Speakers

Stay tuned for the 2025 Pet Food Processing Exchange speaker lineup, coming Spring 2025.

Jon Copeland

Research Manager
MarketPlace

As research manager at MarketPlace, owners of Nextin Research, Jon Copeland leads an insights team that specializes in consumer research for business and brand strategy. With a focus on pet and human nutrition categories, his work has generated insights into consumers’ motivations and behaviors. Having fielded numerous studies on behalf of pet brands, Copeland is plugged into the needs of today’s pet parents. For the past several years, he has built a body of pet category research based on an annual survey of pet parents that is available on MarketPlace's syndicated research platform: NextinResearch.com. Additionally, he has conducted primary research in the human nutrition space, where trends often precede those in the pet market. He received his Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia and a Master of Arts degree in Advertising and Public Relations from the University of Alabama.

Mary-Grace Danao

Ph.D., Research Associate Professor
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Mary-Grace Danao, Ph.D., is a research associate professor in the Department of Food Science and Technology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). Her research interests are in the broad area of value-added processing, focusing on high pressure processing (HPP), high pressure homogenization and freeze drying. Since 2017, she has coordinated the HPP & Engineering Services Laboratory of The Food Processing Center at UNL. She and her team conduct microbial challenge, process optimization, process validation and shelf-life studies. At UNL, Danao teaches a class in Pet Food Manufacturing to support the new undergraduate minor program in Food Technology for Companion Animals. She received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from the University of Florida and a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering from the University of Kentucky.

Shannon Falconer

Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and Founder
BioCraft Pet Nutrition

Shannon Falconer, Ph.D., is the chief executive officer and founder of BioCraft Pet Nutrition, a biotechnology company pioneering animal cell-cultured ingredients for pet food manufacturers. Founded in 2016, BioCraft was the first company dedicated exclusively to developing animal cell-cultured ingredients tailored to the unique nutritional needs of cats and dogs. Falconer received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from McMaster University and has authored eight peer-reviewed scientific publications. As a postdoctoral research fellow in Microbiology and Immunology at Stanford University, she turned down a prestigious scholarship to pursue her vision to create the ultimate pet food ingredient — one that delivers health benefits for cats and dogs, is kinder to farmed animals, and is environmentally sustainable. She is also a lifelong animal rescue volunteer and has two rescue dogs, Nori and River.

Marcial Guevara

Ph.D., Global Senior Technical Product Manager for Pets
Novonesis

Marcial Guevara, Ph.D., is the global senior technical product manager for pets at Novonesis, where he drives innovation in biosolutions for companion animals. With a deep passion for research and animal wellbeing, he brings extensive expertise in prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics — key ingredients shaping the future of pet wellness. His career includes roles as a clinical scientist at Procter & Gamble Pet Care and a regulatory scientist at Mars Petcare, combining scientific rigor with hands-on product development. Guevara received his veterinary degree from Universidad Centroccidental Lisandro Alvarado in Venezuela, and a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Companion Animal Nutrition from the University of Illinois.

Jim Holdrieth

Chief Executive Officer
Muenster Milling

Jim Holdrieth is the chief executive officer of Muenster Milling Company, a leading manufacturer of freeze-dried and extruded pet food and inclusions. Muenster Milling provides private label and contract manufacturing solutions to top pet food brands and retailers, while also marketing its own Muenster brand through pet specialty and e-commerce channels. Holdrieth joined the company in November 2023, bringing more than 30 years of leadership experience in manufacturing. Holdrieth’s career began at Ashland Specialty Chemical and included stops at Mitsubishi International Food Ingredients, SensoryEffects and Balchem. Most recently, Holdrieth served as president and CEO of Florida Food Products, where he led the expansion of manufacturing operations and the commercialization of innovative technologies that enabled customers to bring new products to market. Holdrieth attended the Ohio State University where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

Michael Johnson

Principal
BSM Partners

Michael Johnson is a consumer insights and trends thought leader in the pet industry and a principal at BSM Partners, a full-service technical business services consulting firm with a primary focus in the pet, nutraceutical, human food and nutrition industries. BSM Partners provides customized, turnkey solutions for product development, nutrition, research, veterinary, engineering, manufacturing operations, business transformation, marketing, food safety, quality assurance and regulatory. Johnson has more than two decades of experience advising and providing brands and investors with actionable consumer insights, and groundbreaking data and analysis on new industry trends. He regularly lectures on pet trends and presents his findings at key industry gatherings.

