LifeWay Executive and Leadership Team

Ryan Blackwell, the President & Chief Executive Officer at LifeWay, directs the overarching strategic vision for the organization. Blackwell oversees the alignment of publishing and distribution divisions with the broader goals of the Southern Baptist Convention. By managing relationships with the Board and senior leadership, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures consistent growth across all church business service sectors. This leadership role involves navigating complex market shifts in religious media while maintaining the core mission of the institution. Ryan Blackwell drives operational excellence by fostering innovation in digital content delivery and physical distribution channels. Through rigorous oversight of organizational performance, the President & Chief Executive Officer secures long-term sustainability. Blackwell maintains a focus on expanding the reach of ministry resources, ensuring that the organization remains a primary provider for churches nationwide while upholding the foundational values established in 1891.

Cossy Pachares, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at LifeWay, manages the fiscal health and long-term financial planning of the organization. Pachares oversees budgeting, financial reporting, and capital allocation to support the publishing and distribution divisions. By directing internal audits and risk management processes, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures compliance and transparency in all business dealings. This leadership role involves analyzing market trends to inform strategic investment decisions that bolster the organization's competitive position. Cossy Pachares drives financial stability by optimizing cost structures and identifying revenue growth opportunities within the church services market. Through rigorous monitoring of economic indicators, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer provides the necessary data for executive decision-making. Pachares maintains a focus on fiscal discipline, ensuring that all financial resources are effectively utilized to advance the mission and sustain the organization's operations for future generations.

Joe Walker, the Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer at LifeWay, directs the daily operational activities of the publishing and distribution divisions. Walker oversees logistics, supply chain management, and facility operations to ensure the timely delivery of ministry resources. By managing cross-functional teams, the Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer streamlines production processes and enhances service delivery for church clients. This leadership role involves coordinating with other C-suite leaders to align operational capacity with strategic growth objectives. Joe Walker drives efficiency by implementing lean methodologies across all distribution centers and administrative departments. Through the continuous improvement of operational workflows, the Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer supports the organization's commitment to excellence in service. Walker maintains a focus on operational scalability, ensuring that the infrastructure remains robust enough to handle the evolving demands of the Southern Baptist Convention and the broader religious publishing market.

Timothy Hill, the Chief Information Officer at LifeWay, architects the digital infrastructure necessary for modern publishing and distribution. Hill manages the enterprise technology stack, ensuring secure and scalable platforms for church business services. By overseeing cybersecurity protocols and data management systems, the Chief Information Officer protects sensitive organizational assets. This leadership role involves integrating advanced software solutions to streamline the supply chain and improve customer engagement across North American markets. Timothy Hill drives digital transformation by implementing cloud-based tools that support the diverse needs of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through constant evaluation of emerging technologies, the Chief Information Officer optimizes internal workflows and enhances the user experience for digital resource consumers. Hill maintains a focus on technological reliability, ensuring that all systems support the mission-critical operations of the organization while maintaining high standards of data integrity and operational efficiency.

Cynthia Phillips, the Senior VP & Chief Marketing Officer at LifeWay, executes comprehensive brand strategies to expand the reach of publishing and distribution services. Phillips directs all marketing campaigns, ensuring consistent messaging across diverse church demographics. By overseeing market research and consumer insights, the Senior VP & Chief Marketing Officer identifies new opportunities for growth within the religious media sector. This leadership role involves coordinating with product development teams to align promotional efforts with the specific needs of church leaders. Cynthia Phillips drives brand awareness through targeted digital outreach and strategic partnerships across the United States. Through the optimization of multi-channel marketing funnels, the Senior VP & Chief Marketing Officer increases engagement and revenue for core product lines. Phillips maintains a focus on communicating the value of church business services, ensuring that the organization remains the preferred partner for congregations seeking high-quality educational and ministry resources.

Scott Pryjmak, the Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer at LifeWay, architects the human capital strategy to support the organization's mission. Pryjmak oversees talent acquisition, employee development, and organizational culture initiatives. By directing performance management systems and compensation structures, the Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer ensures the alignment of staff capabilities with business goals. This leadership role involves fostering an inclusive work environment that attracts and retains top talent in the publishing and distribution sectors. Scott Pryjmak drives organizational health by implementing training programs that enhance leadership skills and professional growth. Through the strategic management of human resources, the Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer supports the overall productivity and morale of the workforce. Pryjmak maintains a focus on building a high-performing team, ensuring that all employees are equipped to contribute effectively to the organization's long-term success and service to the church.