Executive Management Team
D. Gary Young (1949–2018)
Founder of Young Living Essential Oils and father of the modern-day essential oils movement
Part inventor and part historian, D. Gary Young understood the untapped potential of nature. His research took him to the farthest corners of the earth, where he pursued the healing wisdom and extracted the natural properties of flowers, herbs, trees, and plants—bottling them into the world’s largest line of essential oils, blends, and oil-infused products.
Raised in a one-bedroom cabin in the mountains of Idaho, Gary understood the value in simplicity, and he developed his essential oil solutions with complete and total purity as the goal. After learning about varying distillation techniques, he worked to develop the Seed to Seal® quality commitment—a philosophy ensuring all oils maintain their natural integrity and potency, connecting people to plants like never before. Gary built Young Living out of his deep conviction that essential oils have power and that through proper advocacy, we can act as the bridge that connects people back to nature.
Part inventor and part historian, D. Gary Young understood the untapped potential of nature. His research took him to the farthest corners of the earth, where he pursued the healing wisdom and extracted the natural properties of flowers, herbs, trees, and plants—bottling them into the world’s largest line of essential oils, blends, and oil-infused products.
Raised in a one-bedroom cabin in the mountains of Idaho, Gary understood the value in simplicity, and he developed his essential oil solutions with complete and total purity as the goal. After learning about varying distillation techniques, he worked to develop the Seed to Seal® quality commitment—a philosophy ensuring all oils maintain their natural integrity and potency, connecting people to plants like never before. Gary built Young Living out of his deep conviction that essential oils have power and that through proper advocacy, we can act as the bridge that connects people back to nature.
Mary Young
Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer
Mary Young plays an active role in Young Living’s day-to-day business, providing direction to the Executive team and employees. She also plays a vital role in mentoring and empowering members as they share the mission and benefits of Young Living with the world.
Mary was introduced to the direct-selling industry in 1985, and within two years she had cultivated and built a successful multimillion-dollar organization. Since the inception of Young Living, Mary has combined her expansive knowledge and experience in the direct-selling industry and hands-on approach to help Young Living become—and remain—the world leader in essential oils.
Mary is also instrumental in Young Living’s philanthropic endeavors, and she leads global outreach efforts through the D. Gary Young Foundation. She embodies Young Living’s commitment to supporting individuals and communities as they strive to live healthy lifestyles.
Mary Young plays an active role in Young Living’s day-to-day business, providing direction to the Executive team and employees. She also plays a vital role in mentoring and empowering members as they share the mission and benefits of Young Living with the world.
Mary was introduced to the direct-selling industry in 1985, and within two years she had cultivated and built a successful multimillion-dollar organization. Since the inception of Young Living, Mary has combined her expansive knowledge and experience in the direct-selling industry and hands-on approach to help Young Living become—and remain—the world leader in essential oils.
Mary is also instrumental in Young Living’s philanthropic endeavors, and she leads global outreach efforts through the D. Gary Young Foundation. She embodies Young Living’s commitment to supporting individuals and communities as they strive to live healthy lifestyles.
Ben Riley
President
Ben Riley has more than 20 years of experience in the direct selling industry and a long history with Young Living. He began his career with Young Living in 1998 and put himself through college working the graveyard shift in the shipping department at Young Living's warehouse and headquarters.
After graduating with a business degree from Utah State University, and earning an MBA from Duke University, Riley embarked on a 15-year journey of direct sales management in markets across the globe. Ben has served as VP of leadership at Visi, VP of sales at Avon in Australia and New Zealand, managing director for 4Life ANZ, and general manager for Melaleuca ANZ.
Ben also worked as an expatriate in Taiwan and South Korea and speaks fluent Korean and some Mandarin. In total, he has spent more than 10 years building businesses internationally.
He returned to Young Living in 2016 as the regional president of North America. In 2017, he was named executive vice president of global sales, and in 2018 he became Young Living's chief sales officer. Most recently, Riley was a management consultant for Strategic Leadership Partners, and prior to that he served as chief sales officer at Younique where he helped the company grow and expand its direct selling sales force.