Greg Kean

Global Vice President of Innovation & Nutrition
Wellness Pet Company

Greg Kean has worked for Wellness Pet Company for 25 years, currently serving as global vice president of Innovation & Nutrition. His experience spans all facets of product development and nutrition where he translates consumer and pet insights into new products. He has combined his passion for science and consumer goods to collaboratively launch hundreds of products across the globe. He studied Food Science and Chemistry and is a member of the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists.

Rich Kelleman

Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Bond Pet Foods

Rich Kelleman is the founder and chief executive officer of Bond Pet Foods, a Boulder, Colo.-based company that’s working with food technology to produce animal proteins such as chicken, turkey and fish without the animal for the pet food industry. Using some of the same processes that are employed in craft brewing, Bond produces high-quality animal proteins through fermentation, harvests them to better meet the nutritional requirements of companion animals, and supplies the ingredients to manufacturers for pet food, treat and supplement applications. Before diving into the world of pets and food tech, Kelleman held vice president and director roles at Crispin, Porter + Bogusky, FCB and Fallon, where he led brand strategy for Burger King, P&G, Kellogg’s and Coca-Cola, among others. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from Boston College, with additional study at Stanford University’s Center for Social Innovation.

Lindsay Meyers

Vice President of Quality, Nutrition and Compliance
Primal Pet Foods

Lindsay Meyers is vice president of Quality, Nutrition and Compliance for Primal Pet Foods, where she oversees all aspects of quality assurance, product nutrition and formulation, and regulatory affairs. As a certified veterinary technician and active member of The American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition (AAVN) and New Hampshire Veterinary Technician Association (NHVTA), Meyers has spent more than 15 years practicing veterinary medicine across emergency, critical care, and exotic and small animal general practice. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science Pre-Veterinary Medicine from the University of New Hampshire Durham.

Adam Mutschler

Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer
Archway Pet Food

As co-founder and chief strategy officer of Archway Pet Food, Adam Mutschler is part of a dedicated team exploring alternative proteins in the pet food industry, developing solutions that aim to be both hypoallergenic and more environmentally responsible. With experience in technology and startups, Mutschler found himself drawn to pet nutrition after conversations with his co-founder Gabriel Huertas del Pino about the challenges pets with food sensitivities face. Together, they began researching unconventional protein sources including cricket protein, black soldier fly larvae, and copi (invasive carp. Before joining the pet nutrition space, Mutschler spent seven years at Apple in training and development roles. Later, as partner and leadership coach at The Kedar Group, he supported startup executives as they developed their leadership capabilities. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Behavior from Northwestern University.

Frank Niles

Ph.D., Principal of Business Transformation
BSM Partners

Frank Niles, Ph.D., is a renowned business psychologist and trusted advisor to leaders and organizations around the world in the areas of leadership, wellbeing, culture and DEI. He is principal of Business Transformation at BSM Partners, where he consults with some of the leading global brands, including Walmart, Tyson Foods, State Farm and FlipKart, as well as venture capital firms and start-ups. Niles holds a Ph.D. in Political Psychology from the University of Houston (University Park) and is a founding partner and past managing partner of Scholar Executive Group, a boutique executive coaching and counseling firm.

Allison Reser

Director of Sustainability & Innovation
Pet Sustainability Coalition

Allison Reser is a sustainability leader dedicated to driving impactful change in the pet industry. As the director of Sustainability & Innovation at the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC), she oversees programs that address climate action, sustainable packaging and responsible sourcing. With a Master of Science degree in Sustainability Management from Columbia University, Reser has diverse experience ranging from environmental education to circular economy advocacy. A skilled project manager and public speaker, she collaborates with industry leaders to create scalable solutions.

