Guest Speakers

Guest speakers are industry professionals who we invite to share their personal and professional journeys. Speakers are able to offer insight on their respective professions, how they were able to navigate the horse racing industry, and give advice to members who are seeking to pursue similar careers.

Fall 2025

Dr. Emily Plant

University of Montana
Market Researcher and Professor
Hallie Hardy

Horse Country
Executive Director
Kara Heissenbuttel

Keeneland Association Inc
Sr. Director of Community Relations
Corbin Blumberg

Starlight Racing
Racing Manager
Dr. Laura Kennedy

Kentucky Horse Racing Postmortem Program
Director
University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Associate Professor
Annise Montplaisir

Amplify Horse Racing
Executive Director

Spring 2025

Dr. Claire Foster

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute
Veterinarian
Dr. Maria Schnobrich

Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital
Veterinarian, Theriogenologist
Samantha Hill

Alex Nichols Agency
Equine Transportation/Export Manager
Leslie Janecka

KEMI Program
Mackenzie Kirker-Head and Sam Reinhardt

HISA
Jake Memolo

BSW Bloodstock
Bloodstock Agent
Godolphin Flying Start Interns

Grace Hamilton, Ivanna Dempsey, Gabrielle Nebout, and Matthew Daubeney
Erin Dilger

Irish National Stud
Dan Dry

PriceWeber
Equine Photographer
Lauren Sparrow

Keeneland Association Inc
Community Relations Manager

Fall 2024