Our Team

Samantha Masca

**President**

Hello and Aloha! My name is Samantha Masca and I am a current second-year student in CSU’s DVM program. I graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2021, but my home is in Hawaii on the island of Oahu. Apart from school, I enjoy watching The Office, hiking, golfing, paddle boarding, and lei-making. My current career interests involve small animal and exotic medicine in general practice and urgent care. I am also interested in marine animal medicine because from a young age growing up near the ocean, I learned the integral part these animals play in our ecosystem.
My interest in the VBMA stems from my mother, who also is a veterinarian, and watching her juggle between practicing medicine and managing a business. This inspired me to get ahead in becoming well-rehearsed in veterinary medicine and business.
**Fun Fact:** In 2022, I entered a pageant (with no pageant experience) and won the title of Miss Chinatown Hawaii! It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.

Alexa (Lexie) McDonald

**Vice President**
Hi! I’m Alexa McDonald and a second year in Colorado State University’s DVM program. I’m from Hilliard, Ohio, and a HUGE Buckeye fan. I went to undergrad at Ball State University in Indiana where I majored in biology and had the wonderful opportunity to swim on their woman’s team. My study breaks involve going to Old Town for karaoke, searching for places in Fort Collins to line dance, and participating in CSU’s intramural Tube Water Polo! As a future veterinarian, I am planning to tract mixed animals because I believe if you can’t decide on one, do both! I have been interested in small animal veterinary medicine ever since my family adopted my first dog, a Brussels Griffon named Izzy, when I was 10. My large animal interests spark from shadowing veterinarians at my sister’s dairy farm in Indiana.
I joined VBMA because I want to learn what it takes to run a business. Even if I don’t decide to own a practice, VBMA offers knowledgeable speakers who will show me how to be an advantageous and professional leader within any veterinary team.
**Fun Fact:** I published a poem in undergrad.

AnnaMaria Marquez

**Secretary**
Hello! My name is AnnaMaria Marquez. I was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico prior to moving to Colorado. In my free time, I enjoy watching Grey's Anatomy or Disney and spending time with my family. Ever since I was a child, I wished to become a veterinarian, a dream that I am in the process of fulfilling! I am a second-year student in the DVM program with an interest in small companion animals.
While I do not have much business knowledge within the veterinary field, I value the chance to learn as I hope to start my own clinic one day.

Tea Ned

**Treasurer**
My name is Téa Ned and I am in the DVM class of 2026. I am originally from Denver, CO and graduated from University of Oregon with a bachelors in Biology and minor in Biochemistry. My interests in veterinary medicine are a bit widespread right now but I love everything small animal medicine! Outside of vet school, I love watching reality TV shows, cooking, baking and anything artistic. I used to be in theater before undergrad so the arts are really important to me!
I was drawn to VBMA because of the critical networking, business management, financial management and general life skills that the club has to offer. I have learned so much being the treasurer for this club and I think regardless of whether or not you want to own a practice, VBMA has so much to offer!
**Fun Fact:** I was born with moderate to severe hearing loss and May of 2023 I underwent a surgery to have a cochlear implant on my right side after wearing hearing aids my whole life. I have been able to hear things I have never heard before and it’s been quite astonishing!

Ravi Tatineni

Marketing Director

Hi everyone! I’m Ravi, and I am in the DVM class of 2028, pursuing a dual DVM/MBA degree at CSU. I grew up primarily in southeast Michigan and did my undergrad at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!), where I studied Biomedical Engineering. My interests in veterinary medicine vary, some of them include: small animal, emergency, surgery, exotics, wildlife/zoo. Outside of school, I like to go hiking, play tennis, try new foods, cook, among other hobbies!

I joined VBMA because I have a business background and recognized the high value of business skills in any industry. For 1.5 years after undergrad, I worked at a management consulting firm, gaining some business background, before switching to work at a vet clinic. I hope to leverage my background and dual degree to help other students realize the value of business skills :)

Fun Fact: I was actually born in India in a small village named Vuyyuru!

Gabrielle Shalabi

**BCP Coordinator**
Hello! I am a first-year vet student at CSU from Illinois. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin - River Falls with two bachelor's degrees (Animal Science and Biology). My career interests include equine medicine, radiology, clinical pathology, and ophthalmology. When I'm not thinking about veterinary medicine, I enjoy playing with my kitten, visiting national parks, yoga, and going to the gym.
VBMA interests me because this organization offers several opportunities that contribute to student and postgraduate success! Not only does this organization expose me to the business aspect behind veterinary medicine by offering a certificate in business but it also helps prepare me to enter the field as a new graduate. Networking, contract negotiation, client communication, finances, and team/leadership development are just a few of the topics/skills covered by VBMA that better prepare me for a future career in veterinary medicine. On top of all that, VBMA allows me to socialize with an amazing group of future colleagues that share similar interests.
**Fun Fact:** I visited an equine rescue in Spain and a cheetah conservation in South Africa in the same month!

Rissa Boyd

**Fundraising Chair**
Hello! My name is Rissa Boyd and I am a 2nd year vet student! I was born and raised in rural Eastern CO in a farming and ranching community. I graduated with my Bachelors in Animal Science from CSU in May 2022. Outside of school I enjoy riding horses, working cattle, and hiking with my beagle! My career goals include owning my own mixed animal clinic in rural America, with a focus on acupuncture and food animal medicine.
By being involved with VBMA, I am honing my business and veterinary skills in order to become the best DVM and community member I can be one day.
**Fun Fact:** I spent 3 weeks in Rwanda and Tanzania this summer!

2023 Officers:

President: Jasmine Blattner (2025)

Vice President: Samantha Masca (2026)

Secretary: Alexa (Lexie) McDonald (2026)

Treasurer: Tea Ned (2026)

2024 Officers:

President: Samantha Masca (2026)

Vice President: Alexa (Lexi) McDonald (2026)

Secretary: AnnaMaria Marquez (2026)

Treasurer: Tea Ned (2026)

Marketing Director: Ravi Tatineni (2028)

BCP Coordinator: Gabrielle Shalabi (2027)

Fundraising Chair: Rissa Boyd (2026)

Faculty Advisor:

Wayne A. Jensen, DVM, PhD, MBA