Bernadette Vinci, MS, has acquired an impressive track record during her career as a management professional in the veterinary industry. She has launched three successful veterinary emergency and specialty hospitals and is currently building a non-profit organization to assist pet owners in need under the auspices of Guardian Veterinary Specialists.

Ms. Vinci initially served as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Guardian Veterinary Specialists from 2016 to early 2021. During this time, she played a significant role in growing the practice from 30 to 180 employees. Under her leadership, revenue grew by 350%. She was also involved in acquiring two additional Guardian practices in Orange County and the Bronx. Some of her additional responsibilities in this position were strategic and financial management, operations, and human resources.

Building upon these accomplishments, leadership asked her to launch a new non-profit organization, HEALS, Humans Enriching Animals Lives. Assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer of HEALS in early 2021, she’s responsible for all aspects of initiating this charity organization, including all budgetary, business, fundraising, and IRS considerations; strategic management; operations and human resources; community impact; resource development; and ensuring that its mission is carried out. She continues to serve on the Guardian Veterinary Specialists Executive Team.

Ms. Vinci is a Licensed Human Element Practitioner (LHEP) with the goal of attaining personal and professional achievement through the development of new life skills that build confidence, improve communication, enhance understanding of others, and create a pathway for a fulfilling, lifelong career.

Prior to joining Guardian Veterinary Specialists, Ms. Vinci was Director of Operations at Newtown Veterinary Specialists in Newtown, CT, from 2012 to 2016. In this position, she was responsible for overseeing all hospital operations, including financial management. Previously, she helped found the Animal Specialty Center in Yonkers, NY, where she played a key role in its conception and development, serving as an administrator, overseeing daily operations, and managing a staff of more than 100 employees from 2005 to 2010.

Earlier on, Ms. Vinci founded BRV and Associates, an insurance and financial services firm that provided benefit solutions to veterinary groups. She started out her career at AT&T, where she worked for 18 years, becoming Global Account Manager and supervising a large staff in implementing business solutions for Fortune 500 pharmaceutical companies in the veterinary field.

She received her undergraduate degree in accounting from Pace University in New York and her master’s degree in business management from Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. A big believer in giving back, Ms. Vinci is an advocate to find a cure for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and is the New York State Representative for the National Caregiver Society.