Scaling with Speed and Purpose: How Kristi Ross Became CEO of Three Dog Brands
Executive leadership is often viewed through a narrow lens, strategy, vision, and decision-making from a distance. In reality, the role is far more dynamic.
In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Kristi Ross, CEO of Three Dog Brands, offers a candid look into what it means to lead a growing, private equity-backed organization while staying closely connected to day-to-day operations.
As CEO of Three Dog Brands, Kristi stepped into a well-established brand with a strong foundation and a clear opportunity: scale the business for accelerated growth. Her leadership approach combines strategic clarity with operational engagement, ensuring that both long-term vision and immediate execution remain aligned.
Throughout the conversation, Kristi reflects on her career path—from marketing to sales, to executive leadership—and shares how intentional decisions, mentorship, and a willingness to take calculated risks positioned her for the CEO role.
This episode provides valuable insight for professionals navigating career growth, evaluating leadership opportunities, or considering a transition into private equity-backed environments.
Episode Highlights
(01:00) What the CEO role actually looks like, balancing strategy with hands-on operational involvement
(02:00) Why speed is a competitive advantage in private equity-backed businesses
(06:30) Making a pivotal career move from marketing into sales, and why it changed everything
(08:00) Building a unique skill set by combining marketing and sales experience
(10:00) How networking and mentorship unexpectedly led to a CEO opportunity
(14:00) The role of mentorship, and how to actively build meaningful mentor relationships
(18:00) The biggest adjustment stepping into the CEO role: pace and decision-making speed
(20:00) Leading with urgency while managing team sustainability and avoiding burnout
(23:30) Key differences between private equity and large corporate environments
(26:00) What leaders look for when hiring in a private equity-backed company
(27:00) Why taking smart risks—and learning quickly—is critical for growth
(29:00) How to evaluate career opportunities based on strengths, values, and intuitively identifying career opportunities based on strengths and alignment
“You have to be in it enough to understand what’s happening, while still looking ahead to where the business needs to go.”
What You’ll Learn from This Episode
What executive leadership looks like beyond the title
How cross-functional experience strengthens leadership capability
The defining characteristics of private equity-backed organizations
Why speed and decisiveness are critical in high-growth environments
How to balance operational involvement with strategic oversight
The importance of mentorship and building a strong professional network
How to identify and take smart, calculated career risks
Why is self-awareness and understanding your strengths essential for career progression
How to evaluate opportunities based on alignment with values and long-term goals
The role of intuition and experience in effective decision-making
Connect with Kristi
Connect with Kristi Ross on LinkedIn
Stay Candid
Candid with Candidates shares real stories from inside major organizations—stories that don’t make it into the slide decks or LinkedIn highlight reels. Follow along for conversations that inform, encourage, and help you navigate your own path to leadership.
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