02/28/2025
FROM: AKC
American Kennel Club
Gina M. DiNardo Appointed President and CEO of the American Kennel Club
Sheila Goffe Appointed Executive Secretary
The American Kennel Club (AKC) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Gina M. DiNardo as AKC President and CEO, effective April 1, 2025. DiNardo will step into this leadership role following Dennis Sprung, ensuring a seamless transition as the organization continues its mission to advocate for purebred dogs and responsible dog ownership.
“We are deeply grateful for Dennis Sprung’s decades of contributions to the AKC and wish him success,” said Dr. Thomas Davies, Chairman of the AKC Board of Directors. “We are also confident that Gina will provide steady leadership and uphold the values that have made the AKC the trusted authority on breeds and all things dog.”
DiNardo brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the AKC, with over 50 years of experience in the sport of purebred dogs as both a breeder and owner-handler.
Hired in 1995 by Sprung, DiNardo joined the AKC’s Event Plans department and has since held various roles across the Publications, Communications, Planning and Development, and Executive Secretary departments. In 2008, she was appointed Vice President and Assistant Executive Secretary. Since 2017, the AKC Board of Directors has annually elected her as Executive Secretary, an Officer of the Company.
She currently oversees several key departments, including AKC Meet the Breeds, Communications, Government Relations, Publications, Education, Marketing, and Media and Sponsorship. She also serves on the AKC National Championship Show Committee and is a spokesperson and on-air talent for AKC.
Gina holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Philosophy from Skidmore College, completed master’s level coursework in Genetics, and graduated from Wharton’s Advanced Management Program. She is a member of the Doberman Pinscher Club of America, the Pharaoh Hound Club of America, the Greenwich Kennel Club, and the Morris & Essex Kennel Club. Gina and her husband, Peter Gwynne, own a Rhodesian Ridgeback, a Pharaoh Hound, a Glen of Imaal Terrier, an English Toy Spaniel, and a Toy Manchester Terrier.