Meet The Founders

Hi there! We’re Chelsea & Andrea. We’ve spent our entire careers in the pet industry – we know pets, & we know what it takes to reach the people who love them. We’re also the creators of the Petzbe App, which we built from scratch. Only 0.5% of apps ever succeed – but we beat the odds, growing a thriving community of nearly 1 million pet parents, earning a 4.8-star App Store rating, & building a loyal social media following.

Now, we bring that same drive & creativity to the pet brands we partner with - helping them define their identity, connect with more pet lovers, & build lasting trust that turns into engagement & sales.

We are pet owners ourselves. Between our team, we care for 26 pets including dogs, cats, horses, and chickens. And our pets are often seen modeling for our clients. We can’t wait to share our expertise with you!

Two women standing outdoors among blooming pink cherry blossom trees, one holding a small fluffy dog, the other with a mini horse. The woman on the left has long, wavy blonde hair with purple tips, wearing a pink dress. The woman on the right has long brown hair, wearing a blue patterned dress. The small dog is light tan with fluffy fur, and the mini horse has dark brown fur with a purple halter.

Angus Tegner Nerep

Angus (2008-2025) was our iconic, incredibly handsome CEO - and the inspiration behind Petzbe. A true lover of the finer things in life, he was as peculiar in looks as he was in personality. Deeply loving yet wise to his human’s shortcomings, Angus led with both charm and authority. Known to many as “the tiniest CEO in the world,” he left pawprints far larger than his size.

Small black and brown dog wearing a shearling-lined jacket, sitting and looking up, photographed for pet brand marketing by The Petzbe Agency.

Penelopii Riggs

CEO

Penelopii is the CEO and spokesdog of Petzbe, and a beloved member of co-founder Chelsea’s family. Known for her loyal, goofy, and endlessly expressive personality, she has built a genuine bond with pet parents around the world simply by being herself on camera. On the Petzbe app, Penelopii is a top-rated star with hundreds of thousands of ‘sniffers.’ Across Instagram and TikTok, she has more than 650,000 followers and over 3 billion views, making her one of the most recognizable pets on social media.

Penelopii Riggs, a fluffy husky puppy sitting outdoors, photographed as the spokesdog and pet influencer for The Petzbe Agency.”

Andrea Nerep

Founder & Head of Brand & Business Development

As the founder of Petzbe, Andrea conceptualized and led the development of the Petzbe app, transforming it into a community of devoted and engaged pet parents. She built the brand and marketing strategy from the ground up, shaping Petzbe’s distinct voice and purpose. Before launching Petzbe and the Petzbe Agency, Andrea worked with several early-stage startups, helping develop their product visions, marketing strategies, and business growth plans. She holds an MSc in Marketing from New York University, is originally from Stockholm, Sweden, and has called New York City home for over a decade. Andrea was the devoted parent of Angus, her beloved Brussels Griffon and the original inspiration behind Petzbe. His spirit continues to guide the platform’s mission.

Andrea Nerep, Founder and Head of Brand and Business Development at The Petzbe Agency, in a studio portrait with a pink background.

Chelsea Rose Riggs

Co-Founder & Head of Social Media & Performance Marketing

Chelsea has over 10 years of experience with content creation, social media and performance marketing. She joined Petzbe at an early stage & grew its audience remarkably. Prior to to Petzbe & the Petzbe Agency, she ran her own multi-media production company for several years, successfully orchestrating the entirety of the photography, design, branding, writing, producing, directing, shooting, editing and marketing for a large variety of clients and businesses. She’s the ultimate pet enthusiast with a full house of fur-ends - four dogs, six cats, three majestic horses, and four pint-sized mini horses!

Chelsea Rose Riggs, Co-Founder and Head of Social Media and Performance Marketing at The Petzbe Agency, in a studio portrait with a pink background.

Colette Hagen

Community Operations & Engagement Lead

Colette has been part of Petzbe since its earliest days, helping shape the supportive community that defines the app today. Over the years, she has overseen community management, safety moderation, and in-app engagement - developing thoughtful strategies to keep Petzbe a positive, welcoming space for pet lovers around the world. She has led community insight polls and interactive initiatives that gather valuable feedback and strengthen the bond between Petzbe and its users. In addition to her work with the Petzbe community, she supports Petzbe Agency clients - helping brands connect authentically with their audiences through engagement, content coordination, and community insights.

Colette Hagen, Community Operations and Engagement Lead at The Petzbe Agency, in a professional studio portrait against a light background.

Andreina Rodriguez

Social Media & Community Manager

Andreina brings over a decade of experience in communication, customer engagement, and digital marketing to the Petzbe team. At Petzbe Agency, she manages social media posting and community interaction for both the Petzbe app and our client brands - ensuring every message reflects each brand’s unique personality and voice. With a background in training, customer service, and content coordination, she helps keep campaigns organized, engaging, and on track. Andreina is passionate about building online communities that feel warm, authentic, and connected — one post and conversation at a time. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Universidad del Caribe in the Dominican Republic.

Andreina Rodriguez, Social Media and Community Manager at The Petzbe Agency, in a professional portrait with a softly blurred office background.

Melanie Moeller

Content Strategist & Copywriter

Melanie is a writer and content strategist with a background in health communication and B2B storytelling. At Petzbe Agency, she blends her science-based insight with a love for animals to create smart, heartfelt content for veterinary and pet brands. Her work bridges marketing strategy and storytelling - helping brands educate, engage, and connect authentically with pet parents and professionals alike. Before joining Petzbe, Melanie conducted animal research at Cornell University and volunteered as a veterinary assistant with the Ithaca SPCA through Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program, caring for hundreds of cats, dogs, and rabbits. She holds a Master’s in Public Health from UC Berkeley and lives with Buford, her spirited coonhound mix.

Melanie Moeller, Content Strategist and Copywriter at The Petzbe Agency, smiling outdoors in a professional portrait with greenery in the background.