Liz, Senior Benefits Consultant, celebrates 20 years of #LifeAtPetSmart!

#LifeAtPetSmart wouldn't be quite the same without Liz—PetSmart's Senior Benefits Consultant! She recently celebrated her 20th anniversary and shared her thoughts with us.

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Tell us a bit about your PetSmart journey—where did you start, where are you now, and how did you get there?

Liz: My journey with PetSmart began in the corporate records room, where everything was on paper! I created new hire file folders, sorted, and filed associate paperwork. Along the way I spent time in multiple areas of HR including managing unemployment, field recruiting, new hire onboarding and HR operations. Some of the roles I transitioned into after working on a project or stretch assignment but others, like HRIS and HR Business Partner, were brand new to me and required me to grow in new ways.

Throughout all of the roles I’ve been a part of, I’ve had the opportunity to support the entire lifecycle of an associate. And now, 20 years later, I’m a Sr Benefits Consultant supporting the Benefits and Offerings team. I believe that my time with PetSmart has been successful due to a variety of factors, but mostly because of hard work and the amazing people I’ve worked with. People might say I have a hard time saying “no” and they would be right, but that’s all part of how I got to where I am today. Trying new things and always being willing to help. I am thankful that the people I’ve met through PetSmart are in my life. Many of those people are still working here today and I’m proud to call them my friends, mentors and co-workers. They’ve had faith in me, challenged me in new ways and constantly had my back and I wouldn’t be where I am without all of their support.

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What do you enjoy about your #LifeAtPetSmart?

Liz: I love the people and the culture most! Well and the pets…who doesn’t love the pets at work? As I reflect back, one thing that stands out is the continued growth that PetSmart makes when it comes to community support. When I started we supported United Way in Arizona and now we have so many community programs throughout the company and the country – Charities, Diversity & Inclusion, Be The Difference, etc.

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Any favorite stories or moments from over the years at PetSmart that you’d like to share?

Liz: Back when PHO was just one building, and HR sat on the first floor, we used to have major Halloween decorating contests. We went all out so that when the kids came through it was a great experience. One year the floor was turned into a pirate ship and another year we had a whole group dress up from the 1950’s.