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In this conversation, Dr. Kerl interviews VCA's former Vice President of People and Organization, Paola Perez Loaiza. Listen in as she shares her unique journey from engineering to HR leadership in the veterinary field. She discusses the vital role of overseeing People and Organization at VCA Animal Hospitals, emphasizing the importance of culture, associate well-being, and professional development. Paola highlights the significant investments made in associate support, including health resources and internship programs. She also reflects on the Mars Associate Survey's findings and its impact on employee engagement and client experience. As she transitions to a new role at Royal Canin, Paola expresses her excitement for the future of veterinary medicine and the ongoing commitment to world-class care.

Paola has held several leadership roles within the Mars Petcare ecosystem, including AniCura P&O head, Vice President for Mars Vet Health International and Diagnostics, and various P&O leadership roles with Mars Global Pet Nutrition and U.S. Pet Nutrition. Before joining Mars, Paola was at Procter & Gamble for 17 years, where she held multiple roles in supply and procurement in Latin America, Europe and North America.

Eighteen months ago, Paola’s family adopted Zula, a mixed-breed dog from a shelter. She has brought much joy to Paola and her family. This adoption was one of the first success stories of VCA Charities' "Dog Day Out" program. Paola is passionate about finding and nurturing the leaders of tomorrow. She believes that every person needs to find their own definition of happiness and, from there, work hard and persevere in pursuing their dreams. She loves traveling, learning about different cultures and experiencing their gastronomy. Paola, her husband and two children have lived in different countries and cities across Latin America, the US and Europe. She loves spending time with family and friends and doing CrossFit.

Paola has accepted the position of Vice President, P&O, Royal Canin European Region and joined the Royal Canin team on June 1, 2025. In this enhanced role, Paola will serve as the P&O Business Partner for the Regional President and the leadership team supporting a multi-year transformation of Royal Canin Europe, the home of 2,700 talented Royal Canin Associates across 28 countries and 10
business units. She will also own the strategic direction for global Royal Canin Talent, Leadership and OE agenda.

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