Manitowoc, WI – December 2025
Joe Yanda, President and CEO of Lakeside Foods, was selected by BizTimes Media for inclusion in its upcoming 2025 edition of Wisconsin 275, a premier publication honoring the state’s most influential business leaders. Yanda was chosen by the publication’s editorial team in recognition of his outstanding leadership and impact on Wisconsin’s business community.
A fourth-generation leader at Lakeside Foods, Yanda joined the company full-time in 1999 as a quality assurance technologist and has since held leadership roles across sales, operations, and supply chain. He became chief operating officer in 2019 and was appointed president and CEO in 2021.
During Yanda’s tenure as CEO, Lakeside acquired Cher-Make Sausage Co. in 2021, expanding both product offerings and manufacturing capabilities.
In addition to his leadership role at Lakeside, Yanda serves on the boards of the Consumer Brands Association and the National Association of Manufacturers, where he contributes to broader industry collaboration and advocacy.
When asked about leadership, he credits his father with teaching him the importance of “hard work and humility,” and encourages first-time leaders to “stay humble, listen more than you talk, lead by example, and empower your team.”
Outside of work, Yanda is an endurance sports enthusiast and an avid Nordic skiing fan. His favorite Wisconsin destinations include Manitowoc and Door County, and he is a regular listener of the “Rich Roll” podcast.
