The Lifeway Foods story begins in 1986 with kefir, a milk-based cultured drink that is popular in Eastern Europe and is said to be more nutritional than yogurt.  That year, Russian immigrant Michael Smolyansky began manufacturing kefir in his basement to bring the taste of his native country to the U.S.  After Michael Smolyansky passed away in 2002, his daughter Julie Smolyansky assumed the role of President, while his son Edward Smolyansky assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.  Today, Lifeway is the country’s leading manufacturer of kefir, with multiple flavors and varieties that include lowfat, whole milk and organic versions as well as a children’s line, and a provider of other probiotic natural and organic dairy products for health-conscious consumers.

Food & Beverage

Health & Wellness

Manufacturing

Lifeway Foods

Lifeway Foods' headquarters in Morton Grove, IL, United States

Julie Smolyansky

Elsa Monterroso-Burgos

Shelly Cohen

Paul Koehrer

Marina Pavlovsky

Eric Hanson

Dave McClain

The Sales and Marketing team at Lifeway Foods is responsible for driving brand awareness and increasing market share for their leading kefir products. This team develops strategic marketing campaigns, manages social media outreach, and cultivates relationships with retailers and distributors to expand their product's presence in health-conscious markets. They focus on innovative promotions and community engagement to position Lifeway as the go-to choice for probiotic dairy products.

Sales and Marketing

The Leadership Team at Lifeway Foods is responsible for setting the strategic direction and driving the overall vision of the company. Comprising key executives including the CEO, CFO, and VPs of Sales, Marketing, and Human Resources, this team collaborates to enhance operational efficiency, foster innovation in product development, and ensure sustainable growth while maintaining Lifeway's commitment to quality and health-conscious options for consumers.

Leadership Team

The Finance and Accounting team at Lifeway Foods is responsible for managing the company’s financial health and ensuring compliance with accounting standards. This team oversees budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, while also handling day-to-day accounting functions. By providing strategic insights and maintaining accurate financial records, they support decision-making that drives the company's growth in the probiotic dairy market.

Finance and Accounting

The Information Technology team at Lifeway Foods is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the company's technology infrastructure to support its operational needs. This includes overseeing IT systems and networks, ensuring data security and integrity, and facilitating the implementation of software solutions that streamline production and quality assurance processes. By leveraging technology, the team plays a vital role in optimizing efficiency and supporting the company's commitment to delivering high-quality probiotic products.

Lifeway Foods

Org chart

Teams

Sales and Marketing

Leadership Team

Finance and Accounting

Information Technology

Offices

Lifeway Foods

Org chart

Teams

Sales and Marketing

Leadership Team

Finance and Accounting

Information Technology

Offices

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