More bios will be added when available.

Laura Adant

Speaker (In-Person Event) ‒ Breeding Healthy Pets: The Belgian approach

Laura graduated as a veterinarian from the University of Liège in 2022, driven by a lifelong passion for dogs and dog breeding. During her studies, she developed a strong interest in animal genetics, which quickly became her chosen field of specialization. In 2022, she began a doctoral program at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Merelbeke, where her research focuses on the activities and development of the Clinical Genetics Advisory Center for Companion Animals (AKGG).

Through this work, she supports pet owners and breeders in making informed decisions aimed at improving the long-term health and welfare of their animals. Since July 1st, 2025, Laura has served as project manager of the “Breeding Healthy Pets” initiative, a project commissioned by the Flemish government to reduce the prevalence of hereditary diseases in dogs and cats.

Affiliation: University of Ghent

Christina Almtun

Speaker (In-Person Event) ‒ People, pets, planet. Agria’s winning formula as Europe’s largest pet insurer

Affiliation: Head of Business Area Europe

Jan-Peter Bach

Speaker (Online Event) ‒ Updates on extreme traits, and vision forward

Dr. Jan-Peter Bach studied Veterinary Medicine in Hannover, Germany, where he also completed his doctoral degree. He worked for a total of nine years as a veterinarian and research associate at the Small Animal Clinic of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover. His main areas of focus were Internal Medicine and Cardiology.

He subsequently worked in a small animal practice before joining the Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen (VDH, German Kennel Club) in 2022 as Scientific Advisor for Animal Welfare and Animal Health.

Dr. Bach has loved dogs since childhood—whether mixed-breed or purebred—and currently shares his home with a one-year-old Havanese.

Affiliation: VDH (German Kennel Club)

Lauren Bennett

Speaker (In-Person Event) ‒ Influencing Choice: Marketing's Impact on Pet Welfare and Breeding Practices

Lauren Bennett is a Science and Policy Officer in the Companion Animals Department at the RSPCA. Her work focuses on addressing the harms caused by breeding for aesthetics over health and welfare. Using robust scientific evidence, Lauren advocates for government and corporate legislative and policy change.

Lauren has an MSc in animal welfare, behaviour, ethics and law and was a senior lecturer in veterinary nursing before joining the RSPCA.

Affiliation: RSPCA

Arianna Bionda

Speaker (Online Event) ‒ From biodiversity to population management: A genomic roadmap for a modern dog breeding
Speaker (In-Person Event) ‒ Towards integrating genomic and traditional approaches for dog populations: An Italian experience

Arianna Bionda is a veterinarian (DVM) and holds a PhD from the University of Milan. Her research interests lie in animal genomics and biodiversity across domestic species.

Her work in canine genomics includes the characterization of genetic diversity and population structure, the study of biodiversity and local breed characterization, and the identification of genomic regions and specific variants associated with traits of interest and inherited conditions.

Affiliation: University of Milan

Ashleigh Brown

Speaker (Online Event) ‒ Launching a multi-stakeholder human behaviour change programme to address extreme conformation in companion animals

Ashleigh Brown has an academic background in applied ethology, animal welfare science, education and international development, and has worked in scientific advisory and project management roles within the animal charity sector for over 15 years.

In addition to her work with the RSPCA, she has been an animal welfare consultant; a trustee for wildlife and conservation charities; a lecturer and writer on animal welfare topics; and a member of the International Society for Applied Ethology, the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour, and the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare.

Ashleigh has worked or travelled in more than 95 countries, and values opportunities to learn from diverse global cultures.

Affiliation: RSPCA

Rosalind Craddock

Speaker (Online Event) ‒ A method for estimating mutation frequencies based on DNA test results in pedigree dogs

Rosalind Craddock is a PhD student at the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, supported by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust and the University of Edinburgh. Ros’ research focuses on developing tools to enhance population monitoring of disease-causing alleles in pedigree dogs.

She earned a first-class honours BSc in Agricultural Science, with a specialisation in animal science, where she discovered her passion for genetics and its role in improving health, welfare, and breed conservation in livestock and companion animals. Since joining the Highlander Lab, Ros has gained expertise through collaborations with leading experts and through courses in the UK, US, and China.

In 2025, she presented her research at three conferences, including workshops on population genetics and companion animal health. Outside of academia, Ros enjoys cooking and spending time with her four-legged friends, including dogs, cats, horses, goats, and cows.

Affiliation: The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh

Paola Crepaldi

Speaker (Online Event) ‒ From biodiversity to population management: A genomic roadmap for a modern dog breeding
Speaker (In-Person Event) ‒ Towards integrating genomic and traditional approaches for dog populations: An Italian experience

Paola Crepaldi is an Associate Professor of Animal Breeding and Genetics at the University of Milan, working on genomic biodiversity in farm and companion animal species.

