Managing Director | Animal Health Executive & Digital Strategist
Sébastien Lafon is an accomplished international executive and investment banker with an extensive track record in the animal health industry. Currently serving as a Managing Director at DanaShift in Atlanta, he provides high-level strategic advisory and investment banking services to the middle market. Originally from France, Sébastien brings a rare combination of financial rigor, operational expertise, and deep sector knowledge to the firm's animal health practice.
Sébastien’s career is highlighted by his tenure as a top-tier executive at Merial and Boehringer Ingelheim, two of the world's leading animal health organizations. He previously served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Merial’s North America Business Unit, where he was instrumental in building the world’s largest pet pharmaceutical franchise through iconic brands such as Frontline, Heartgard, and Nexgard. Following Boehringer Ingelheim's acquisition of Merial, he stepped into the role of Global Vice President and Head of Digital & Marketing Services, acting as a key driver for both pre- and post-integration efforts to deliver critical deal synergies.
A recognized expert in the "connected world," Sébastien is the founder of Adapt1st, a consulting firm that advises leadership teams on digital business strategies. His forward-thinking approach to technology is further evidenced by his past board membership at the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Center for the Development and Application of Internet of Things (CDAIT), where he helped bridge interdisciplinary IoT research and education. Beyond his advisory work, he is an active investor in Pet Tech, Cybersecurity, and AI start-ups.
Sébastien maintains an outstanding professional network across the animal health spectrum, encompassing pet pharmaceuticals, veterinary software, diagnostics, and pet treats. He is deeply committed to the business community, currently serving on the boards of the Harvard Business School (HBS) Club of Atlanta and the Atlanta French-American Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he was a co-founder of the French Tech Atlanta chapter. He is a frequent industry speaker and a FINRA-registered professional