The Next Generation – Jr. Board Member Interview
In May’s WISE Jr. Board Member Interview, we are featuring Phoebe Fox, a Sr. Brand Marketing Manager at Simmons Pet Food, Inc.
Phoebe is a passionate individual whose career in the pet food industry has taken her from national advertising campaigns to building brands from the ground up. With a deep-rooted love for pets and a keen eye on evolving consumer trends, she now brings her energy and insights to Simmons Pet Food. As a member of the WISE Jr. Board of Directors, she’s also committed to fostering a safe and supportive space for professionals in the store brand industry.
WISE: Can you tell us about your career journey and what led you to your current role at Simmons Pet Food?
Phoebe: My career journey started on the advertising agency side of the industry with leading national brand Pet Food clients. I spent around 7 years working across national and shopper specific campaigns in the pet space. After that time, I wanted to try my hand on the in-house side of things, which is where I found Simmons Pet Food!
WISE: What trends are you seeing in the pet food space that you’re excited about?
Phoebe: Humanization. We continue to see pet parents treating their animals like part of the family leading to an interest in more premium, higher quality food and nutrients that they would seek for themselves or their children. The interest and rise of supplements in the pet food space has also been super interesting to watch.
WISE: What’s one project or accomplishment in your career that you’re especially proud of?
Phoebe: Launching one of our brands, A Strong Heart on Amazon in 2024 and watching it take off. Building a business from the ground up has been really rewarding!
WISE: What’s something about you that people might be surprised to learn?
Phoebe: My first car was a Mini Cooper! I loved it so much…. Until it burnt down on the side of a Missouri highway on the way back from a road trip!
WISE: What inspired you to join the WISE Jr. Board of Directors?
Phoebe: A colleague of mine, Leslie, who is now retired served on the board for many years and highly recommended I become a part of the organization!
WISE: Where do you see WISE headed in the next few years, and how do you hope to contribute to that vision?
Phoebe: Continuing to make a safe space for Women and Men in the Store brand industry to come together and support each other and our partners.
WISE: What advice would you give to other young professionals looking to get involved with WISE?
Phoebe: If you have the interest and passion for inclusion in the workplace, you should absolutely join an organization like WISE! Contributing to positive change, and meeting other like-minded people is so valuable!