Behind every organization is a group of people whose expertise, passion, and shared mission become the backbone of everything they do. And that’s certainly true of the Healthy Trade Institute. We’re a nonprofit committed to setting the standard and raising the bar for healthier trade practices in the reptile and amphibian community.
Today, we’re introducing the team members who make our work possible! Without each of them, HTI would be far from what it is today. (Thank you all so much for what you do!)
Meet the Healthy Trade Institute Team
Our staff works diligently to keep everything moving, growing, and functioning exactly as it should. Let’s get to know each of them!
Dr. Matthew Gray
President and CEO
Meet the man spearheading it all – Dr. Matt Gray! With more than two decades dedicated to studying amphibian pathogens, Dr. Gray has become a leading voice in understanding how diseases move through the pet trade.
His passion lies in helping businesses adopt healthier, science-backed trade practices that support animal welfare and improve customer experiences. Dr. Gray is leading HTI’s research advancements and continuing to set new standards for responsible trade across the country.
Dr. Danielle Galvin
Director of Operations and Outreach
Dr. Galvin is a researcher specializing in pathogen surveillance and disease ecology, and a passionate keeper of her own pet amphibians and reptiles. Her experience is vast – covering disease diagnostics, herpetofauna, and public-facing scientific communication.
Her work at HTI helps bridge the gap between research and practical application, ensuring that emerging science is accessible, actionable, and impactful for the reptile and amphibian community.
Dr. Debra Miller
Director of Science and Diagnostics
Dr. Miller brings over 25 years of experience investigating disease in amphibians and reptiles. She has extensive experience as a wildlife veterinarian and certified wildlife biologist specializing in pathology. Dr. Miller plays a crucial role in shaping our understanding of health risks and disease dynamics within the trade.
Her extensive background helps us ground our work in accuracy, strong science, and a deep commitment to animals.
Ashley Brinkman
Director of Public Relations
Ashley leads policy and advocacy efforts for pet care as the Government Affairs Director of the Pet Advocacy Network (PAN). She heads PAN’s Hepetological Committee, oversees the Habitattitude program, and serves as the primary pet industry contact for the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force.
Essentially, Ashley is the liaison between the pet industry and major agencies, like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. At HTI, Ashley serves as the industry connection for the Healthy Amphibian Trade Research Project.
Neil Moherman
Director of Industry
With over 12 years in the reptile and amphibian pet industry, Neil brings extensive expertise in reptile health, breeding, and husbandry to HTI.
As the Director of Quality Assurance at Reptiles by Mack, he ensures the highest standards of care across every stage of animal care and management. We’re lucky to have him on board!
Paving the Way for Healthier Trade Practices
HTI wouldn’t be what it is today without every single member of our team. The most incredible part? All of them volunteer their time here at HTI while also managing full-time careers.
And through close collaboration with The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM), our team is helping redefine what a healthy, responsible herp trade looks like across the industry.
Lastly, every donation we receive drives our mission forward! This allows us to certify more businesses, rescue more animals, and push forward essential research that shapes safer practices within the reptile and amphibian industry.