We've been lucky to have Meredith as part of #LifeAtPetSmart for over 20 years! Her story is one you won't want to miss—check out below to learn more about her journey and favorite parts of working at PetSmart!
Tell us a bit about your PetSmart journey – where did you start, where are you now, and how did you get there?
Meredith: I proudly began my career at PetSmart in 1997 at Bellingham, Massachusetts store 797 as an hourly Specialty (aka Pet Care) associate. PetSmart had less than a few hundred stores at the time and it was my first real (tax-paying) job as a teenager. Since then, my career at PetSmart has been a lattice-work of both promotions and lateral moves to different departments, including the stores/Field as well as the corporate office in Store Ops, Corp. Comm., Real Estate, and Finance, that afforded me opportunities to understand the business and how I could add value in a deep and holistic way.
Now, I’m grateful to be leading one of the best Loss Prevention and Safety teams in retail as Vice President of LP and Safety. Our job is keeping the pack safe and protecting profit at our stores, distribution centers, online, and at our home offices. My professional growth path also led me to a few development opportunities outside of PetSmart earlier in my career, but grateful to be an aspiring “lifer” here at PetSmart for over 20 years and counting.
I attribute my career progression to:
being surrounded by an incredibly talented and passionate team and partners who I learn from every day
helping others’ see the future and their potential
a habit of ‘doing it anyway’ when I feel I’m outside my comfort zone, and
aiming to be kind and hopefully useful wherever I can
No matter your position in an organization, I believe anyone can add value by focusing on:
developing the team you serve
decisioning and communicating well, and
delivering results
Why do you enjoy your #LifeAtPetSmart?
Meredith: No matter the role, the goal or the challenges, because our vision and mission remains focused on making a difference in the lives of pet parents and pets, it’s always felt like work worth doing.
I belong at PetSmart. Inclusion and diversity happens naturally as a part of our culture with pets at the center of what we all do. I’m grateful to be encouraged and celebrated for showing up as my whole self, and to be a part of leading a culture of helping others do the same, and collectively doing our best work as a company because of it.
To the right is a photo of my wife Meredith and me (yes we’re both named Meredith) attending the Human Rights Campaign Gala (pre-COVID) earlier this year sponsored by PetSmart. It’s a beautiful thing when your work life and home life are a continuum of the real you.
Why should folks looking to grow their career choose PetSmart?
Meredith: This is a complex business, you will be challenged and undoubtedly grow and be rewarded for it. Join us - if not for the inspiring culture (I mean c’mon - puppies, fish, unconditional love!), as a professional you will be surrounded by the best and the brightest and you won’t regret the difference you’ll make in the lives of so many people and pets.
Any favorite stories or moments from over the years at PetSmart that you’d like to share?
Meredith: My favorite moments have been watching associates develop their careers and realize their potential as leaders.