HR alert: Pet industry firms refresh leadership teams

From finance and commercial management to veterinary affairs, technology and operations, several companies across the pet industry have named new leaders in recent weeks.

Mars Pet Nutrition

Jeremiah Ashukian has been appointed Global Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Mars Pet Nutrition, where he will oversee the company’s financial strategy and performance.

Before taking on the role, Ashukian was CFO of condiments maker Sauer Brands. He previously served as Executive Vice President (VP) and CFO at doughnut chain Krispy Kreme.

Ashukian brings more than 2 decades of experience at Mars, most recently as VP of Finance and CFO for confectionery manufacturer Mars Wrigley North America.

Earlier in his career, he held several senior finance leadership roles, including Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer for Mars Wrigley Latin America and Canada, Vice President of Service & Finance and Chief Financial Officer for Mars Chocolate North America, and Director of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) for Mars Chocolate North America.

Farmina

Marcelo Hara is the new Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Italian pet food producer Farmina.

Hara has over 20 years of experience with the business, having held several executive positions, including CEO of Farmina Latin America.

Before joining the company, he worked for animal nutrition firm Provimi, which was acquired by US agribusiness giant Cargill in 2011.

According to Farmina, Hara has led the development of the company’s Latin American operations since 2018. 

Hill’s Pet Nutrition

The Colgate Palmolive subsidiary has appointed Karen Shenoy as Global Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), succeeding Jolle Kirpensteijn, who plans to retire on 30 June after 13 years in the role.

Shenoy will lead Hill’s global Professional & Veterinary Affairs function and represent the company in industry engagements worldwide. Most recently, she was VP and Chief Veterinarian for Hill’s Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

The executive joined Hill’s in 2008 as a practice development veterinarian in Minneapolis and has since advanced through a series of leadership positions. She served as CVO for Hill’s US business from 2022 to 2025.

AFB International

Missouri-based pet food palatant manufacturer AFB International has appointed Robin Olson as VP of Human Resources, effective immediately.

Olson brings more than 2 decades of leadership experience across the healthcare, manufacturing, medical device and software sectors, including at Novanta and Straumann Group. In her new position, she will focus on employee engagement, development, collaboration and continuous improvement.

“Robin’s experience leading transformational change and building high-performing teams will help support AFB’s long-term success,” says Dale Spence, President of AFB International.

Nutreco

Petra Volckaert is the new Chief Digital Officer (CDO) at Dutch animal nutrition and aquafeed company Nutreco.

Volckaert has over 25 years of experience in senior leadership positions spanning digital transformation, technology and business innovation. Most recently, she was Senior VP Digital Partner for Taste, Texture & Health at Swiss-Dutch company dsm-firmenich.

Volckaert will oversee the next phase of Nutreco’s digital transformation, focusing on scaling impact and embedding digital and data-driven capabilities across the global organization.

“Digital, data and AI are becoming increasingly central to how we improve operational efficiency, enhance product quality and drive innovation for our customers. Petra’s appointment reflects our ambition to accelerate this further, including in companion animal nutrition,” a Nutreco spokesperson tells GlobalPETS.

Almo Nature

Italian pet food player Almo Nature has announced a leadership transition, with founder Pier Giovanni Capellino stepping down as CEO from 24 June. Capellino co-founded the business with his brother Lorenzo and has led it for decades. He will remain Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Paul Savant will succeed as CEO. Savant brings 24 years of experience at Nestlé, most recently serving as General Manager and Business Executive Officer (BEO) of Nestlé Purina PetCare Australia.

He has spent more than 10 years in Nestlé’s pet care division, including roles as CEO and Company President of Nestlé Purina PetCare Japan, Head of Sales at Nestlé Purina Australia and Business Development Manager for Walmart Global at Nestlé Purina North America.

Beyond the pet care business, Savant has held senior positions across several Nestlé divisions in China and Switzerland.

According to Almo Nature, the remaining board members will continue in their current positions, with all existing responsibilities and authorities unchanged.

JustFoodForDogs

US fresh pet food company JustFoodForDogs has named Michael Meyer as CEO, succeeding Eric Kufel, who is stepping down for personal health reasons and plans to pursue board and consulting advisory roles.

Meyer brings nearly 20 years of experience building and scaling premium pet and consumer brands. Since 2022, he has served as CEO of premium pet food brand I and love and you. He also previously held leadership and board positions at Wellness Pet Company and Lily’s Kitchen.

Meyer will be responsible for accelerating the company’s growth as it seeks to strengthen its position in the expanding fresh-pet-food category.

“JFFD’s unwavering commitment to transparency, innovation and science-backed nutrition has enabled it to cement a unique position in the fresh pet food category,” says Meyer.

Simmons Animal Nutrition

Tracy Tedder has been named Senior VP of Operations as the company continues to expand its animal nutrition business.

According to the producer, Tedder brings more than 3 decades of experience in the poultry industry, with expertise spanning live production, multi-plant operations, safety and international operations.

Before joining the company, he was Senior VP of Operations and Live at poultry producer Georges Inc., where he led a team of more than 7,000 employees.

Earlier in his career, Tedder spent more than 30 years at food manufacturer Tyson Foods, holding leadership positions in plant management, operations and international poultry operations in China and India.

Partner in Pet Food

Robert Pekar has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at European pet food maker Partner in Pet Food (PPF).

Pekar succeeds Torsten Jacobs, who held the role for 17 years at the Budapest-headquartered firm. 

Prior to his appointment, he spent over a decade at Mars Petcare, most recently as Vice President of Supply, Petcare Europe.