Kelli Younker grew up on a ranch in northern New Mexico, where she could ride a horse before she could walk. This early connection to animals shaped her path to becoming a Compliance Specialist at the NASC. In her role, Kelli conducts comprehensive audits of member companies, reviews product labels for compliance, and leads onboarding training sessions. She also provides technical support to member companies and has been instrumental in managing the recent surge of new companies seeking the NASC certification.
Kelli earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Agriculture and Extension Education from New Mexico State University, where she also competed on the NCAA equestrian team in Western disciplines at the national level.
Before joining the NASC, Kelli spent over two decades building expertise in animal health and regulatory affairs. She served as a veterinary technician for 14 years before transitioning to the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, where she worked as a feed specialist for over six years.
As an accomplished competitor in her free time, Kelli has qualified for and competed at the American Quarter Horse Association World Show and the Ranch Horse Versatility World Show, earning numerous awards, saddles, and belt buckles throughout her career. She also trains and competes with her dog in agility competitions, though her current 12-year-old pup is enjoying a well-earned semi-retirement. For Kelli, working with animals isn’t just a career – it’s a way of life that connects her family traditions with her professional mission to ensure the highest standards in animal health and nutrition.