What I stand for
Mission, Vision, and Core Values aren’t just boardroom wallpaper: they’re the pre-op surgical scrub. Unglamorous, underappreciated, and absolutely essential to preventing complications.
They guide decisions, define priorities, and make sure your work doesn’t just look good: it holds up under pressure.
Since I build brands rooted in purpose, it’s only fair I show you mine.
Mission Statement
To provide ethical, strategic consulting and tools that fuse veterinary insight, business clarity, and AI innovation: so smart, purpose-driven professionals can do work that actually works, without losing their sanity or their standards.
Vision Statement
To create a veterinary ecosystem where high-quality care is scalable, accessible, and sustainable, driven by strategic systems, smarter tools, and innovation that’s as ethical as it is effective.
Core Values
Integrity as Infrastructure
I don’t chase trends: I build durable foundations. My business decisions, tech architecture, and client relationships are rooted in honesty, boundaries, and long-term impact. If it can’t withstand scrutiny, I don’t ship it. (And if you can’t explain what you’re doing clearly, confidently, and with a clear conscience…maybe it’s not as defensible as you think.)
Responsible Innovation
I design and deploy AI with intention. Innovation without ethics is reckless; therefore, I build with transparency, acknowledge bias, and challenge the status quo, even when no one is watching. Or, to quote the only person in Jurassic Park who saw it coming, Dr. Ian Malcolm: “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should.”
Excellence Without Compromise
Excellence is more than accuracy or aesthetics: it’s a way of showing up. From clinical insights to strategic plans, I bring rigor, clarity, and respect to every interaction. If it bears my name, it meets my standards. I don’t just meet expectations: I reverse-engineer them, conditionally format the spreadsheet (obviously), and cite three peer-reviewed resources.
Radical Curiosity
I don’t color inside the lines. No, wait, I do. But I also redraw the coloring book (but more accurately and with attention to all the details). Creativity, experimentation, and risk-taking are built into my DNA. Innovation often starts messy, but I honor the process that leads to paradigm-shifting results. Sometimes that includes 27 open browser tabs, 31 notepad documents, 7 Word docs, 4 Excel spreadsheets, and one existential crisis over font choices - but the fun is all in the journey, right?
Access is Power
I believe access to veterinary care is a solvable design problem. Whether it’s improving shelter workflows or empowering veterinary businesses with AI, I use technology to dismantle the cost, location, and staffing barriers that hold our field back. Because access to care shouldn't rely on duct tape, good intentions, and a receptionist named Megan who hasn't taken a lunch break since 2017. Sorry about that again, Megan...
Strategic Empathy
Empathy without strategy is unsustainable. Strategy without empathy is unethical. I blend both: designing tools, systems, and stories that serve real humans, real animals, and real limitations, without losing sight of what matters. Because sometimes the kindest thing you can do is fix the broken workflow before the daily cry begins.
The President’s Research Lab
This lab connects the missions of the Innovation Center and the Institute of Applied AI. It’s the experimental side of my work: the place where hypotheses are tested, prototypes are built, and bold ideas are given room to grow. Expect to see custom AI projects, case studies, and behind-the-scenes insights revealed here.
Beyond the Office Walls
The President’s Office isn’t isolated. It connects directly to other centers of knowledge and action:
Meet the President
Karen Bolten, DVM, MBA, BSBA
I’m Dr. Karen Bolten, a veterinarian with an MBA and a lifelong passion for blending science, business, and technology. After years in clinical practice and leadership roles, I saw the gaps that hold veterinary professionals back: outdated business models, limited access to innovation, and overwhelming hype around new technologies.
Today, I work at the intersection of veterinary medicine, business strategy, and AI, helping practices, professionals, and companies thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
The President’s Office
Leadership, vision, and the strange delight of building the future of veterinary business.
The President’s Office is where everything begins. Here, strategy, vision, and purpose are shaped for the wider campus. As founder and President of The Business Vet, I bring together my background as a veterinarian, MBA, and AI strategist to chart the course for our community. This space isn’t just about titles—it’s where ideas become movements.