Nutrition remains top priority for pet parents. As attention has increased, so to have expectations. In a market crowded with premium promises and functional claims, leaders face rising pressure to scale trust, margin, and scientific credibility.
Explore what truly drives differentiation on packed shelves and leave with actionable strategies to future-proof portfolios, validate claims, and lead in this high-growth, high-stakes landscape.
Jared Jacobs
Rich Kelleman
Rich is the Co-Founder and CEO of Bond Pet Foods, a Boulder, Colorado-based start-up that’s working with biotechnology to make pet food from pure microbial and recombinant animal proteins like chicken, turkey and fish, without the animal. Before diving into the world of pets and food tech, Rich was a strategic planner at a number of advertising agencies for more than 20 years including CP+B, Upshot, FCB and Fallon, where he lead brand strategy for brands like Burger King, P&G, Kellogg’s, and Coca-Cola
Dan Schaefer
Dan Schaefer is the co-founder and CEO of Native Pet, a pet nutrition company raising the standard for dog supplements. After earning his MBA from the University of Michigan, he began his career in strategy and finance at the Boston Consulting Group before moving into entrepreneurship. Driven by the belief that dogs deserve better than the industry status quo, Dan co-founded Native Pet to deliver highly effective, science-backed formulas developed in partnership with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. Dan lives in St. Louis with his wife, two children, and their dog, Louie.