Jim Ritchie

President and Chief Executive Officer
RedStone Logistics

Jim Ritchie has spent more than 35 years in the logistics and supply chain management industry. His experience includes running the retail and consumer products group for Ryder Logistics business unit before leaving to start up Meridian IQ Logistics. In 2012, Ritchie founded RedStone Logistics. In addition to his CEO role at RedStone Logistics, he has been an instructor for the University of Kansas graduate program for supply chain management. Ritchie instructs the capstone course for logistics officers from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. He received a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design – Architecture from California State University at Long Beach.

Worth Turner

Chief Executive Officer
CompletePet

Worth Turner is the chief executive officer of CompletePet, LLC, a contract manufacturer of pet wellness solutions including nutritional supplement soft chews, liquid nutritional toppers and nutritional powders, with facilities in Florida and Vermont. CompletePet was formed in February 2025 when Miami-based Custom Veterinary Services, LLC (CVS) acquired Green Mountain Animal. Turner formerly served as CEO of CVS. Prior to joining CVS as an investor and CEO, Turner was the president and CEO of Colorado Quality Products, LLC (CQP), a contract manufacturer of skin and beauty products to the human CPG market. He led a team that acquired CQP and transformed it from a small, family-run operation into the market leader in natural and organic beauty manufacturing. Turner received a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Spanish from Vanderbilt University.

Dana Waters

Manager of International Affairs
Pet Food Institute

Dana Waters is the manager of International Affairs at the Pet Food Institute (PFI), where she addresses international trade policy and regulatory challenges impacting US pet food exports. She assists in overseeing PFI’s market access programs in cooperation with the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and serves as the staff liaison to PFI’s International Trade Subcommittee. She works closely with industry stakeholders and government partners to expand global opportunities for US pet food manufacturers while maintaining access to existing markets. As part of her work, Waters has traveled to Brazil, the UAE, the Philippines and Canada, where she has collaborated with industry leaders and government officials to navigate regulatory challenges and develop emerging export markets. She received a Bachelor of Political Science degree with a concentration in International Affairs from Georgia State University.

Tara Zedayko

Chief Scientific Officer
Ollie

Tara Zedayko brings more than 20 years of expertise in life sciences, consumer product innovation, and healthcare commercialization to her role as chief scientific officer at Ollie. At Ollie, her mission is to empower pet parents with cutting-edge data and imaging technology, giving pets a voice in their health and wellness. A distinguished health tech executive, innovator and inventor, she holds more than nine patents spanning human and pet health technologies. Her research has been featured in over eight peer-reviewed articles, earning hundreds of citations in both engineering and medical journals. Before joining Ollie, Zedayko founded and successfully exited DIG Labs, a health technology startup where her groundbreaking AI-driven image analysis helped tens of thousands of users annually. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Engineering degree from Cornell University and a Master of Business Administration from New York University.

Brittany White

Vice President of Research, Development and Engineering and Commercial Enablement
Ollie

As the vice president of research, development and engineering (RD&E) and Commercial Enablement at Ollie, Brittany White, Ph.D., oversees product development, commercialization, food safety and quality to drive innovation and growth, focusing on handcrafted, human-grade pet food to transform the industry and help dogs live happier, healthier lives. White has a strong background in food chemistry and ingredient functionality, with a continued interest to drive forward new innovative technologies and concepts. Her graduate work focused on the impact of processing on bioactive compounds in fruits and vegetables. White’s passion for pet food product development started when she served as a college intern with Simmons Pet Food. Before joining Ollie, she served as senior director of Product Development for Simmons Pet Food and worked for the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) where her work centered on the chemistry and post-harvest quality of peanuts. She received her Bachelor of Science degree and Ph.D. in Food Science from the University of Arkansas.