2024 VOE-Network
Election RESULTS
November 2024
Vivarium operational excellence network
2024 Officer & BOD RESULTS
We are excited to announce the winners of the VOE-Network elections. Please join us in congratulating our new leadership team:
Let’s celebrate our leaders as they step into their roles and continue driving our mission forward!
- President: Mary Spencer
- Vice President: Dr. Danielle Covington
- Clerk: Jennifer Brooks
- Board of Directors: Kenneth Jones, Melissa Rupani
Let’s celebrate our leaders as they step into their roles and continue driving our mission forward!
President - Winner
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About Mary Spencer
Mary is the Billing and Special Services Manager at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where she has been a key member of the Research Administration group since 2016. Her career in animal healthcare and research began at Mass General Hospital as a Research Animal Specialist, where she gained hands-on experience with USDA-regulated species and managed animal transportation logistics. These foundational experiences, combined with her certifications as a Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma and Lab Animal Technologist (LATg), have enabled Mary to excel in administrative roles focused on operational improvements, mentoring her team, and fostering a culture of collaboration and growth. Mary is deeply committed to advancing vivarium operations through her leadership with the Vivarium Operational Excellence Network (VOEN). She currently serves as Vice President, driving initiatives that promote best practices, professional development, and employee engagement. Prior to this role, Mary contributed significantly to VOEN’s success by working with the Program Committee and serving as Co-Chair of the Membership Committee, where she played a key role in expanding member engagement and educational offerings. She has also been a featured speaker at the AALAS National Meeting and the VOEN Virtual Conference 2024, presenting on topics such as employee engagement, and building a culture of belonging. Her dedication extends to past service on the NEBAALAS Board of Directors, where she co-chaired the Program Committee, and to her volunteer work with Amazing Animal Ambassadors. Through her leadership, collaboration, and passion for the field, Mary continues to make a meaningful impact on the animal research and healthcare community. www.linkedin.com/in/mary-spencer-bs-latg |
Vice President - Winner
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About Dr Danielle Covington
Dr. Danielle Covington is an accomplished Laboratory Animal Veterinarian with over 15 years of experience across government, academic, and commercial sectors in the Laboratory Animal Science industry. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Comparative Medicine at Penn State University College of Medicine, where she oversees rodent barrier facilities and directs the Responsible Care and Use of Laboratory Animals Training Program. Dr. Covington previously served as the Director of Small Animal Services at BIOQUAL Inc. and as a Clinical Veterinarian at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research. She earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed a residency in Laboratory Animal Medicine at Cornell University's Center for Animal Resources and Education (CARE). Dr. Covington became a Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine in 2010. She is also dedicated to continuous improvement and operational excellence, holding a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. Dr. Covington currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Vivarium Operational Excellence Network and co-chairs its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee. www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-covington/ |
Clerk - winner
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About Jennifer Brooks
In the fast-evolving sectors of biosciences and therapeutics, I’ve carved a niche for myself as a leader who thrives at the intersection of IT product ownership, enterprise program management, and operational excellence. My career is a journey of transforming challenges into opportunities, spearheading digital integrations, and driving strategic innovations that harmonize operations across diverse landscapes. At my core, I’m a servant leader; I believe in the power of trust, providing resources, and genuinely investing in the growth of every team member. What motivates me? The pursuit of excellence, the thrill of tackling complex problems, the satisfaction of leading teams to exceed their own expectations, and seeing employees grow to their own potential. The leaders I admire most are those who combine strategic vision with a heartfelt commitment to their people, embodying agility, foresight, and a relentless drive for improvement. www.linkedin.com/in/jennbrooks1/ |
Board of directors eLECTS
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About Kenneth Jones
Kenn brings with him 15 years of experience managing facilities for In Vivo research. He began his career as a Wild Animal handler for the WCS and working in the domestic veterinary industry. Kenn entered the research field as a Cage Wash supervisor for Merck and Co, in Rahway New Jersey, and quickly translated his zoo experience into managing the NHP colony. Contributing to the program by adding the use of an operant conditioning program for enrichment, behavioral management and reducing animal stress during model use. Kenn next functioned as a regional manager for Mispro Biotech Services, a husbandry and IACUC service provider for researchers covering the Northeast region of the USA and Canada. Operations focused on key markets in Montreal, Cambridges Tech Square, Research Triangle in North Carolina, and New York City. In this role he was responsible for oversight of operations in two countries as well as being tasked with the buildout of new facilities for market growth. This was followed by a role as Operations Manager for Champions Oncology in Rockville MD, a CRO focused on direct to patient PDX modeling for direct to patient cancer research. In this role he became more involved with the CRO market building an expertise in collaborative management of institutional and private venture projects. Kenn next brought his skills in facility design to Spark Therapeutics in Philadelphia, with a focus on developing a new vivarium facility as well as the design, construction and implementation of Wet Labs including a one-of-a-kind automated DNA synthesis laboratory. In his time in the industry Kenn has developed a well-balanced portfolio of technical and managerial skills that position him to be an asset to any company. A background of lean management, a familiarity with the collaborative nature of CRO work, and rock-solid background in facility biosecurity and ACS staff management, Kenn brings a proven history of success, to further enhance the quality of processes. www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-jones-0a243820/ |
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About Melissa Rupani
I have over 20 years of professional experience in a variety of responsibilities, including managing and training staff, animal husbandry, and public outreach. Over the course of my career, I have laid groundwork for several programs including the current Animal Ambassador Department at the Franklin Park Zoo, a proactive training program for staff of the BWH Center for Comparative Medicine (CCM) department, and the formal implementation of the BWH CCM Employee Engagement Committee (alongside my Co-Chair Mary Spencer). I also coordinated the hosting of an in-person regional conference for the American Association of Zoo Keepers ZNE Chapter on site at the Franklin Park Zoo, this included maintaining a budget, organizing volunteers, creating a logistically sound schedule of events for both days, and ensuring the conference ran smoothly. I was an integral member of the Idea Committee at the Charles River Laboratories, Boston Children’s Hospital site, which assessed and implemented positive changes in the workplace for both the animals and the staff. In my current role as Training Coordinator for the BWH CCM department, I am able to combine my skills and knowledge gained over the course of my career to create a welcoming and encouraging environment for staff to collaborate and flourish in. www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-rupani/ |