Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC) has updated its slate of board of directors for the year ahead, electing new leadership, welcoming a new member,and celebrating those members departing due to term limits.
“I am consistently grateful for the time, energy, and expertise our Board brings to our work,” said Caitlyn Dudas, PSC’s executive director. “Our impact is a direct result of their extraordinary leadership.”
After joining the board in 2020 and serving as the vice chair for the last year, David Yaskulka was unanimously elected as the board chair for a two-year term. David brings a wealth of experience to the PSC. He is MidAmerica Pet Food's senior vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility, following a successful turn as the CEO of Nature’s Logic from 2019-2022. He also served as the Greater Good Charities' board chair from 2018-2022.
PSC also welcomes new Board Member Rebecca Rose, the CEO of InClover Research, a leader in scientifically formulated supplements for animals, where her work includes product innovation and sustainability. Rebecca’s experience ranges from working with Fortune 500 companies to playing a pivotal role in four start-up companies. Rose is a biochemist and author of three patents on treating joint disorders and formerly served on the National Animal Supplement Council Board.
“As a First Follower of the Pet Sustainability Coalition, I see, believe, and am inspired by the vision of a thriving and collaborative pet industry that creates a positive impact,” says Rose. “I am elated to join the PSC Board and help to advance our industry.”
Along with these welcome changes, PSC’s outgoing chair, Stephanie Volo, has transitioned into the role of chair emeritus following an eight-year tenure, including two years as chair. With her then company, Planet Dog, and now as the chief impact officer of Earth Animal, Volo is a founding member of PSC. She has provided invaluable guidance and inspiration to the growth of PSC where she has advocated for innovative impact programs including Flex Forward, the industry’s only collaborative return-to-retail recycling pilot program, and Impact Unleashed, PSC’s highly-rated multi-day sustainability conference.
In addition, Ted Mischaikov, the former CEO of Primal Pet Food Group and Health Pet, who brought more than a decade of management and business development skills to the organization, reached the end of a six-year term. Ted brought insight and leadership based on his many years of executive experience in the pet industry with a focus on financial management and planning through PSC’s Board Finance Committee.
"I'm humbled and thrilled to help this extraordinary staff and group of fellow volunteers move our industry toward greater and greater sustainability,” says Yaskulka. “I want to welcome Rebecca, and to thank board members Stephie Volo and Ted Mischaikov for their leadership and years of service."
The PSC board model is unique to the pet industry--board members volunteer 100% of their time and not only serve as strategic advisors with fiscal responsibility, but they also sit on working committees and finance their board participation including travel, lodging, and time. Additional board responsibilities include member recruitment and philanthropic support. PSC board seats are limited to two three-year terms, bringing in new ideas and energy that reflect the rapid advancement of sustainability in the pet industry. Current and prior board members report their years of service on the PSC board to be highly fulfilling both personally and professionally. To learn more about board leadership at PSC, email [email protected].
