The former COO, will take over as her father and company founder Steve Yamada assumes the role of chairman.
Maypro Group, a global ingredient supplier to the nutraceuticals industry, has named May Yamada-Lifton as its new chief executive officer. Steve Yamada, the company’s founder, will assume the role of chairman, where he will oversee special projects and support the development of the company’s Asia business.
“We are very happy that May will bring her extensive corporate and innovation experience to take Maypro to the next phase of its growth,” said Steve Yamada. “Together with May, we will continue to use our entrepreneurial spirit to bring health and happiness to humankind.”
Yamada-Lifton joined Maypro in 2021 as chief operating officer, following a 20-year career in the pharmaceuticals industry. In her first 13 years at Pfizer, she led numerous initiatives in internal strategy, commercial development, and marketing across Japan, China, Europe, and other regions.
Prior to joining the pharmaceuticals industry, Yamada-Lifton worked in investment banking on Wall Street and in venture capital, focusing on the wellness industry. She holds an MBA with honors from Columbia Business School, and two bachelor’s degrees from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Tokyo.
She serves as co-chair of Women in Nutraceuticals’ mentorship committee, which is the nonprofit’s initiative to increase the number of women in leadership roles within the industry.
“I am very proud of my father’s incredible accomplishments as an Asian immigrant who built a large business from zero,” said Yamada-Lifton. “I hope to continue his legacy as an Asian-American female CEO.”
