Women in Petfood Leadership completed its first mentorship program, pairing 13 experienced mentors with 77 mentees for career guidance and professional development across the pet food industry. The program fostered meaningful connections, skill-building, and networking opportunities that helped participants advance their careers and transition into leadership roles.
- Program Scale: 13 mentors paired with 77 mentees across online and in-person discussions
- Key Topics Covered: Career growth, communication, leadership transitions, networking, resilience, and difficult conversations management
- Measurable Outcomes: Mentees received completion certificates and many continued relationships beyond the program, with some arranging meetings at industry events
- Future Goals: Next cohort expected January or February 2027
Women in Petfood Leadership (WIPL) has completed the first round of its Mentorship program, which paired 13 mentors with 77 mentees for career guidance across the pet food industry.
According to Leah Lambrakis, vice president of research and development, nutrition and scientific affairs at Simmons Pet Food, group discussions covered a range of professional development topics, including career growth, communication, visibility, advocacy, influence, networking, resilience, burnout, development plans and difficult conversations. Circles also addressed the transition from technical contributor to leader.
“Across the circles, mentors shared that they had strong conversations and some really meaningful connections,” said Lambrakis. “Several arranged to meet at industry events, and some circles or individual mentoring relationships are continuing beyond the program.”
One circle, led by mentor Chloe Champion, a pet food industry executive and sales manager who works for IQI Trusted Petfood Ingredients, was based in and focused on Europe.
Mentees who completed the program received completion certificates.
Where it began
WIPL launched the Mentorship program in November 2025, pairing mentees with mentor leaders in the pet food sector for online discussions scheduled at participants' convenience. Participants could choose between one-to-one mentoring or small group sessions of three or fewer people. The time commitment required an initial meeting within the first month to assess compatibility between mentor and mentee, after which participants set their own schedules.
"Our mentorship program sits at the heart of the WIPL purpose, which is to support women in advancing their careers as leaders within the pet food industry," said Kathy Gross, Ph.D., adjunct professor with the Kansas State University Pet Food Program, at the program's launch. "The WIPL Mentorship program is important because it’s designed to build skills, confidence and networks that empower women in our industry to achieve their goals."
Gross said the program is designed to connect mentees passionate about growing their careers with experienced WIPL mentors who provided guidance, support and advocacy tailored to each mentee's interests and needs.
A future program would likely begin no earlier than January or February, Lambrakis said.
