Our Team

Eduardo de Santos, DVM
Co-Founder & CEO

From a farm in central Spain, Dr. de Santos attended Madrid’s Complutense Veterinary School. He received his MBA from Instituto de Empresa in Madrid. With multinational experience in the animal health industry, Dr. de Santos has served as head of South America’s Andean region, Mexico & Central America, UK & Ireland, and Japan as well as corporate head of International Marketing and Global Business Development before founding VetNova Animal Health.

Email
Lourdes Gómez, DVM
Co-Founder & Director of R&D

Originally from Havana, Cuba, Dr. Gomez grew up in Madrid. She received her DVM degree from Córdoba Veterinary School in Spain. Dr. Gomez practiced companion animal medicine in Cádiz, Spain, and in Hampshire, UK before founding VetNova Animal Health.

Email
Julie Loftus
Vice President Sales and Marketing North America-US and Canada

I have been in the veterinary industry in a variety of roles for the past 22 years. I started my career at Fort Dodge Animal Health. I have spent the last couple of decades working for both manufacturers and distributors in the US. It has been an incredible journey, and I am very grateful for my career opportunities.In my free time I enjoy spending time with my husband Scott, and our 2 dogs Arthur and Aspen. We are officially empty nesters now and we are excited for the next chapter in our lives.

Email
Debra Nickelson, DVM
Veterinary Science Liaison

Debra NIckelson DVM, MBA is founder of Trillium C, LLC a consulting firm. Dr. Nickelson has worked in mixed and companion animal practice. She has also performed a variety of work for several animal health companies in three different states, including technical services, marketing, product development, regulatory, sales, training, business development and consumer affairs. Currently Dr. Nickelson serves on the governing board of the American Veterinary Medical Association, representing the American Association of Industry Veterinarians. 

Email
Adriana Álvarez Galarraga
Chief Financial Officer of the VetNoVa Group

I was born in Caracas, Venezuela. I am a Certified Public Accountant, graduated in Venezuela, and I have been working in the financial field since 1989. I currently serve as Chief Financial Officer of the VetNova Group, and I have been part of VetNova since 2014.

I consider myself a cheerful, positive person with a strong desire to keep learning, which has allowed me to adapt easily to change and take on new challenges. I am passionate about my work, while always keeping family as my top priority.

I truly enjoy working as part of a team and value being surrounded by committed, productive people who share the same values. I am proud to be part of the great VetNova team, which has supported my personal and professional growth, and which I consider part of my extended family.

Monica Patino
Director of International Sales

Born in Aurora, Illinois, Monica later pursued her academic goals at the University of Puerto Rico, where she graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Business Administration. Her studies laid the foundation for early professional roles in which she developed domestic and international business initiatives that drove company growth and supported continuous expansion. Monica has over 15 years of experience in the animal health industry, spanning manufacturing, private label, sourcing, registrations, compliance, and global sales. At VetNova, she travels worldwide to further expand the company’s global presence.

Ludovic Talon
Global Marketing Director

After completing a Master’s degree in Marketing in France and a Master’s in Communication Management in Germany, Ludovic has held a variety of marketing roles, ranging from Communication Officer to Product Manager, Marketing Manager, and Marketing Director. Active in the animal health industry for several years, Ludovic is committed to contributing to VetNova’s success and helping a large number of pets benefit from the quality of VetNova’s products and supplements. 

Ester Fernández, DVM
US Marketing Manager

Master in Applied Clinical Ethology from UAB, Postgraduate in Consumer Research from UOC, University Specialization in Digital, MBA. More than 8 years of experience in small animal practice, she is part of the company since 2015. Passionate about her dog and her work.

Alexandre Barbosa Marques, DVM, MSc, MRCVS
International Product Manager

Master’s degree in Veterinary Medicine in Lisbon, Portugal and with a Postgraduate in Small Animal Dermatology. More than 8 years of experience in small animal practice in Portugal and UK, and part of the company since 2022. Passionate about animals and abstract painting.

Miguel Angel Leal, DVM
Business Development

I was born in Caracas, Venezuela and attended Universidad Central de Venezuela Veterinary School. I received my Marketing and Business degree from IESA in Caracas. With multinational experience in the animal health industry, I served as head of Venezuela & Caribbean region and companion animals business director of Spain before join VetNova as Business Development Director. I am passionate for animals welfare and looking constantly for new ingredients and formulas to offer the best to our lovely friends.

