The 8th Annual Pet Connect is the must-attend event for pet industry leaders—from startup pups to big dogs.
Known for its intimate networking, this is where C-suite execs, investors, and innovators come to sniff out the biggest trends, make meaningful connections, and unleash new growth.
Born from the Petcare Innovation Series, Pet Connect delivers insightful talks, strategic matchmaking, and real conversations that help pet businesses of all sizes thrive.
Core topics for 2025:
- Scaling & Exit Strategy
- Go-to-Market & E-commerce
- Pet Tech Innovation
- Veterinary Workforce Solutions
Join us in Beverly Hills to sit, stay, and lead the future of pet.

Speaker Hall of Fame

Dr Molly McAllister
Chief Medical Officer
Mars Veterinary Health

Dr Molly McAllister
Chief Medical Officer
Mars Veterinary Health

Bruce Truman
President and Founder
BLT Technology & Innovation Group

Bruce Truman
President and Founder
BLT Technology & Innovation Group

Candise Goodwin
Founder
Outlier Advisors

Candise Goodwin
Founder
Outlier Advisors
Candise Goodwin is a recognized leader in the pet industry, with over 15 years of experience helping companies navigate market complexity, scale solutions, and deliver measurable impact. Her background spans pivotal roles at industry leaders including Merck Animal Health, Vets First Choice, VIP Petcare/PETIQ, and Petco, where she led major digital transformations and launched numerous high-profile, industry-changing growth initiatives.
Candise has dedicated her career to understanding the challenges and opportunities within the pet industry. She has worked closely with retailers, veterinary groups, pet technology companies, product and service providers, and pharmacies - developing a holistic, customer-centric viewpoint of the industry's unique ecosystem along the way.
Today, Candise extends her expertise to clients seeking to navigate the complexities of the market. Her firm, Outlier Advisors, provides strategic consulting services that reflect her distinctive blend of innovative thinking, deep industry knowledge, and ability to spot emerging trends. Outlier Advisors partners with industry leaders, investors, and startups to develop actionable strategies that meet the demands of an evolving pet landscape.
Candise is also a sought-after speaker, advisor, author, and mentor, known for sharing rare and multifaceted insights and practical strategies with fellow Outliers.

Brendan Lynch
SVP, Urgent Care Hospitals and Innovation
VCA Animal Hospitals

Brendan Lynch
SVP, Urgent Care Hospitals and Innovation
VCA Animal Hospitals

Stephen Kirton
President
Circa Healthcare

Stephen Kirton
President
Circa Healthcare

Robert Diamond
Co-Owner & CEO
Identicare

Robert Diamond
Co-Owner & CEO
Identicare
Robert is a successful entrepreneur with a track record of creating value from customer data.
Robert is the co-owner and CEO of identicare, the UK’s largest pet microchip registration and pet protection services provider. Identi offers recurring-revenue subscription services to over 4 Million pet owners. In Feb 2024 Robert bought out his joint venture partner (Animalcare PLC) with backing from Bridgepoint Group, one of the UK’s leading private asset investors, in a transaction valued at £30 Million.
At the same time Robert continues to oversee Fernbrook Partners, a private portfolio covering early-stage technology and lifestyle investments and commercial property acquisition, development and leasing.
From 2011 - 2017 Robert helped the acquisition, turnaround and successful sale of RAC, the world’s oldest motoring organisation. In his executive role as Managing Director Motoring Services, he oversaw the data assets of RAC’s 8.2 Million members and also ran six data / digital businesses. He was actively involved in the post-acquisition integration of RAC by Carlyle Private Equity and subsequent exit to GIC Singapore in 2014 and CVC Partners in 2015.
Prior to this, in 2001 Robert founded what became emnos - the leading provider of ‘customer centric’ services and decision-support tools. Clients included top retailers (Target, Walgreens, Morrisons, Waitrose, Boots, Co-operative Group) and their FMCG suppliers. The business was sold to Palamon Private Equity in 2007 and sold on to American Express in 2011.
Robert spent the previous 13 years in marketing and sales roles in the consumer and retail industries.
Robert is an elected member and former board director of the Young Presidents Organisation and regular media contributor (and TED talker) on the use of customer data. He lives in the UK with his wife and four children.

Miles Thorson
CEO
Odie Pet Insurance

Miles Thorson
CEO
Odie Pet Insurance

Susan Groeneveld
Founder
sylvester.ai
Susan Groeneveld
Founder
sylvester.ai
Attendees
C-Suite
Visionary Speakers
Active Investors
1-1 Conversations
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