Nova Servatius

I believe I’ve been selected because I’ve worked to redefine what leadership looks like in veterinary medicine—balancing empathy with structure, advocating for both clients and staff, and elevating the overall standard of care. I’ve also built and grown a small business in a completely different industry, showing that women can lead, innovate, and succeed across multiple fields. My influence comes from leading authentically, investing heavily in people, and creating environments where teams and communities can thrive.

“Take care of your people, and they’ll take care of everything else.”

In veterinary medicine, it’s easy to focus on numbers, schedules, and the nonstop demands of patient care. The best advice I ever received was to prioritize the well-being, growth, and respect of my team. When your staff feels supported, heard, and valued, patient care improves, clients feel it, and the entire hospital becomes stronger. Culture isn’t a “nice-to-have” in this field — it’s essential to sustainability and success.

<blockquote>You don’t have to shrink to lead.</blockquote><blockquote>You don’t have to change who you are to fit someone else’s definition of “professionalism.”</blockquote><blockquote>You don’t have to choose between strength and compassion—you can embody both.</blockquote><blockquote><br></blockquote><blockquote>Influence grows when we embrace our authenticity, our boundaries, our failures, and our victories. It grows when we show up consistently, even when no one is watching. I am honored to be featured, but more importantly, I am honored to be part of a community of women who are rewriting what leadership looks like. We are building workplaces that value empathy and accountability. We are creating businesses that honor creativity and connection. We are showing future generations that success is not a single path—it’s a landscape full of possibilities. If my story encourages even one woman to take up more space, to trust her voice, or to pursue something she thought wasn’t “for her,” then that is the true influence I hope to leave behind.</blockquote>

The biggest challenges in veterinary medicine right now are burnout, staffing shortages, and maintaining a healthy work culture in an increasingly demanding field. Teams are being asked to do more with less, clients have higher expectations, and the emotional toll of the work is significant. At the same time, those challenges create major opportunities. Practices that invest in team well-being, clear communication, and strong leadership can truly stand out. There’s also an opportunity to improve efficiency through better systems, client education, and proactive medicine. Clinics that prioritize culture, boundaries, and sustainability—not just productivity—will be the ones that retain great people and continue delivering excellent patient care.

Integrity, compassion, and accountability are the values that matter most to me in both my work and personal life. I believe in doing the right thing even when it’s uncomfortable, treating people with empathy, and taking ownership of my actions and decisions. I also value respect, clear communication, and balance. In veterinary medicine, trust—between clients, teams, and leadership—is everything, and that trust is built through honesty and consistency. Personally, I believe in protecting time for family, personal growth, and mental well-being so I can show up as my best self for others.