LifeWay Executive and Leadership Team

Ryan Blackwell, the President & Chief Executive Officer at LifeWay, directs the overarching strategic vision for the publishing and distribution division. Blackwell architects long-term growth initiatives while overseeing the alignment of church business services with the evolving needs of the Southern Baptist Convention. By managing high-level partnerships and board relations, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures the organization maintains a strong market position across North America. Ryan Blackwell drives operational excellence by fostering a culture of innovation within the publishing sector. This leadership role involves constant evaluation of market trends to optimize resource delivery. Through rigorous oversight of corporate objectives, the President & Chief Executive Officer secures the financial and mission-driven future of the enterprise. Blackwell maintains a focus on expanding the reach of ministry tools, ensuring that every strategic decision supports the core mission of providing reliable, high-quality content to diverse faith-based audiences globally.

Cossy Pachares, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at LifeWay, directs the financial planning, budgeting, and fiscal reporting for the publishing and distribution division. Pachares architects robust financial models that support the long-term sustainability of church business services. Overseeing the finance department, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures strict compliance with regulatory standards and internal controls. Cossy Pachares drives capital allocation strategies that prioritize growth and operational efficiency. This leadership role involves providing the board with accurate financial insights to guide strategic decision-making. By monitoring revenue streams and cost structures, Pachares maintains the financial health of the organization. The Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer focuses on risk management and investment analysis to protect corporate assets. Through diligent oversight of all fiscal activities, Pachares ensures that the company remains well-positioned to invest in new ministry resources and expand its reach across diverse markets.

Joe Walker, the Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer at LifeWay, manages the daily logistics and supply chain operations for the publishing and distribution division. Walker architects efficient workflows that streamline the production and delivery of church business services. Overseeing the operational departments, the Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer ensures that internal processes align with the broader corporate mission. Joe Walker drives productivity by implementing lean management practices across all distribution centers. This leadership role involves coordinating with the executive team to resolve bottlenecks and improve service delivery times. By optimizing inventory management and logistics, Walker supports the company's ability to meet high demand during peak seasons. The Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer maintains a focus on operational scalability, ensuring that the organization can adapt to changing market conditions. Through rigorous oversight of day-to-day activities, Walker guarantees that the company maintains high standards of quality and reliability in every product shipped.

Timothy Hill, the Chief Information Officer at LifeWay, manages the digital infrastructure supporting the publishing and distribution of ministry resources. Hill architects scalable cloud solutions and data security protocols to protect the integrity of church business services. Overseeing the technology department, the Chief Information Officer ensures seamless integration between digital platforms and physical distribution networks. Timothy Hill drives the modernization of internal systems to improve operational efficiency across the organization. This leadership role involves collaborating with other C-suite members to implement data-driven strategies that enhance user experiences for customers. By optimizing the technological landscape, Hill supports the rapid delivery of content to regional markets. The Chief Information Officer maintains a focus on cybersecurity and system reliability, ensuring that all digital assets remain accessible and secure. Through constant innovation in software development and network management, Hill enables the company to maintain a competitive edge in the digital publishing industry.

Cynthia Phillips, the Senior VP & Chief Marketing Officer at LifeWay, directs all brand strategy and customer engagement initiatives for the publishing division. Phillips architects comprehensive marketing campaigns that highlight the value of church business services to a broad audience. Overseeing the marketing department, the Senior VP & Chief Marketing Officer ensures consistent messaging across all digital and physical channels. Cynthia Phillips drives market penetration by analyzing consumer behavior and tailoring outreach efforts to specific regional demographics. This leadership role involves coordinating with sales teams to maximize the impact of new product launches. By leveraging data analytics, Phillips optimizes advertising spend and improves brand visibility. The Senior VP & Chief Marketing Officer maintains a focus on building long-term relationships with church leaders and ministry partners. Through strategic communication and creative storytelling, Phillips strengthens the market presence of the organization, ensuring that essential resources reach the communities that need them most.

Scott Pryjmak, the Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer at LifeWay, directs all human capital strategies, including talent acquisition, employee development, and organizational culture. Pryjmak architects programs that foster a high-performance environment within the publishing and distribution division. Overseeing the human resources department, the Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer ensures that the workforce remains aligned with the mission of providing church business services. Scott Pryjmak drives initiatives to improve employee engagement and retention across all regional operations. This leadership role involves collaborating with other executives to build a diverse and inclusive workplace. By implementing professional development frameworks, Pryjmak supports the growth of internal talent. The Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer maintains a focus on leadership development and succession planning to ensure organizational stability. Through strategic management of the company's most valuable asset, Pryjmak enables the organization to attract and retain the talent necessary to deliver exceptional ministry resources.