EDMONTON, ALBERTA — A coach’s proudest moment is seeing the team achieve. This philosophy has guided Stacey Osborn through her many leadership roles in the pet industry and is now leading her to success in her current role as president of Champion Petfoods.
“…what is most meaningful to me is watching the growth and success of team members I have personally coached or mentored,” she said.
In the following Q&A, Osborn shares how Champion Petfoods’ business strategies are guiding her work as president of the company and advises women to bring their unique perspectives to their work in the pet food industry.
PFP: How did you get your start in the pet industry, and how did that experience lead you to where you are now?
Osborn: I started in the pet industry more than 14 years ago, first as the vice president of marketing for Banfield Pet Hospital, then onto Royal Canin both in the United States and Asia, where I held various sales, marketing and general management roles. The unique experiences across these different Mars Petcare businesses set me up to take on my current role as president of Champion Petfoods, where we make award-winning ORIJEN™ and ACANA™ dog and cat foods. As someone who enjoys maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle, leading a pet food company that emphasizes quality ingredients to support long, healthy and happy lives is an absolute dream come true for me.
PFP: Tell me about a professional accomplishment in the pet industry that you are proud of.
“I feel strongly that success in this industry must come from a place of teamwork, respect and support, and witnessing colleagues reach milestones in their careers brings me a great sense of accomplishment,” said Stacey Osborn of Champion Petfoods.
Osborn: While I am proud of my leadership at Banfield Pet Hospital, Royal Canin and now Champion Petfoods, what is most meaningful to me is watching the growth and success of team members I have personally coached or mentored. I feel strongly that success in this industry must come from a place of teamwork, respect and support, and witnessing colleagues reach milestones in their careers brings me a great sense of accomplishment. It’s one of my biggest passions.
PFP: What is top of mind for you and/or your business in the industry right now?
Osborn: There are three areas of the business we are focused on right now. 1) Innovation. Developing nutritious, biologically appropriate recipes that offer solutions for pet lovers looking to nourish their dogs and cats with the best food is top of mind as we strive to have an ORIJEN or ACANA food that works for every pet.
2) Our global presence. The love we have for our pets is universal. There is an incredible opportunity for ORIJEN and ACANA brands to reach more pet lovers in different markets, so we’re focused on strengthening our availability in every corner of the world.
3) Sustainability. As industry leaders, we need to take care of the world we currently live in and ensure our carbon footprint is as small as possible. This also means we need to source our ingredients from suppliers that have the same quality and sustainability standards that we do.
PFP: What advice would you give to other women in this industry?
Osborn: Women are the main purchasers of consumer-packaged goods — in all industry categories — so women in the pet industry can offer a unique perspective when it comes to growing the business, from trend forecasting to product innovation to the experiences we want and need throughout the purchasing cycles. I encourage women in this industry to bring their personal experiences and best ideas to the table. Their contributions are very important in the decision-making process for all facets of the business.
PFP: Just for fun, do you consider yourself a dog person or a cat person? Or, if you have pets of your own, tell us a little bit about them.
Osborn: I am an animal lover through and through — I don’t think there is a single animal on this planet that I don’t adore. That said, I have a special place in my heart for dogs, specifically Golden Retrievers. My last dog, Codie, was my best friend who traveled the world with me as I took on new professional opportunities. Now that I’m getting settled into my new life in Colorado, I’m actively looking to rescue another Golden Retriever or shelter pup. As a passionate dog mom who wants the best for my own pets, I think about Champion’s purpose every day as we work “To Earn Pet Lover Trust Every Day so Pets Thrive for a Lifetime.”
In her current role as president of Champion Petfoods, Stacey Osborn is focused on innovation, expanding the company’s global presence and achieving sustainability goals. Before joining Champion Petfoods, she led Royal Canin’s businesses in Asia and the United States in various sales and management roles. She also served as the vice president of marketing for Banfield Pet Hospital. Osborn earned her bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of California at Berkeley and her Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management from The Wharton School.
Continue reading about other female leaders featured in our Women in the Pet Industry series.
