Meet Dr. Lesley Steele, RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards Momentum Finalist

Dr. Lesley Steele is an accomplished CEO, veterinarian, and entrepreneur who has transformed Steele Veterinary Group into Canada’s largest independently owned group of veterinary hospitals. With a career spanning over two decades, her leadership is marked by her role in the Wallace McCain Institute and her 2023 induction into the Young President’s Organization, a global network of executive leaders. 

Steele Veterinary Group encompasses eight hospitals, a telecommunications company, and real estate holdings across Atlantic Canada, employing over 150 people. Dr. Steele’s approach of preserving each hospital’s unique identity while integrating them into a supportive group has earned her numerous accolades including the 2024 Atlantic Award of Excellence in Veterinary Medicine from the Atlantic Veterinary College and the 2024 Top 50 CEO of the Year from the Atlantic Business Magazine.

 Dr. Steele’s passion for giving back is evident through her leadership of volunteer trips to Costa Rica and Ecuador, where her team provided vital veterinary care to over 1,000 pets. She is also a devoted mother and wife, balancing her professional achievements with a love for travel and exploration.

I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur when… I was growing up, and my parents talked about working just to get by. I realized early on that I wanted something different — I wanted to love what I do and have control over my own path. I made a promise to myself that if I ever found something I disliked, I wouldn’t stay stuck in it. This mindset pushed me to take charge of my career and pursue my passion.  

Entrepreneurship is made for me because… I have a passion for creating amazing teams and solving complex problems. Being an employee was never my strength — I crave the freedom to lead and create. My true strength lies in driving projects forward and making things happen. 

The impact I hope to make through my work is… to champion independent veterinary practice ownership in Canada, motivating young veterinarians and new graduates to confidently pursue owning their own hospitals. My love for veterinary medicine fuels my desire to keep our profession thriving outside the influence of large corporate entities. 

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned on my entrepreneurial journey is… accepting that I don’t know what I don’t know. True success comes from surrounding myself  with a team whose knowledge and skills complement my own. It’s this collaborative effort that  drives our achievements. 

My proudest accomplishment is… balancing a 27-year marriage and parenthood, while also growing into the largest independently owned veterinary practice in Canada. It’s been a challenging journey, but one that I’m deeply proud of. 

The biggest risk I took that paid off was… taking the plunge and buying my first practice just two years out of veterinary school. I was a brand-new veterinarian with no business background, but that decision laid the foundation for everything that I have built since. It’s a reminder that sometimes the scariest risks bring the biggest rewards. 

My biggest setback has been… partnering with people who didn’t align with my vision for the business. 

I overcame it by… stepping away from those relationships and developing a new partnership model that better supports the success of the hospital, the team, and our shared objectives. This change has led to stronger, more effective collaborations. 

The best advice I’ve received as an entrepreneur was… that you are the sum of the people you choose to surround yourself with. If you’re not putting yourself in situations where you feel small in the room, you’re not pushing yourself to dream big. Surrounding yourself with those who inspire and challenge you is the key to real growth. 

I surprise people when I tell them… that I knew I wanted to be a vet in grade two. I still have the notebook where I first wrote down that dream. It’s a special keepsake that reminds me how early my passion for animals began. 

If I had an extra hour in the day, I would use it to… spend more time with my children. I want to make the most of every second we have together. Time with them is something I never take for granted. 

If you googled me, you still wouldn’t know… that I have a deep love for fishing. It’s the only time when my mind quiets down, allowing me to reach a state of calm. On the water, I find the peace that keeps me grounded and recharged. 

The future excites me because… I am an optimist who thrives on the limitless possibilities that life, people, and opportunities offer. The veterinary industry is facing a crisis, and I see this as a crucial time to innovate and drive positive change. Every challenge holds the potential for growth, and I’m ready to embrace that opportunity.

Connect with Dr. Steele on LinkedIn and learn more about Virtual Veterinary Solutions on Facebook.