Miyoko’s Creamery Appoints New CEO
Miyoko’s Creamery has a new name leading the charge.
The plant-based dairy brand today announced Stuart Kronauge, former Beyond Meat and Coca Cola exec, will assume the top role, concluding the six-month search to find a successor for the company’s namesake founder, Miyoko Schinner. Kronauge most recently served as the CEO of The Juice+ Company, a fruit and vegetable-focused nutrition company.
“We are thrilled to welcome Stuart to the Miyoko’s team and are confident in her abilities to lead the brand through its next exciting chapter,” said James Joaquin, co-founder at Obvious Ventures and Miyoko’s Creamery board member, in a press release. “Her passion for the industry and operational skillset, coupled with her mission-based approach, allows for great momentum and brand growth in a category that continues to celebrate innovation and new disruptors.”
Kronauge assumed the role from former CFO and interim President Jon Blair, who took over interim CEO responsibilities after Schinner was removed from the post in June 2022. However, Schinner’s departure from the company (and Blair’s subsequent promotion) wasn’t announced until February this year. That announcement started a public dispute between Schinner and her former company, both of which later sued one another alleging gender discrimination and IP theft in their respective lawsuits.
Those disputes were settled in May and Kronauge’s appointment marks a new chapter for the California-based creamery.
Kronauge brings decades of CPG industry expertise to the role having spent nearly 20 years at The Coca Cola Company in positions spanning president of USA Operations to SVP of marketing. Most of her career has been in marketing roles, a muscle she tapped at Beyond Meat during a year-long stint in 2020 as CMO of the fake meat brand.
According to a press release, Kronauge is “a decisive leader” whose extensive management and retail marketing background will allow the company to advance the accessibility of plant-based products. Miyoko’s recently underwent a rebrand earlier this year, and over the next year will need to establish brand identity that is separate from its namesake founder.
“Stewarding the next era of the leading plant milk dairy brand is a serendipitous next step in my career and personal journey, as a plant-based eater myself,” said Kronauge, in a press release. “Organically a Miyoko’s loyalist for many years, I’m enthused to continue the important mission and core values of craft, compassion, conviviality and courage on which the company was founded.”
