In celebration of Women’s Month in August, V-Tech is proud to spotlight some of the incredible women who are making a significant impact in the animal health industry. These dedicated professionals, from various departments within V-Tech, share their journeys, insights, and what drives their passion for improving animal well-being.
Helia Vorster – R&D Manager
Helia Vorster, the R&D Manager at V-Tech, oversees the daily operations of the research and development department, makes critical decisions, and assists the product development officer. She qualified from Onderstepoort as a small animal veterinary nurse. Her journey at V-Tech started as a link between pharmacists and veterinarians, where she developed an interest in compound development and subsequently earned a BTech in Pharmaceutical Sciences.
When asked about her passion, Helia expressed a love for making a difference for all species. She finds production animals particularly rewarding, knowing she contributes to the safety and diseasefree nature of the food consumed by end-users. Similarly, making a difference for treasured small pets, keeping them healthy, and improving their quality of life for both the pet and owner is also deeply fulfilling.
Helia has faced barriers to leadership but emphasises the importance of knowing what you stand for and why.
Her approach involves understanding other parties’ reasoning, thinking clearly to resolve issues, and stepping back when emotions run high and revisiting the discussion later. Prof. David Gerber has been a pivotal mentor in her professional and personal life, shaping her into the person she is today. For Helia, compassion is the most important tool in animal health, stating that without it, even thousands of platforms and resources would be worthless.
Dr. Marne Theron – Technical Sales Executive
Dr. Marne Theron’s passion for animal health is rooted in a deep love for animals and a strong interest in science. She finds immense fulfilment in roles that directly contribute to animal well-being, whether in veterinary medicine, pharmaceutical sales, research and development, or animal welfare. Dr Theron holds a Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree and worked as a small animal practitioner for two and a half years before moving into the pharmaceutical industry, focusing on livestock medicine.
Her experience as a woman in the animal health field has been both incredibly rewarding and deeply painful. The reward comes from knowing she makes a difference, however small or large, in healing lifelong companions or contributing to food and human health safety. The pain stems from giving pieces of herself without recognition, and the heavy weight of guilt and responsibilities. Dr. Theron advises embracing change, as it is a constant guarantee in life, and understanding that you are never stuck in a situation.
For Dr. Theron, leadership in animal care means guiding others with compassion, knowledge, and integrity, setting a tone and example for others to follow. Given the emotionally draining and labour-intensive nature of the career with little work-life balance, leaders need to exemplify resilience, balance, and purpose.
Leaders must also prioritise animal welfare, human well-being, and the advancement of the profession in every decision. Her advice to women entering the field, especially those looking to start a family or business, is to define success on their own terms and to remember to put family first.
Jhanelle De Vries – Production Manager
Jhanelle De Vries was inspired to pursue a career in animal health by her deep love for animals and a passion for the science behind medicine. She f inds that compounding offers a perfect balance, allowing her to apply problem-solving skills and pharmaceutical expertise to make a real impact on animal health.
Jhanelle holds a B.Pharm degree and began her career in retail pharmacy before joining V-Tech just over two years ago as a dispensary pharmacist. She quickly transitioned to production pharmacist and now proudly serves as Production Manager.
As a production manager, Jhanelle plays a crucial role in improving animal health by ensuring the safe and efficient compounding of veterinary medicine and optimising the production line to ensure medicine availability for veterinary practices. A key mindset that has contributed to her career growth is a constant openness to learning and consistently seeking opportunities for both professional and personal improvement.
She manages her work-life balance through planning, clear boundaries, and self-awareness. Jhanelle also emphasises the importance of mental health, finding that staying physically active and spending time outdoors significantly contributes to maintaining a positive outlook.
Bronwyn Thaver – Quality Officer
As a Quality Officer in the veterinary pharmaceutical industry, Bronwyn Thaver focuses on maintaining compliance, investigating product complaints and deviations, and continually adapting quality systems to meet evolving standards. With a BSc Honours degree in Microbiology and Biotechnology and over 10 years of experience in quality management, she brings both technical expertise and practical insight to her work. Bronwyn also helps oversee Occupational Health & Safety (OHS), recognising that a safe team environment supports better products and outcomes. While not on the frontlines with animals, she plays a crucial part in ensuring every product released meets V-Tech’s high standards.
Bronwyn contributes to improving animal health by ensuring the integrity of veterinary medicines through strict quality and regulatory systems. Her work ensures safe, effective treatments – helping animals with every product released. A balance of confidence and resilience has helped her grow in her career; she has learned to trust her voice and show up with purpose, especially in a technical environment. Resilience has enabled her to adapt, grow through challenges, and continue improving even when things get tough. Bronwyn is inspired by women who protect animals and the planet, citing Dr. Jane Goodall for proving that science and compassion must go hand in hand, and Lesley Rochat, the “Shark Warrior,” for her fearless advocacy for marine life.
Tasmiya Abdulla – Responsible Pharmacist
Tasmiya Abdulla is the Responsible Pharmacist at V-Tech Prescriptions Pharmacy. She obtained her Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) degree in 2017 and completed her internship at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, followed by community service at Carletonville Hospital. Tasmiya joined V-Tech in 2020 as a dispensing pharmacist, was promoted to compounding pharmacist in 2021, and became the Responsible Pharmacist in 2022. Her daily responsibilities include ensuring the pharmacy complies with various laws and regulations, including the Pharmacy Act 53 of 1974, Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965, Good Pharmacy Practice guidelines, ISO 9001, and ISO 13485 standards. Tasmiya directly contributes to improving animal health by ensuring all medication received by patients is safe, effective, and of the highest quality, thereby ensuring optimal therapeutic outcomes and a better quality of life. She credits her continued success to the unwavering support of her family and the spirit of teamwork and collaboration demonstrated by her colleagues.