Sotero Martínez
Manufacturing and Logistics Processes Manager

Agronomic Engineer specialising in Food Industries. Master's Degree in Supply Chain Management. I have been with the company since 2019. I am delighted to take on new challenges to adapt different processes to the growth of Vetnova.

Vanessa Arenas Lores, DVM
Commercial Manager for Latin America

I’m originally from Cali, Colombia, and I received my degree in Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics from the University of Caldas in Manizales. I practiced for over a decade in small animal practice in Colombia and Mexico, including a period focused on internal medicine.
Since 2021, I’ve been part of the VetNova team, where I get to combine my experience with my passion for animal care.
I’m a devoted cat lover, especially of my cat Cosito (who will turn 19 in 2026) and since moving to the Canary Islands, I’ve also fallen in love with scuba diving and exploring the underwater world.

Carolyn Gilliland
Executive Administration

Carolyn has worked in the animal health industry for 25 years. She has performed a variety of work in the animal health industry including Executive Level Administration, Technical Services, Marketing, Finance, Educational Training, and Customer Service

Elise Tremonti
Territory Manager

Elise graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Animal Science and a pre-veterinary concentration and now serves as both the outside and inside sales representative for the Midwest. Born and raised in Leawood, Kansas, she works closely with the veterinary community to connect clinics with innovative, high-quality products.Outside of work, Elise enjoys riding her 13-year-old Quarter Horse, Tex, spending time with her German Shepherd, Toa, and traveling to new places.

Isa de Santos Gomez
Outside Sales Representative

Is a student-athlete at Murray State University, where she studies Exercise Science and plays goalkeeper for the women’s soccer team, a sport that has been her passion since early childhood. Born in Kansas City, she moved to Madrid, Spain as a baby and was raised between Spain and the United States; her parents are proud that she is both bilingual and bicultural, a background that has shaped her adaptability on and off the field. Isa later returned to Kansas City to attend Blue Valley North High School. Beyond soccer, she enjoys traveling, trekking in U.S. national parks (where she collects ranger badges), reading, watching police shows, spending time with friends and family, volunteering when opportunities arise, and donating blood regularly. In her spare time, she is also gaining professional experience as VetNova’s Outside Sales Representative in Western Kentucky.

Julie Burrows
Territory Manager

I have been managing a sales territory in the animal health industry for the past 15 years.  I live in St. Louis, Missouri and cover our neighboring state of Illinois as well as half of Missouri.
I especially love our dermatology products and addressing skin and ear problems.  I enjoy building relationships with my veterinarians and educating their staff on the VetNova portfolio.

Melissa Tovar
DVM Inside Sales Representative

Dr. Melissa Tovar completed her Biology and Master of Biological Science degree at Los Andes University in Bogotá (Colombia) and earned her Veterinary Medicine degree from La Salle University in Bogotá (Colombia). She has experience in the equine industry, working in both clinical and field settings, and has been involved in small animal surgery and anesthesia. Passionate about horses, dogs, and cats, Dr. Melissa is committed to positively impacting animal health and well-being. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her animals, reading, and practicing liberty training with horses.

Valeria Castrillón
DVM Inside Sales Representative

I’m Valeria Castrillón, a veterinarian and clinical biochemist driven by a deep love for animals and a true passion for science. I have hands on experience in clinical laboratory work as well as advanced molecular diagnostics. I’ve participated in research in antimicrobial resistance, microbiology, and molecular biology for both human and animal health. Alongside my scientific background, I’ve worked in sales and as an application specialist, supporting clients through training, technical guidance, and customer care. I’m happiest in roles where my curiosity, empathy, and commitment to health, medicine, science, and animal welfare come together.

Camila Robalino
Inside Sales Representative

I am Camila Robalino, a veterinarian and interpreter with experience in the care, medicine, and diagnosis of small animals. My training includes active participation in veterinary clinics, where I strengthened both technical and interpersonal skills. Guided by a deep commitment to animal welfare and excellence in client service, I also draw on my communication expertise to provide professional and comprehensive care.