Skiptown Announces New Leadership

Skiptown, a first-of-its-kind, tech-enabled pet care facility offering dog daycare, boarding, full-service grooming and a bar & park featuring indoor and outdoor off-leash play, announces its latest leadership changes, expanded agency partnerships and a renewed focus on national growth.

The company recently announced new leadership for the corporate team. Seasoned executive Mike Rotondo joined the organization as Chief Executive Officer, and  he named Molly Fisher as Chief Financial Officer and Kristen Risby as Head of Marketing & Communications. Skiptown is an emerging brand that caters to pups and their people. The brand currently has locations in Atlanta, GA, Charlotte, NC and Denver, CO.

Investor-Backed Growth Strategy

Skiptown’s expansion is being fueled by a strong investor network and growing demand for next-generation pet services. The company is backed by Meaningful Partners and Focus Impact Partners, who share its vision of redefining the pet care industry through innovation and community. Recent funding has been focused on accelerating franchise development, expanding real estate acquisition and scaling operational infrastructure to support future growth.

“Investor confidence in Skiptown is rooted in our differentiated model, deep consumer engagement and the long-term growth potential of the pet care space,” said Mike Rotondo, CEO of Skiptown. “We are positioned to build a category-defining brand.”

New Agency Partners Driving Expansion

As part of its next phase of growth, Skiptown has also partnered with a team of top agencies to support brand building and franchise growth:

• Recon Analytics provides consumer insights and conducts market opportunity analysis.
• Root + Rise specializes in franchise development, focusing on awarding franchise agreements and system scaling.
• Strata Project Management Group guides Skiptown’s growth and expansion through strategic development oversight and project execution.
• Surface leads Skiptown’s integrated brand campaigns and optimizes its website as a creative and digital agency.
• KW Commercial excels in franchise site selection and brand portfolio management and is widely recognized as an industry leader.
• Ink Link Marketing drives brand awareness, media engagement and local store marketing as Skiptown’s PR agency.

Together, this team is laying the foundation to position Skiptown as the go-to brand modern pet parents have been waiting for.

“I’m honored to lead the Skiptown team as we expand our presence and reach more pup-loving communities,” continued Rotondo. “With Molly, Kristen and the rest of the amazing Support Center Team as well as our new agency partners, we’re building a brand that’s growing and connecting deeply with pet parents. Skiptown offers more than great pet care; we create memorable moments and a strong sense of community around our shared love of dogs.”

Mike Rotondo

Mike Rotondo is Skiptown’s Chief Executive Officer. He is a results-driven leader known for boosting business performance and profitability through strategic vision and team empowerment.

He holds extensive franchise and brand-building experience and is the former CEO of Altitude Trampoline Parks, a premier indoor entertainment and adventure venue. Under his guidance, Altitude launched profitable programs like the “Endless Jumps” membership, which has driven sustained, double-digit sales growth at numerous locations.

He previously served as CEO of Edible Arrangements, where he led all franchise and company operations for the 1,100+ unit system. Prior to Edible Arrangements, Rotondo was the CEO of Tropical Smoothie Café, the nearly 1,000-unit smoothie and sandwich chain based in Atlanta, GA. During Rotondo’s tenure, the brand experienced significant growth as unit-level revenues doubled and franchise owners added more than 1,300 new units.

Product innovation, franchisee collaboration and an ‘anything is possible approach’ are the cornerstones of his leadership style. Rotondo has also held various leadership roles at Wendy’s, Arby’s and Honey Baked Ham throughout his career.

Rotondo has been recognized as a Hall of Fame Georgia Titan 100.

Molly Fisher

Molly Fisher is Skiptown’s Chief Financial Officer. She leads the company’s financial strategy, operations and long-term planning to support growth and ensure fiscal strength.

Fisher brings financial expertise across both corporate finance and high-growth consumer brands. Prior to joining Skiptown in 2023, she spent 15 years in New York City, where she launched her finance career on Wall Street at Goldman Sachs. She then dedicated four years to HelloFresh, where she started as an Associate Director, Special Operations and moved up the ranks every year to eventually become Senior Director, Finance.

Fisher went on to serve as Vice President, Business Operations for Wonder, a food hall concept that connects customers with dozens of award-winning restaurants all in one delivery. Her food and beverage experience also includes Dig Inn, a fast-casual restaurant concept, where she served as Vice President, Finance & Operations.

Fisher received her BS and MS from Syracuse University and her MBA from Wharton. She is a Founding Member of the Young Whitman Advisory Council at Syracuse University.

Kristen Risby

Kristen Risby is Skiptown’s Head of Marketing & Communications. She is a seasoned marketing executive with more than 20 years of experience in the franchise and multi-unit space. Risby is known for her collaborative leadership style, brand storytelling and omnichannel marketing execution.

Risby started her career in the pet space in 2019 when she served as Vice President of Marketing for Wag N’ Wash Natural Pet Food & Grooming. In 2020, she was promoted to President and spearheaded the sale of the business to Pet Supplies Plus in 2021. Her background spans marketing leadership roles at nationally recognized brands including RE/MAX, WellBiz Brands, Central Bark, PostNet, The Little Gym and more, where she helped transform brand strategies, build consumer loyalty and scale marketing operations.

Risby holds a Bachelors of Business and Marketing from Western Michigan University.

To learn more about Skiptown, click here.