RBC has a long history of celebrating women who drive change. This International Women’s Day, we’re spotlighting leaders like Dr. Shari van de Pol, a computer engineer and large-animal veterinarian whose innovative company, CATTLEytics, helps dairy farmers improve efficiency, enhance animal health, and ensure food quality—all while advancing a more sustainable future for agriculture.
Bridging passion and expertise
Dr. Shari van de Pol began her career in computer engineering and data analytics at large multinational companies. However, she always felt drawn to animal agriculture, having grown up in a rural community. This inspired her to return to school and become a large-animal veterinarian.
In 2014, Dr. van de Pol combined her two distinct areas of expertise—technology and veterinary medicine—to found CATTLEytics, a company on a mission to help dairy farmers solve complex challenges with innovative, data-driven solutions.
Innovation to help dairy farmers work smarter
Dr. van de Pol’s work at CATTLELYTICS empowers dairy farmers with the tools to make informed decisions across all aspects of their operations, from staff scheduling and task management to breeding decisions, optimal management decisions and implementing targeted animal health protocols.
“Dairy farmers face decisions that might not show results for several years,” explains Dr. van de Pol. “This long feedback loop makes it challenging to know if you’re making the right choices. At CATTLEytics, we develop software that integrates multiple data sources and data analytics, including custom data modeling and machine learning, while being grounded in a deep understanding of cattle and dairy farming. Our solutions are built to solve problems in a holistic, practical way. Most dairy farmers want to focus on farming and not becoming the data scientists they would need to be in order to make the best decisions for their dairy.”
What started as a one-person consultancy has grown into a robust operation. Today, CATTLEytics has proprietary dairy software that integrates data from multiple sources to deliver actionable insights. The company now employs a team of 12 to 14 people, depending on the season, with most team members specializing in software development. And those without agricultural experience spend time on dairy farms to gain firsthand knowledge.
“Spending time on a farm gives our team a unique perspective,” says Dr. van de Pol. “It helps them truly understand the environment they’re building solutions for.”
Success lies in providing quantifiable benefits to clients
For Dr. van de Pol and her team, success isn’t about achieving a single end goal. It’s about delivering ongoing value.
“Success is about making a meaningful impact every day,” she says. “If I’m saving someone an hour of work, I’ve made a difference in their world.”
She emphasizes resilience and intentionality as keys to success. “Being a founder is tough. It’s important to surround yourself with supportive people, avoid environments that hold you back, and stay focused on what will help you succeed.”
Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs
Dr. van de Pol shares her insights for those looking to start their own businesses:
Create Something Unique
“Focus on something that’s difficult to replicate. If you have a niche skill set, leverage it to create a business that stands apart.”
Be Self-Sufficient
“Find ways to self-fund your business if possible. By building up the services side of CATTLEytics first, I didn’t need to rely on outside investors who might not share my vision.”
Take Calculated Risks
“Entrepreneurship involves risk, but those risks should be measured and you should create your own safety net. Test ideas, learn from failures, and pivot until you find what works. Remember that standing still may be ultimately riskier for you than taking a leap.”
Inspiring women in innovation
As an RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards Innovation Winner, Dr. van de Pol hopes her journey inspires other women to pursue entrepreneurship.
“I didn’t always see people doing what I wanted to do,” she reflects. “Awards like this provide visibility and show others that it’s possible to forge your own path. Seeing someone like you succeed can make a big difference.”
She encourages budding entrepreneurs to embrace their creativity and take charge of their futures. “Small businesses are where innovation thrives. By stepping off the beaten path, you can create solutions that truly make an impact.”
A commitment to the future
Looking ahead, Dr. van de Pol plans to expand CATTLEytics’ impact within the agriculture sector. She aims to further aggregate data across the industry to build a centralized data warehouse and leverage AI to drive even greater efficiencies for farmers.
In the meantime, she encourages Canadians to visit dairy farms and see the care and dedication that goes into their operations. “Many people have preconceived notions about dairy farms, but the reality is that most Canadian farms are family-run, with cows that are well cared for. Our farmers are among the best in the world, and I’m proud to support them through the work we do at CATTLEytics.”
