys time with his two teenage daughters as well as hiking, motorcycling, and playing cowboy on his small farm.
View LinkedIn Profile
Prior to Covetrus Michael worked in senior financial roles across varying businesses, is a CPA and holds a Business degree. Outside of Covetrus life, Michael enjoys time with his two teenage daughters as well as hiking, motorcycling, and playing cowboy on his small farm.
View LinkedIn Profile
Read more
Kerrie McDonald
Senior Director HR, Asia Pacific
Kerrie is the HR Leader for our APAC Region. She is committed to driving strategic, innovative people solutions and cultivating exceptional, customized employee experiences that help shape our team across the APAC region. Having been with Covetrus since March 2022, Kerrie’s background and experience from working in a number of countries and across multiple global and local organisations has enabled her to create bespoke initiatives across the teams to support regional requirements and supporting the leadership team with meaningful change. Her areas of passion and expertise include but are not limited to, facilitation of organizational transformation, enhancing the performance and culture of our various teams and improving employee engagement, leadership capabilities and retention of our talented team members.
Before joining Covetrus, Kerrie worked in senior leadership roles at Queensland X-Ray, Herron Todd White, Vita Group and Qatar National Bank. She has over 15 years of global HR leadership experience. Kerrie holds a Post Grad Certificate in HR from QUT and is currently working towards a Masters of Business Psychology. When not at Covetrus, Kerrie enjoys spending time with her two beautiful (somewhat feisty) teenagers and two very furry Shelties.
View LinkedIn Profile
Before joining Covetrus, Kerrie worked in senior leadership roles at Queensland X-Ray, Herron Todd White, Vita Group and Qatar National Bank. She has over 15 years of global HR leadership experience. Kerrie holds a Post Grad Certificate in HR from QUT and is currently working towards a Masters of Business Psychology. When not at Covetrus, Kerrie enjoys spending time with her two beautiful (somewhat feisty) teenagers and two very furry Shelties.
View LinkedIn Profile
Read more