Ben is married with five children and enjoys hiking and camping with his family. His personal interests include golf, road and mountain cycling, reading, and traveling. Ben’s favorite Young Living products rotate regularly, but his current go-to is Young Living’s Believe essential-oil blend.
Ben Riley has more than 20 years of experience in the direct selling industry and a long history with Young Living. He began his career with Young Living in 1998 and put himself through college working the graveyard shift in the shipping department at Young Living's warehouse and headquarters.
After graduating with a business degree from Utah State University, and earning an MBA from Duke University, Riley embarked on a 15-year journey of direct sales management in markets across the globe. Ben has served as VP of leadership at Visi, VP of sales at Avon in Australia and New Zealand, managing director for 4Life ANZ, and general manager for Melaleuca ANZ.
Ben also worked as an expatriate in Taiwan and South Korea and speaks fluent Korean and some Mandarin. In total, he has spent more than 10 years building businesses internationally.
He returned to Young Living in 2016 as the regional president of North America. In 2017, he was named executive vice president of global sales, and in 2018 he became Young Living's chief sales officer. Most recently, Riley was a management consultant for Strategic Leadership Partners, and prior to that he served as chief sales officer at Younique where he helped the company grow and expand its direct selling sales force.
Ben is married with five children and enjoys hiking and camping with his family. His personal interests include golf, road and mountain cycling, reading, and traveling. Ben’s favorite Young Living products rotate regularly, but his current go-to is Young Living’s Believe essential-oil blend.
Prasad Gankanda
Chief Sales and Operations Officer
Prasad Gankanda was born in Sri Lanka. He learned English while attending Trinity College, a Sri Lankan British boarding school, and began pursuing a pilot’s license while still in high school. At the age of 19, he packed two suitcases and left his home to travel to Logan, Utah, where he earned a degree at Utah State University in mechanical and aerospace engineering. He continues to call Utah home.
Prasad’s thorough understanding of engineering has equipped him to successfully troubleshoot a wide variety of business challenges spanning operations, new market development, and global sales. His signature highly energy translates into high efficiency and productivity throughout his team—a team recognized for producing world-class results. His current team spans the globe at Young Living, where he oversees all revenue and sales operations.
Prasad’s go-to products include Valor™ and Highest Potential™ essential oil blends.
Prasad Gankanda was born in Sri Lanka. He learned English while attending Trinity College, a Sri Lankan British boarding school, and began pursuing a pilot’s license while still in high school. At the age of 19, he packed two suitcases and left his home to travel to Logan, Utah, where he earned a degree at Utah State University in mechanical and aerospace engineering. He continues to call Utah home.
Prasad’s thorough understanding of engineering has equipped him to successfully troubleshoot a wide variety of business challenges spanning operations, new market development, and global sales. His signature highly energy translates into high efficiency and productivity throughout his team—a team recognized for producing world-class results. His current team spans the globe at Young Living, where he oversees all revenue and sales operations.
Prasad’s go-to products include Valor™ and Highest Potential™ essential oil blends.
Kelly Case
Chief of Staff
Kelly has been a valued member of the Young Living team for more than 15 years, and during this time she has gained invaluable insight into many areas of the business. Kelly joined Young Living as a member of the marketing department and was then promoted to executive assistant to the founders, where she also supported various areas of the business.
Her role quickly evolved to that of a trusted advisor, where she has played a key role through many challenges and company growth.
Most of Kelly’s role has taken place behind the scenes, where she has mediated issues, advised, and bridged communication across disciplines to create a cohesive environment.
Kelly continues to be a strategic advisor, trusted voice, and sounding board to the executive team, CEO Mary Young, and Founder Gary Young but now plays a more visible role to the corporate staff and the strategic day-to-day business.
Kelly has a bachelor’s degree in English from Brigham Young University. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two children and loves travelling, spending time at the beach, reading, and attending the theatre.
