Across many regions, women carry much of the daily responsibility for livestock care but often lack access to formal training, veterinary services, and technical knowledge. Through VWB’s volunteer programs—spanning Northern communities, international placements, and locally led teams—knowledge moves through partnerships to reach the women managing animals every day. At the same time, volunteers gain new perspectives, professional growth, and deeper insight into gender dynamics and One Health in practice. Together, these exchanges strengthen animal health systems while supporting women’s leadership, more equitable households, and resilient communities. In the spirit of Women’s Month 2026 theme, “Give to Gain,” and the International Year of the Volunteer, VWB's Women's Month 2026 webinar explored how volunteer exchange strengthens animal health systems while transforming those involved.
LIVE WEBINAR: Thursday, March 26th @ 7pm-8pm EDT
>> Watch the Replay <<
MEET THE PANEL:
Dr. Trace MacKay (DVM, MPH)
Veterinarian & NAHI Volunteer Alumni
Trace MacKay is a veterinarian based in Lion’s Head, Ontario, with more than 20 years of experience in clinical practice and public health. She has been involved with VWB since the organization’s early years, volunteering with programs in Africa, Asia, Northern Canada, and Alaska. Through VWB’s Northern Animal Health Initiative (NAHI), Trace has supported mobile veterinary clinics and community needs assessments in remote northern communities. In addition to her clinical work as a locum and emergency vet, she is co-founder of Terrapin Social Finance, a small business that supports nonprofits and social purpose organizations through program development and evaluation, social research, and organizational capacity building.
In this webinar, Trace reflected on her experience volunteering with VWB’s NAHI program in Northern Canada, sharing what it is like to deliver veterinary care in remote communities and what she has learned through working alongside local dog owners, women community members, and lay vaccinators.
Madalyn Nielsen
Program Officer, VWB & VETS Volunteer Alumni (Gender Advisor, Kenya, 2024)
Madalyn joined VWB in October 2025 as Program Officer for the VETS program. Raised in rural Mi’kma’ki (Nova Scotia), her early experiences with livestock and veterinary care sparked a lasting interest in the connections between animal health, livelihoods, and community well-being. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Bioveterinary Science and a Master of Arts in Global Development Studies, and has seven years of experience working in international cooperation programs focused on gender and rural development. In 2024, Madalyn served as a Gender Advisor Volunteer in Kenya through VWB’s Emerging Leaders Program, supporting efforts to strengthen women’s participation and leadership in livestock systems.
In this webinar, Madalyn reflected on her experience as a VETS volunteer in Kenya, sharing what it was like to work alongside women farmers and local partners, the knowledge and skills she contributed, and how the experience shaped her professional perspective on gender and livestock-based livelihoods.
Kavitha Misra
Gender Advisor, VWB & VETS Volunteer Alumni (Gender Advisor, Vietnam, 2021-2023)
Kavitha is an international development professional with over a decade of experience advancing gender equality, health, and education initiatives across Asia and Africa. Her work focuses on understanding how gender dynamics influence livelihoods, health systems, and access to knowledge, and on designing programs that strengthen inclusive community leadership. Kavitha has worked in Canada, India, Lao PDR, and Vietnam, and previously served as a Gender Advisor Volunteer with VWB in Vietnam from 2021–2023. Through her work with VWB’s programs, she supports the integration of gender-responsive approaches that strengthen both community resilience and One Health outcomes.
In this webinar, Kavitha shared observations from a recent field visit to VWB’s COHERS program in Senegal, reflecting on conversations with One Health Team members and women livestock keepers. She discussed how locally trained volunteers help share knowledge within communities, and how these exchanges support women’s leadership and more resilient households.
