How does one start to shift the pet industry as a whole into a more sustainable direction? This is the complex challenge Francesca Mahoney ‘04 considers each day.
At the start of her career, Mahoney didn’t imagine she would become Petco’s Vice President of Sustainability. However, when the opportunity was presented to her after working nearly four years at the company in various brand and marketing positions, she felt honored and excited to take on the role.
“It wasn’t that long ago that our pets slept outside the home and never climbed on furniture,” Mahoney said. “Now, they are part of our families. People are sometimes willing to spend more money on their pets than on themselves!”
Understanding the strong emotive element that pet owners lead with as consumers is easy for Mahoney to tap into. Murphy, her family’s late Jack Russell Terrier, would come to the Petco office with her each day. He snuggled into his dog bed while Mahoney got to work.
A day in the life as the vice president of sustainability involves brainstorming big and small ways to drive sustainability through products and operations. Coming up with solutions isn’t easy, no matter the role.
“Sometimes I would have an idea and talk myself out of it thinking, ‘Well, someone’s probably already thought of that,’” Mahoney said. “As I’ve grown in my career, I’ve learned that no idea is a bad idea. I’m the one to make that call. I get to decide what impact looks like or if I put an idea into motion or not.”
Simple solutions can have a big impact. Mahoney found this to be true when testing Petco stores turning off half of their lights for just one hour during the middle of the day, with no repercussions on customers and workers. And, when all Petco stores joined in on this easy move, a tremendous amount of energy was saved almost immediately.
“When it comes to sustainability, the job is never done,” Mahoney said. “It’s all about how to keep making progress and knowing it’s not going to be perfect. It’s going to be bumpy, we don’t have all the answers, but we have to just start and try.”
Embodying the consumer mindset
Like many, Mahoney’s career has not been linear. And, she wants current students to know that is more than okay. Her winding journey started 20 years ago as a Retailing (now Consumer Behavior & Marketplace Studies) major at the School of Human Ecology.
Unsure of what to major in at first, Mahoney recalled how much she enjoyed working retail jobs in high school. Finessing customer service skills and adapting to the quick pace of staying current in the retail industry drew her in. When she learned about the School of Human Ecology and the Retailing program, everything clicked. Taking a variety of courses in business, economics, as well as electives in fashion design, encouraged Mahoney to remain open to different ways of thinking and career paths. This skill would come in handy as she ventured into the post-graduate world.
“During my studies, what resonated with me was taking into account the consumer point of view,” Mahoney said. “It’s fun and challenging to consider how consumers make decisions, why they have certain wants and needs, and then figuring out how you can structure a business or a product to meet a consumer where they are.”
Mahoney’s internship at a Madison-area Target gave her experience in approaching projects from a consumer perspective. While interning there, Mahoney learned the ins and outs of HR processes, visual merchandising and loss prevention protocols — all while getting a behind-the-scenes perspective at a large retail leader. Toward the end of her senior year, Mahoney applied for and was accepted into the Target business analyst program. Upon graduating, she started her career in corporate retail, first focused on merchandising, and then later shifting to marketing.
Tapping into the lifelong learner mindset she established as a Human Ecology student, Mahoney remained flexible and welcomed her changing career interests. Leaning into curiosity and collaboration, she sought out mentors who were doing work that interested her.
“I highly recommend — no matter what stage of your career — to find colleagues or mentors who you can have honest career conversations with,” Mahoney said. “Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. It really takes the first job to open up your viewpoint on what else is out there.”
Savoring full-circle moments
Recalling her years as a Human Ecology student in the early 2000s, Mahoney is grateful for the exposure to so many different topics and classes. Trying a little bit of everything allowed her to test drive a handful of career paths and envision herself in many roles.
Even in a vice president role, Mahoney is candid to admit she doesn’t know what is next for her career.
“If I’ve learned anything, it’s that career paths are rarely direct,” Mahoney said. “What keeps me focused is believing in myself and my ability to make an impact.”
Last year, Mahoney reconnected with the School of Human Ecology — Zooming in from San Diego to give a presentation to students in the Retail Leadership Symposium Course hosted by the Kohl’s Center for Retailing. The high engagement and professionalism from students left Mahoney impressed. When she was a student, learning from industry experts helped Mahoney gather insight on her passions. In a full-circle moment, Mahoney is now the retailing leader who fields students’ questions and imparts advice.
“I tell students that the fun part of your career as a human ecologist is not forcing yourself into a box,” Mahoney said. “Give yourself the space to learn and be frustrated at times. Then, find those nuggets within your work that you love, and lean in that direction. Eventually you will get to a really sweet spot.”