Women in Petfood Leadership (WIPL) is recruiting mentors and mentees for its Mentorship program, which connects participants with experienced professionals in the pet food industry.
The program will pair mentees with mentor leaders in the pet food sector for online discussions at their convenience. Participants can choose between one-to-one mentoring or small group sessions with three or fewer people.
“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. “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.”
The time commitment requires an initial meeting within the first month to assess compatibility between mentor and mentee. Following that, participants set their own schedules for future discussions.
“Our Mentor/Mentee program connects mentees passionate about growing their careers with enthusiastic WIPL mentors who possess extensive professional experience to provide guidance, support and advocacy tailored to the mentee's specific interests and needs,” added Gross.
Mentors
WIPL is looking for mentors who are enthusiastic about sharing expertise on career navigation and leadership, eager to guide and support women in the pet food industry, committed to fostering an inclusive environment, and aiming to make a meaningful impact through mentorship.
All WIPL members in the LinkedIn group can sign up as mentors regardless of their expertise level or career stage.
Mentees
WIPL is looking for mentees who are passionate about personal and career growth, eager to contribute diverse perspectives, actively seeking mentorship from field experts, and interested in fostering a supportive WIPL community.
Mentees should consider their short-term and long-term goals and the steps involved to reach them when preparing for discussions. Mentors will help establish a path forward based on these priorities.
“The successful outcomes of the mentorship program will include a continuous cycle of giving and receiving from both mentors and mentees, to propel careers forward while fostering inclusivity and empowerment,” said Gross. “This program is not a 'one-and-done' activity. Ideally, we want to create a vibrant, supportive and empowered community of women in the pet food industry.”
The deadline to indicate interest in the Mentorship program is December 10, 2025. Mentor-mentee matches will be sent to participants in early January 2026.
While exact mentor-mentee matches cannot be guaranteed, all mentors offer professional expertise tailored to mentees' interests and needs. If an assigned mentor is not a good fit, participants can easily switch to a different mentor.
Upcoming opportunities
In addition to the Mentorship program, WIPL also supports women through a series of virtual chats with pet food industry leaders.
“These recorded sessions feature prominent women leaders in the pet food industry who share their insights, stories and real-world experiences on mentorship and leadership,” she explained. “These valuable insights can help women learn from other's experiences as they build their career paths within the industry.”
WIPL plans to add more of these informative virtual talks in early 2026. For more information or to see future chats, visit the Women in Petfood Leadership page at petfoodforumevents.com. To get involved, visit WIPL’s LinkedIn page.
To get involved with the Women in Petfood Leadership Mentorship Program, click here.
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