MIAMI — Next-generation pet wellness brand Golden Child announced the appointment of Connor Stastny as chief executive officer on July 29. Stastny will lead the brand’s next phase of growth. 

Stastny joins Golden Child from Grüns, a direct-to-consumer (DTC) nutrition and supplement brand that was recently acquired by Unilever in a billion-dollar deal. He originally joined Grüns as chief financial officer, before becoming president earlier this year, overseeing the company’s organizational execution and building out its data and finance operations. Prior to Grüns, Stastny held C-suite roles at Byte, a DTC orthodontics company that was acquired for more than $1 billion at 24 months of launch.

According to Golden Child, Stastny has been a consistent advocate for building operational systems that empower teams to pursue excellence.

“When we set out to find the right person to lead Golden Child, we knew they had to both genuinely believe in our mission to make pet parenthood easier, happier and healthier, and bring the right operational skillset to scale the business into a household brand,” said Quentin Lacornerie, co-founder and chief product officer of Golden Child. “Connor understood our values immediately — his track record growing exceptional subscription businesses that require earning consumer trust and his vision for Golden Child made this an easy decision. We’re thrilled to have him helm the team for our next chapter.”

In his new role at Golden Child, Stastny will focus on scaling the brand’s core product offerings, attracting talent and building its foundation to support long-term growth. He will join the brand’s founding team, which includes a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, nutrition scientist, classically trained chef and fresh food supply chain expert. Combined, Golden Child’s founding team has extensive experience from top companies like The Farmer’s Dog, HelloFresh, Royal Canin, Nestlé Purina and Pepperidge Farm. 

“What excites me about Golden Child is the chance to build something that improves lives for dogs and the people who love them,” Stastny said. “I’m a believer in businesses that support universal flourishing, and research shows dog ownership is associated with a 24% reduction in all-cause mortality in humans. If we can make dog ownership effortless with a solution like Golden Child, that impact compounds. The science and the mission here are exceptional, and I’m proud to join a team that takes both seriously.”

Stastny’s appointment reinforces Golden Child’s dedication to building its brand with intention and world-class leadership in an effort to transform the premium pet food category. 

Read more about personnel changes throughout the industry. 

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