- Dr. Justine Lee will retire July 2, 2026, stepping down from leadership at VETgirl
- Lee co-founded the veterinary continuing education platform in 2012 with Dr. Garret Pachtinger
- Pachtinger and the existing team will continue guiding the organization’s CE mission
- Lee cited the VETgirl community, team, and partners following its growth and acquisition by BluePearl
- Her final appearance will be a keynote at VETgirl U 2026 in Salt Lake City
After more than a decade leading one of veterinary medicine’s most recognizable continuing education brands, Dr. Justine Lee announced she will retire and step down from her role as Director of Medicine and former CEO of VETgirl, effective July 2, 2026.
In a personal LinkedIn post, Lee described the decision as the result of “much personal reflection,” marking the close of a journey that began in 2012 when she and Dr. Garret Pachtinger launched the online education platform. What began as an unconventional idea evolved into a global CE provider and professional community.
From startup idea to global CE brand
Lee reflected on the company’s early skepticism, branding debates, and the challenge of building a small business from scratch. She credited Pachtinger as a key partner in navigating the company’s growth and mission, noting she was honored to pass the torch as he continues to support the VETgirl community and maintain its focus on clinically relevant, practical continuing education.
Over time, VETgirl expanded from webinars and podcasts to conferences, including the launch of the VETgirl U event in 2018, and developed a subscription-based education platform with a global audience.
Acquisition and community growth
Lee also acknowledged colleagues and leadership who supported the company’s evolution, including those involved in VETgirl’s acquisition by BluePearl and ongoing backing from Mars Veterinary Health. She highlighted the role of the internal team, consultants, sponsors, and early adopters who helped build the brand.
She emphasized that VETgirl had grown beyond its founders, describing it as a community representing veterinarians, technicians, students, and client service teams across the profession.
What comes next
Lee said she does not plan to move into another professional role immediately, instead focusing on spending time with her family after years of building the company. Her final official appearance as part of the organization will be at VETgirl U 2026 in Salt Lake City, where she is scheduled to deliver a keynote address.
Lee framed her departure as a transition rather than an ending, encouraging veterinary professionals to continue advancing education and supporting one another.
