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

Julie Smolyansky

Agisilaos Deligiannis

Dave McClain

Elsa Monterroso-Burgos

Eric Hanson

Paul Koehrer

Marina Pavlovsky

Shelby Clites

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

Sales and Marketing

Leadership Team

Finance and Accounting

About

Team members

Other teams at Lifeway Foods

Sales and Marketing

Leadership Team