Member-Based Vet Care Provider Hires CFO and Head of People with Plans to Open Six New Locations in 2026
Small Door Veterinary, the membership-based veterinary care company reimagining the pet health experience, today announced that it has hired Mikhayl Alam as its new Chief Financial Officer and Collin Russell as Head of People. The additions come on the heels of a record year of profitability and a $55 million capital raise, positioning the company to accelerate expansion with six new locations slated to open next year.
Alam brings over 15 years of experience driving growth, profitability, and operational excellence for global consumer brands, as Small Door works to become a household name amongst pet parents. He joins the company after 3 years as the Vice President of Strategic Finance & Analytics at LaserAway, the nation’s largest aesthetic dermatology provider, where he partnered closely with the CEO and executive team to shape multi-year strategy, capital allocation, and analytics across 200 locations. Prior to that, Alam spent six years in finance leadership roles at L’Oréal USA, most recently as Assistant Vice President of Finance for D2C and Media, delivering record profitability in highly competitive categories.
Russell joins as Small Door’s first ever Head of People, helping to shape a collaborative, productive work environment during a period of growth and expansion. Russell is a strategic leader with over a decade of experience building high-performing teams and scaling culture in fast-growing consumer and digital-health brands. He spent more than 5 years at Heyday, most recently as VP of People, where he shaped talent strategy and culture during a period where the company grew from 4 to over 35 locations. He has also held talent and programming leadership roles at SoulCycle Inc., which grew from 20 to over 90 locations, and Spring Health.
Earlier this year, Small Door appointed Kristen Lombardi, the former Chief Operating Officer of Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG), as its first-ever Chief Operating Officer, further rounding out a leadership team built for scale.
“Our model resonates with pet owners, our practices are profitable, and we have the capital to grow - now we’re focused on ensuring we have the strongest possible leadership team to guide us into the future,” said Florent Peyre, Co-Founder and CEO of Small Door. “Mikhayl and Collin bring years of experience that will be key to maintaining a caring, small business culture that delivers best-in-class member experiences at scale.”
“We’re committed to building a team that not only delivers exceptional medical care, but also upholds the highest standards in our industry,” Russell said. “By investing in extraordinary talent and fostering a culture grounded in excellence, we ensure every member experience reflects the quality and compassion pets deserve.”
“Small Door has always been viewed as a disruptor in the pet care industry, not just because of its state-of-the-art facilities or its hospitality-grade service, but because of its company culture and the way it treats its staff,” Alam said. “As we grow, we’re committed to safeguarding the values that built this company and ensuring that our teams feel supported, empowered and inspired.”
About Small Door Veterinary
Small Door is membership-based veterinary care designed with human healthcare standards. Its unique model combines exceptional primary care, stress-free clinic environments, 24/7 telemedicine, and transparent pricing — creating a better experience for pets, pet parents, and medical teams alike. Founded in New York City, Small Door operates across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic and is expanding nationally.
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