Steve King, CEO of the American Pet Products Association (APPA), is pleased to announce that Chanda Leary-Coutu has been elected to serve on the board as a director.
Leary-Coutu is director, consumer experience and marketing communications for WellPet, a leader in natural pet nutrition with brands including Wellness, WHIMZEES, Old Mother Hubbard, Sojos, Holistic Select and Eagle Pack.. With 14 years of experience in the pet care community, she’s a proven communications and marketing leader with extensive knowledge in global, local and omni-channel marketing, internal and external communications and digital marketing and social media.
“On behalf of the APPA team, we’re proud to welcome Chanda and believe she will be a tremendous asset to the board,” said King. “Chanda’s marketing expertise coupled with her passion for supporting and promoting responsible pet ownership, makes her the ideal candidate to continue elevating the board and its efforts to serve not only the association but the entire pet industry.”
Leary-Coutu said, “I’m honored to serve among this group of some of the industry’s top professionals and key thought-leaders. With the ever-changing world we live in today, it’s critical that the pet care community continue to evolve. As someone who is not only dedicated to serving WellPet’s mission to make sure all pets are born, bred and raised with love, I’m also a passionate pet parent and am truly looking forward to doing my part as a board member to positively contribute to the future of this thriving industry.”
Leary-Coutu has been closely involved with Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and has participated in initiatives led by the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC). Additionally, she leads WellPet’s Wellness Foundation and partnership with Best Friends Animal Society, and serves on the board of directors for the Better Business Bureau of New England. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications/Marketing from Boston College and a Master of Science in Communications from Boston University. Additionally, she participated in the Graduate Certificate Program at MIT Sloan in Cambridge, MA, where she earned a certificate in Digital Business Strategy. Leary-Coutu is a proud pet parent to two dogs, a toy aussiedoodle named Annabelle and a Sheltie she rescued named Stanley, in addition to her rescue cat Brownee.
