SONOMA, CALIF. — Stuart Kronauge has joined Miyoko’s Creamery as chief executive officer. She succeeds chief financial officer and interim president Jon Blair, who led the dairy alternative company for several months following founder Miyoko Schinner’s contentious departure.
Ms. Kronauge joins Miyoko’s from The Juice Plus+ Co., which she led for two years. Previously, she was chief marketing officer at Beyond Meat, and earlier in her career she held various senior leadership roles spanning two decades at the Coca-Cola Co.
“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. “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.”
Founded in 2014, Miyoko’s Creamery is a producer of dairy-free takes on gourmet cheese and butter sold in more than 20,000 retail stores nationwide, including Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, Target, Kroger and Walmart.
This past February, the company filed a lawsuit against Ms. Schinner, alleging she attempted to steal trade secrets after she was ousted from her namesake business. In March, she struck back with a counterclaim accusing the company of gender discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination, as well as misusing her name and likeness.
The legal disputes were resolved in May, and Ms. Schinner indicated in a LinkedIn post, “I am moving on. So important to close the door behind you so that new ones can open.”
Of her appointment, which followed an executive search process, Ms. Kronauge said, “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. 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.”Enjoying this content? Learn about more disruptive startups on the Food Entrepreneur page.
