What happens when a one-time DNA test becomes the gateway to an entire pet parent journey? This case study unpacks a bold pivot to D2C—why it was made, what it takes to win, and how content, curation, and community can turn data into daily engagement, recurring revenue, and lasting brand loyalty.
Amish Desai
Amish Desai is a seasoned executive known for leadership in consumer retail across financial, retail, and strategic development areas. As CEO and Board Member of Embark Veterinary, Inc., a global leader in dog health and genetics, he drives customer-centric innovation and multi-channel growth strategies.
Appointed CEO in December 2023 after serving as CFO since July 2022, Amish brings over 20 years of consumer-focused leadership across multi-scale global brands. His extensive retail experience includes transformational roles at Victoria's Secret, Henri Bendel, and J. Jill, where he played a key role in the company's transition from private equity to a successful public offering. Previously, as Senior Vice President at Rue Gilt Groupe, he led comprehensive finance functions including M&A and strategic planning.
Amish's expertise spans strategic planning, financial planning and analysis, retail operations, customer insights, and business acquisition integration across multinational public and private companies. His focus at Embark centers on accelerating innovation, expanding category awareness, and growing multi-channel distribution while supporting pet parents through core DNA offerings and new product development.
He began his career at Deloitte and holds an MBA from Lehigh University. Amish is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Management Accountant, serves as an advisory board member to Stylecard, Vice Chairman and board member of the South Shore YMCA, and is a founding member of The F Suite, connecting executives across leading venture capital and high-growth technology companies.
