2025 Rising Stars: Emily McKarnin of Simmons Pet Food
Every year, Store Brands sets out to recognize the next generation of private label leaders, individuals who are not only excelling in their roles but also driving meaningful progress across the industry. The 2025 Rising Stars embody the innovation, energy, and strategic thinking that are essential to keeping store brands competitive, relevant, and compelling to today’s consumers.
This year’s honorees share a deep commitment to delivering value, quality, and fresh ideas to their companies and retail partners. Whether launching new product lines, strengthening brand identities, or collaborating across teams to improve execution, each of these professionals brings passion and purpose to their work.
The impact of these Rising Stars is already being felt across the private label landscape. Many have played pivotal roles in building more shopper-centric brands, streamlining supply chains, or identifying on-trend innovations that resonate at shelf. In an era where private brands are gaining ground, their efforts are helping to redefine what store brands can be.
As the private label industry continues to evolve, future success will depend on a new generation of leaders. Their drive, insights, and collaborative spirit are setting a new standard, one that ensures the future of store brands is bright, bold, and built to last.
Emily McKarnin
Senior Food Technologist
Simmons Pet Food
A driving force behind several high-impact private label launches, Emily McKarnin has quickly emerged as a standout in the private brand industry. As senior food technologist at Simmons Pet Food, McKarnin led the development and launch of two new product lines for major retail partners, delivering each project on time and with precision.
Most notably, she spearheaded the formulation of 18 distinct wet pet food products for a new private label brand. From concept to shelf, McKarnin managed every phase of development, skillfully navigating ingredient and nutritional constraints, regulatory requirements, and tight customer deadlines. Her deep technical knowledge, strong organizational skills, and ability to lead cross-functional teams proved critical to the successful launch.
McKarnin’s impact extends beyond product development. She is known for her reliability, attention to detail, and clear communication. Her collaborative mindset has helped her build trust across internal departments and with external partners. Her ability to manage multiple priorities while staying focused on execution has made her a go-to leader on complex projects.
With a customer-first approach and a sharp eye for innovation, McKarnin continues to set the standard for operational excellence at Simmons. Her rising influence, steady leadership, and commitment to quality make her a key contributor to the company’s success.
