E97: Ken Grouf - Building Community
Ken Grouf entrepreneurial spirit has guided his career in both the private and public sectors. His journey has led him to be an investor, a CEO, an executive, and a board chair on the successful founding teams of over six companies. He's the definition of an active citizen and inspires others to understand that there's a lot of good each one can do in our communities. To him, the journey is all about impact and passion.
Ken was the Chairman and co-CEO of Kriser’s Natural Pet. Raising capital from private equity firms, Ken led the operations to grow Kriser's Natural Pet into one of the largest natural pet retailers in the country with stores in 12 markets nationwide. Recently he sold the company to TPG and the chain currently has over 170 stores nationwide.
After 5 years as Director of brand management at Yahoo!, he moved back to NYC shortly after 9-11 to co-found City Year New York. He quickly built a team of 250 staff and full-time Americorps members that served New York City in 4 boroughs. While guiding the policy, strategic, and product development for the organization, he led a team that raised over $25M from corporations, foundations, and individuals and over $10M in city and federal funding .
Before founding CYNY, Ken spent over five years at Yahoo! as the Director of Brand Management. While building one of the world's most popular Internet brands, he oversaw a team that managed the marketing and communications strategy for the communities and media divisions.
Prior to Yahoo!, Ken helped build Do Something as the Director of National Programs and Marketing. While managing media partnerships with MTV, AOL, Nickelodeon, he directed the communications messaging via print, television, and radio PSAs.
No stranger to start-ups, Ken is an advisor and active investor with current investments in teaRIOT, Mack Weldon, Tender Greens, Blaze Pizza, Breez Mints, Namaste Nail Sanctuary, and Park Place Payments. He also served as the founding chair of Kaboom!, a national non-profit that builds playgrounds across the country; the Painted Turtle, a camp for kids with life threatening illnesses; Ramapo for Children, a camp for special needs children; and the Northwest Settlement House.
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