Petco appoints new HR leader

SAN DIEGO — On Feb. 13, Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. announced the appointment of Holly May to chief human resources officer (CHRO), effective Feb. 4. According to Petco, May will drive its HR strategy to fuel profitable growth and performance, while also advancing the company’s mission to improve the lives of pets, pet parents and Petco partners.

May has extensive expertise and two decades of experience in human resources with a past career of building innovative programs, policies and practices. According to Petco, she is a supporter of fair and progressive HR policies, as well as mental health support and inclusive workplaces.

“Our knowledgeable and passionate partners (employees) are Petco’s most valuable asset and differentiator — everything we do begins with their expertise and ability to deliver hands-on pet care,” said Ron Coughlin, chief executive officer, Petco. “Holly brings an impressive track record of driving comprehensive HR strategies that align with business objectives and deliver transformational growth. On behalf of the entire Petco leadership team, we look forward to working alongside her to continue supporting our 29,000 purpose-driven partners.”

Prior to joining Petco, May served as executive vice president and global chief human resources officer for Walgreens Boots Alliance, where she led all areas of the organization’s global HR and environmental, social and governance (ESG) functions. She has also held executive leaderships roles at Starbucks, Abercrombie & Fitch, Visa and others.

“Over the past week, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many Petco partners, and I’ve directly observed their passion for taking care of pets and pet parents,” May said. “I look forward to helping this high-impact team further harness that passion to fuel both personal and business growth across the organization.”

May is based at Petco’s National Support Center in San Diego. She has a master’s degree in finance from Tulane University and graduated from Wellesley College.

Read more about personnel changes throughout the industry.