Stella & Chewy’s, the category leader in the freeze-dried raw pet food space, has announced the appointment of Jay Thompson as the company’s new chief executive officer. Thompson brings a wealth of experience from his previous leadership roles at Generous Brands, Utz Quality Foods, Chobani, and PepsiCo, including a strong foundation in finance and strategic growth.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jay Thompson to the Stella & Chewy’s family. Jay’s impressive background in building and scaling beloved consumer brands aligns perfectly with our mission to help pet parents feed their dogs and cats better so their pets live happier, healthier lives. His leadership will be instrumental as we enter our next chapter of growth.”
– Ken Fox, Chairman of the Board.
Founder Marie Moody, who took on the role of interim CEO in 2024, played a key role in bringing together a strong leadership team during this transition. During her most recent tenure, she focused on strengthening the leadership team, realigning company priorities, and reinforcing the brand’s founding mission.
“In this next chapter, it was important to ensure we had the right team in place—leaders with talent, passion, and shared values. With Jay at the helm and a strong executive team supporting him, I am confident we can propel our beloved brand to the next level. When I stepped back into the company, my goal wasn’t only to build the right leadership foundation but also to bring a renewed focus to the core products our customers rely on—premium raw nutrition, delivered in the most convenient form possible. That’s what Stella & Chewy’s was founded to do, and that remains our North Star.”
– Marie Moody, Founder.
Thompson most recently served as chief financial officer at Generous Brands, where he helped broaden the strategic scope of the finance function and supported the company’s rapid growth. Before that, he was part of the leadership team at Chobani, where he helped scale operations during a time of transformational expansion, and at PepsiCo, where he developed deep expertise in profitably growing consumer brands in competitive markets. Now, Thompson is leading Stella & Chewy’s into its next phase of growth.
“Stella & Chewy’s represents a unique opportunity to lead a brand that has set the standard for quality and innovation in the pet food industry. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in improving the health and nutrition of pets everywhere. I’m excited to partner with this talented team to build on the company’s strong foundation, drive strategic growth, and deliver exceptional products that help pets thrive.”
– Thompson.
As CEO, Thompson will focus on scaling the brand’s mission of providing premium, natural pet food that supports the health and well-being of pets worldwide. Under his leadership, the company plans to enhance its product offerings, deepen connections with existing customers and pet families, and significantly expand household penetration. As part of this ongoing momentum, the brand has recently expanded into new retail channels—broadening access to its premium, natural pet food for more pets and pet families across the country.