Her research encompasses the genomic characterization of Italian dog breeds, the identification of genetic variants associated with traits and health related conditions, and the integration of traditional animal breeding approaches with genomic tools to support sustainable breeding and population management.

Affiliation: University of Milan

Monica Dreijer

Speaker (Online Event) ‒ Enriching life with dogs through research and insights

Affiliation: Head of Business support and Sustainability Agria Group

Charlotte Funck Ekelund

Speaker (In-Person Event) ‒ People, pets, planet. Agria’s winning formula as Europe’s largest pet insurer

Affiliation: CMO Agria Group, Agria Djurförsäkring

Anne-Charlotte Möller Koivisto

Speaker (Online Event) ‒ Enriching life with dogs through research and insights

Affiliation: Head Veterinarian, Business Area Sweden, Agria Djurförsäkring

Helle Friis Proschowsky

Speaker (In-Person Event) ‒ Boosters and barriers – understanding health screening behaviour among breeders

Helle Friis Proschowsky is an associate professor at the University of Copenhagen's Department for Veterinary and Animal Sciences. She is a veterinarian by training and received her PhD degree in 2003 with a thesis entitled "Genetic and Epidemiological studies of Danish dog populations".

From 2003 to 2010, she was employed first as assistant professor and then associate professor in Animal Genetics. Her primary research field was molecular genetic methods for the diagnosis of hereditary diseases and as a tool for population genetic studies of dog populations. In the period 2010 to 2023, she was employed as a special consultant and genetic counsellor at the Danish Kennel Club and helped developing a formal breeder’s education.

In 2023, she returned to the University of Copenhagen in her current position as associate professor. She is affiliated with the Centre for Companion Animal Welfare, and her primary research area is welfare in dogs. She has been involved in several projects concerning the health of dog breeds with extreme conformation such as brachycephaly and is currently working on the potential welfare problems related to the use of cages or crates for dogs.

Helle holds a position as independent expert in the EU Platform on Animal Welfare. This is an interactive network which aims at promoting dialogue among competent authorities, businesses, civil society organisations and scientists on animal welfare issues that are relevant for the Union.

Affiliation: University of Copenhagen

Dr. Joanna Ilska

Speaker (Online Event) ‒ From Population Analyses to Collaborative Pathways in Genetic Diversity Management

Joanna has always been interested in animals and more specifically, the power, complexity and ethics of breeding animals to suit human needs. This has led to her completing her first degree in BSc Applied Biosciences (Animal Science) in 2008, followed by an MSc in Quantitative Genetics and Genome Analysis at the University of Edinburgh in 2009. In 2014 she completed her PhD in Genomic Prediction of Breeding Values in Broiler Chickens at the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh.

Following her PhD, she worked as a Research Fellow on a number of projects in a wide range of species, before joining The Kennel Club in 2021.

Her main expertise lies in prediction of breeding values for complex traits, using large scale genomic data such as whole genome sequences. In private life, Joanna is a “dog person”, keenly involved in dog training and dog sports with her Russian Black Terrier, Falka.

Affiliation: Genetics Research Manager at The Kennel Club (UK)

Charlotte McNamara

Theme Leader ‒ Theme #1: Supply and Demand
Speaker (In-Person Event) ‒ Kennel Clubs: How do we thrive in a changing canine landscape?

I have worked at the Royal Kennel Club for 14 years managing our health and breeding programmes and notably supporting the introduction of the Royal Kennel Club/University of Cambridge Respiratory Function Grading Scheme(2018), The Royal Kennel Club CKCS Heart Scheme(2019), The Royal Kennel Club IVDD Scheme for Dachshunds(2021) and introducing the Breeding for Health Framework(2026).

This is an indication of my passion and drive to enable dog breeders to adapt and evolve their breeding programmes by utilising evidence-led breeding tools and translating the science in a meaningful and impactful way for our breeding community. 

I am the third generation of my family to have been involved in showing, breeding, and exhibiting pedigree dogs and have been fortunate enough to blend my professional skillset with my passion. It is a privilege to work for the Royal Kennel Club and to be a small part of its rich history and to ensure we can continue to welcome people into our community and celebrate owning and breeding pedigree dogs.

Affiliation: The Royal Kennel Club

Dr. Alison Skipper

Theme Leader ‒ Theme #4: Genetic Diversity
Speaker (Online Event) ‒ Updates on extreme traits, and vision forward continues; Breeding for Health Framework

Alison is a vet with a background in first opinion companion animal practice and a PhD in the history of breed-related disease in pedigree dogs. She has extensive experience of pedigree dog health work and has worked as a researcher at the Royal Veterinary College. She is now Veterinary and Research Advisor at the Royal Kennel Club.

Affiliation: The Royal Kennel Club