As a leader, David Lasus relies on inquisitiveness and knowing what you don’t know and searching for the “why” behind everything. “Call it intuition or call it a Spidey sense, but I have a sixth sense that tells me whether or not something is going to work,” said Lasus. “While I base decision-making in objective data, it helps to know that my gut instinct will often point us in the right direction.”
Inquisitiveness, adaptability and ambition have led Lasus to success as the chief executive officer of Heart + Paw.
Heart + Paw owns and operates multi-service pet care centers focused primarily on veterinary care, but also extending services to dog daycare, grooming, and boarding for the modern pet and pet parent. The firm’s mission is to create a pet-focused, low-stress journey for pets, their parents and its veterinary care teams.
In the past year, Lasus led the organization through one of its most significant transitions to date: Heart + Paw’s acquisition by a new private equity firm. Over many months, Lasus actively sought out the right partner, and once that partner was secured, navigated the transition to allow for minimal business changes.
Lasus has also prioritized continuous improvement and adaptability to evolving market conditions. To foster personal leadership development, Lasus undertook an emotional intelligence program, focusing on developing further interpersonal skills to enhance his ability to lead effectively.
“David’s commitment to self-growth ensures that he remains agile and responsive in his leadership roles,” said his staff. “David recognizes the importance of staying attuned to market dynamics and by maintaining a close pulse on market conditions through networking and benchmarking performance, he has gained valuable insights into emerging trends in the competitive and ever-changing world of veterinary medicine.”
Since Lasus was named a Titan 100 in 2023, he has been committed to saying “yes” more. “Titan reignited his love of stewardship, and he has increased volunteer time and even spent time with his family making meals for those experiencing homelessness,” said his staff. Lasus is an active participant in the mentorship program at his alma mater, the University of Delaware, and their entrepreneurship institute.
Lasus also participated in the Founders’ Institute accelerator program as a keynote speaker at their Philadelphia branch’s graduation. “By sharing his hard-earned lessons, David is able to impart on-the-job wisdom to young people getting ready to get their start in business,” said his colleagues.
