Topics: Philanthropy

    Penn Vet Announces the Appointment of Deborah Wei Dayton to its Board of Advisors

    September 14, 2026
    By: Martin Hackett
    Portrait of a person with shoulder-length dark hair, smiling, wearing a dark blazer and a beige blouse with a bow, photographed indoors with a blurred office background.

    Deborah Wei Dayton, president of Weitron, Inc., a Delaware-based industrial refrigerants manufacturer and packager, has been appointed to the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s (Penn Vet) Board of Advisors. Dayton brings decades of business leadership experience, a commitment to sustainability, and a personal passion for animal welfare to her new role.

    Dayton co-founded Weitron in 1993 with her husband, Colin Dayton. Under her leadership, Weitron has grown into a global operation serving the automotive, residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, with offices and warehouses across the United States and China. The company expanded into the Asia-Pacific region in 2001 and to the West Coast in 2007. In 2017, Weitron built a refrigerant gas facility in North Carolina, and in 2022, it became a Clean Air Act Section 608 certified reclaimer by the Environmental Protection Agency, a certification that allows Weitron to facilitate refrigerant recovery and reclamation for grocery store chains and other applications. Sustainability remains central to Weitron’s mission as the company continues to pioneer low-global-warming refrigerant solutions for the industry. Dayton has also fostered a company culture that prizes innovation and invests in its people.

    “I am delighted to welcome Deborah to Penn Vet’s Board of Advisors,” said Andrew Hoffman, DVM, DSc, DACVIM, the Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine. “Her success in building Weitron into a global leader in refrigerant solutions, her commitment to sustainability, and her dedication to fostering an innovative, people-first culture speak to her vision and drive. Deborah’s generous support of the Best Dog Good Samaritan Fund further reflects a genuine commitment to the animals and families we serve. We are fortunate to have her insight and dedication as we continue to advance Penn Vet’s mission.”

    A three-time graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Dayton earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics and an MBA from the Wharton School, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. Her Penn ties extend to the next generation: her children, Cara and Ryan, are also Penn graduates.

    Dayton’s passion for animal welfare is reflected in both her personal life and her philanthropic work. A horse and dog owner for many years, she and her family have long been clients of both Ryan Hospital and the School’s large animal hospital, New Bolton Center. In 2022, she established the Best Dog Good Samaritan Fund at Ryan Hospital, which has positively impacted the care of numerous animals and their families seeking veterinary care. Dayton has also supported several clinical priorities at New Bolton Center.

    “Animals have always been part of my family’s life, and we’ve relied on Penn Vet’s expertise and compassion for many years,” said Dayton. “I’m honored to give back to an institution that has meant so much to us, and I look forward to supporting its mission for animals and the people who love them.”

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    About Penn Vet

    Ranked among the top ten veterinary schools worldwide, the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) is a global leader in veterinary education, research, and clinical care. Founded in 1884, Penn Vet is the first veterinary school developed in association with a medical school. The school is a proud member of the One Health initiative, linking human, animal, and environmental health.

    Penn Vet serves a diverse population of animals at its two campuses, which include extensive diagnostic and research laboratories. Ryan Hospital in Philadelphia provides care for dogs, cats, and other domestic/companion animals, handling more than 30,000 patient visits a year. New Bolton Center, Penn Vet’s large-animal hospital on nearly 700 acres in rural Kennett Square, PA, cares for horses and livestock/farm animals. The hospital handles more than 6,300 patient visits a year, while our Field Services have gone out on more than 5,500 farm service calls, treating some 22,400 patients at local farms. In addition, New Bolton Center’s campus includes a swine center, working dairy, and poultry unit that provide valuable research for the agriculture industry.