Executive Management Team

Founder of Young Living Essential Oils and father of the modern-day essential oils movement

Turning a passion into a profession is a dream for many; but for Young Living Founder and father of the modern-day essential oils movement D. Gary Young, it was a vibrant reality. In the late 1980s, Gary discovered the profound power of essential oils. Through Young Living, he was able to share his matchless knowledge with millions around the world, supporting their health and transforming their lives. Gary’s unrivaled expertise on the power of plants led to the creation of the world’s largest line of essential oils and blends.

Gary was part inventor and part historian. His pursuit of new wellness discoveries was rooted in ancient practices as he unlocked and shared the benefits bestowed by herbs, plants, and trees. His research took him to the remote corners of the earth, and often back in time, to better understand nature’s powers that modern society may overlook.

In his travels to study essential oil distillation techniques around the world, Gary discovered wide discrepancies in quality. He learned that in order to ensure purity and potency, rigorous, expert analysis of finished oils is critical. With an uncompromising commitment to essential oil science, Gary established a standard and a guarantee that Young Living will offer only 100 percent pure, natural, uncut oils that maintain their vital potency.

To produce essential oils of this quality, Gary created the Seed to Seal® process, a philosophy ensuring that from the seeds we plant in pristine soil to the moment we seal our bottles in cutting-edge facilities, our full focus is on providing a final product that represents the best of nature without compromise.

With a deep conviction of the power of essential oils, Gary built Young Living to advocate total well-being for everyone, everywhere. Young Living is dedicated to continuing Gary’s vision and dream through the gift of essential oils.

President and 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.

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.

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.

Chief Financial Officer

Melissa Bishop joined Young Living with an extensive background in Finance and Accounting. Before accepting the position of CFO, she spent four years as the head of our Global Tax department ensuring that we remain compliant in all our markets and has been a key participant in launching 10 new markets over the past two years. Melissa is a collaborator and out of the box thinker who loves being part of a team and working to find creative solutions to problems.

Melissa received her Masters of Accountancy with an emphasis on Tax from Brigham Young University and is a Certified Public Accountant. She has 15 years of experience in the direct sales industry, as well as four years of experience working in public accounting for both Arthur Andersen and KPMG. Prior to joining Young Living, Melissa worked for another direct sales company as their Chief Financial Officer. She has also served as the past president of the Utah chapter of the American Women’s Society of CPAs.

Growing up, Melissa helped her father with everything from hanging drywall to changing the brakes on her car. Learning these skills allowed her to build trust in herself and her abilities and gave her the confidence she needed to succeed. Outside of work, Melissa is an avid reader and will read anything from sci-fi to fantasy to romance to mysteries. She is very musical and can often be found playing the piano or singing; the latter has led her across the world from San Diego to Budapest to Zagreb. She loves to travel, try new foods, garden, scuba dive, and work on DIY projects.

One of Melissa’s favorite Young Living products is Zyng for a burst of natural energy and a quick pick-me-up. At the end of the day, she loves to diffuse a blend of Cedarwood and Lavender for a warm and comforting scent, and never leaves home without a bottle of Peppermint oil paired with a roller top. 

Chief Legal Officer

As Chief Legal Officer, Brant Bishop brings to Young Living decades of experience of practicing law at the highest levels. He graduated from Brigham Young University in 1993 with a joint master’s/bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and from the Harvard Law School in 1996 with a Juris Doctorate.

After a judicial clerkship with a United States Court of Appeals judge, Brant worked in the Washington, D.C. office of the global law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP for nearly 20 years, leaving as an equity partner in 2016. Brant was then one of the founding partners and the managing partner for a D.C.-based boutique trial litigation firm, then known as Wilkinson Walsh & Eskovitz LLP, from which he retired in 2020.

During almost 25 years of private law practice, Brant represented clients in a variety of industries—including high tech, financial services, private equity, insurance, oil & gas exploration and production, professional sports, automotive, consumer products, and pharmaceuticals—and in a variety of civil cases, including lawsuits involving claims related to state and federal constitutions, international law, antitrust laws, consumer protection laws, private contracts, and state and federal securities statutes, among many others. Brant has represented clients before several government agencies, in many state and federal trial courts around the country, in several federal appeals courts, and in the U.S. Supreme Court. 

Brant is married to his wife of 26 years, and together they have five children. Outside of work, he has served on boards for several tax-exempt charitable organizations and as a volunteer in both church and community organizations. His favorite Young Living products are the Wolfberry Crisp Bar and all the citrus essential oils.