Kelly has been a valued member of the Young Living team for more than 15 years, and during this time she has gained invaluable insight into many areas of the business. Kelly joined Young Living as a member of the marketing department and was then promoted to executive assistant to the founders, where she also supported various areas of the business.
Her role quickly evolved to that of a trusted advisor, where she has played a key role through many challenges and company growth.
Most of Kelly’s role has taken place behind the scenes, where she has mediated issues, advised, and bridged communication across disciplines to create a cohesive environment.
Kelly continues to be a strategic advisor, trusted voice, and sounding board to the executive team, CEO Mary Young, and Founder Gary Young but now plays a more visible role to the corporate staff and the strategic day-to-day business.
Kelly has a bachelor’s degree in English from Brigham Young University. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two children and loves travelling, spending time at the beach, reading, and attending the theatre.
Melissa Bishop
Chief Financial Officer
A collaborative and out-of-the-box thinker, Melissa joined Young Living with an extensive background in finance and accounting. She has 17 years of experience in the direct sales industry, as well as four years of experience working in public accounting for prestigious firms, including both Arthur Andersen LLP and KPMG International.
Before accepting the position of CFO, Melissa spent four years as the head of Young Living’s Global Tax department ensuring that the company remained compliant in all its markets. She received her master of accountancy degree with an emphasis in tax from Brigham Young University and is a certified public accountant. She has also served as a past president of the Utah chapter of the American Women’s Society of CPAs.
Melissa will read anything, from sci-fi to mysteries. She is very musical and can often be found playing piano. She also loves trying new food, scuba diving, working on DIY projects, and traveling with her husband and daughter. For a quick pick-me-up, she turns to NingXia Zyng®, and she never leaves home without a bottle of Peppermint.
A collaborative and out-of-the-box thinker, Melissa joined Young Living with an extensive background in finance and accounting. She has 17 years of experience in the direct sales industry, as well as four years of experience working in public accounting for prestigious firms, including both Arthur Andersen LLP and KPMG International.
Before accepting the position of CFO, Melissa spent four years as the head of Young Living’s Global Tax department ensuring that the company remained compliant in all its markets. She received her master of accountancy degree with an emphasis in tax from Brigham Young University and is a certified public accountant. She has also served as a past president of the Utah chapter of the American Women’s Society of CPAs.
Melissa will read anything, from sci-fi to mysteries. She is very musical and can often be found playing piano. She also loves trying new food, scuba diving, working on DIY projects, and traveling with her husband and daughter. For a quick pick-me-up, she turns to NingXia Zyng®, and she never leaves home without a bottle of Peppermint.
Joe Walker
Executive Vice President, Infrastructure
Joe Walker was born and raised in both Utah and California on a military base and spent his summers in Woodland, Utah, working in his grandparents’ country store and learning the value of hard work. He attended Kearns High School in Salt Lake City and then attended Brigham Young University.
Before joining the corporate world, Joe had the entrepreneurial spirit and owned a successful printer business with sales averaging $500,000 a year. He then continued in the Information Technology field, working for Word Perfect, Novell, Nature’s Way, and now Young Living for nearly 12 years, giving him 28 years of experience in the IT field.
When he is not working, Joe enjoys outdoor activities, riding motorcycles, snowmobiling, and supporting the Utah Jazz.
Joe Walker was born and raised in both Utah and California on a military base and spent his summers in Woodland, Utah, working in his grandparents’ country store and learning the value of hard work. He attended Kearns High School in Salt Lake City and then attended Brigham Young University.
Before joining the corporate world, Joe had the entrepreneurial spirit and owned a successful printer business with sales averaging $500,000 a year. He then continued in the Information Technology field, working for Word Perfect, Novell, Nature’s Way, and now Young Living for nearly 12 years, giving him 28 years of experience in the IT field.
When he is not working, Joe enjoys outdoor activities, riding motorcycles, snowmobiling, and supporting the Utah Jazz.
