Meet The Leaders Moving The World Pet Association Forward

WORLD PET ASSOCIATION (WPA) BOARD members help drive the future of pet care thanks to their insights from years of hands-on experience in the pet care industry. Meet the latest professionals who’ve stepped up to lead the WPA for the
betterment of all.

2026-2027 | WPA BOARD

WPA board members serve terms of two years or more. The board as of the annual meeting on Thursday at SUPERZOO 2026 is:

• Executive Committee Chairman: Jeff San Souci
• 1st Vice Chair and Secretary: Dr. Micah Kohles
• 2nd Vice Chair and Treasurer: Chris Clevers
• Past Chair: Michael Lou

Directors

• Heather Coots
• David Dieter
• Mark Dunn
• Jennifer Larsen
• Eleanor McGhee (new)
• Carla Ng-Garrett
• Kirbay Preuss
• Joe Toscano (new)

NEW ADDITIONS

The WPA Board of 2026-27 welcomes two new members: Eleanor McGhee, senior vice president of merchandising and marketing at Hollywood Feed pet supply stores, and Joe Toscano, vice president of trade and industry development at Néstle Purina PetCare Company.

At Hollywood Feed, McGhee leverages data- driven insights to shape retail strategy across the pet specialty chain, focusing on translating consumer behavior, sales performance, and store-level feedback into actionable merchandising and marketing decisions to drive growth. McGhee partners closely with vendors and market researchers to create integrated retail strategies that connect pet parents, brands, community partners and in-store teams. She is particularly passionate about using data to elevate the pet parent experience by helping them make more informed choices for their pets.

McGhee looks forward to giving back to the industry that played such a significant role in her professional growth. “I am passionate about the long-term health and advancement of the pet industry and WPA’s role in uniting the community,” she says. “Having spent my career growing within specialty pet retail, from store-level operations to now leading merchandising, analytics and marketing, I have seen firsthand how collaboration across retailers, manufacturers and educators strengthens the industry and ultimately benefits pets and their owners.”

McGhee appreciates how WPA stands out as an organization that not only connects key industry players but also elevates standards through advocacy, education and events that foster meaningful dialogue. “I am particularly drawn to the opportunity to contribute to that mission by bringing a perspective grounded in data-driven decision making, customer insight and practical retail experience,” she says.

Since graduating from Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing, Joe Toscano has worked for 30-plus years with the Nestlé companies and brands. He’s developed a strong understanding of the pet category and has worked across all classes of trade to create joint value for many different Nestlé and Purina customers. Taking on the role of vice president of trade and industry development in 2016, he currently sits on several industry boards and chairs the Excel Share Group.

Toscano looks forward to serving on the WPA Board of Directors as he believes in the power of the industry to bring people and pets closer together. “Through my role at Purina, I’ve seen the value of strong collaboration across manufacturers, retailers and industry partners,” he says. “I welcome the opportunity to contribute my experience, represent a manufacturer’s perspective, and help support WPA’s work to strengthen the pet care industry and the belief that pets and people are better together.”

The WPA Board of Directors duties include long-term goal setting, investing and supporting the pet industry through advocacy and philanthropy, trade show leadership, and collaborating with key industry groups. Chairman Jeff San Souci says, “Joe Toscano and Eleanor McGhee bring exactly the kind of balanced perspective WPA needs as we continue to support a changing pet industry. Joe represents one of the industry’s most respected national brands, while Eleanor brings the voice of one of pet retail’s premier operators — together adding valuable supplier and retailer insight to the board.”