Kayla Viveiros, CEO of MUNROE DAIRY, credits her humble beginnings with shaping the way she leads today. Those early experiences instilled in her a deep appreciation for stability, careful listening, and staying grounded - along with a lasting respect for hard work and responsibility. These values continue to guide her as the first female CEO of Munroe Dairy, a 145-year-old, family-owned dairy and grocery delivery company that has served Rhode Island and parts of Massachusetts for generations.
Kayla’s path to leadership was not traditional. It did not follow a straight line or a prescribed formula, but rather was defined by passion, persistence, and a refusal to accept limitations. She is proud of that journey - not only because of where it led, but because of how it shaped her philosophy of leadership. “Businesses do not succeed simply because of strategy or scale,” she says. “They succeed when people feel seen, respected, and supported. Leadership, at its core, is human work.”
In addition to leading a complex, multi-faceted organization, Kayla is a mother of three daughters and a wife of 22 years. She credits her husband’s steady partnership and unconditional support as the foundation that allows her to lead with confidence and presence each day. His support enables her to show up fully - for her family, the business, and the broader community. While balancing work and family is never without challenges, it has sharpened her perspective, strengthened her resolve, and deepened her empathy. Leading while raising children has reinforced the importance of patience, communication, and modeling values through action.
Before stepping into her role at Munroe Dairy, Kayla spent years working alongside small and medium-sized manufacturers through the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) network. That experience profoundly shaped her leadership approach. She worked closely with business owners and teams navigating growth, uncertainty, workforce challenges, and operational pressure. She saw firsthand the weight leaders carry—not only for profitability, but for the livelihoods of employees and the stability of their families.
At Munroe Dairy, people come first. Kayla believes every employee has a life beyond the workplace, and that the strongest organizations are built when leaders honor that reality rather than ignore it. “When leaders communicate clearly, treat people with respect, and lead with care, trust grows,” she explains. “With trust comes resilience—the ability to adapt, collaborate, and move forward together, even when conditions are challenging.”
Throughout her career, Kayla has been recognized at both the state and national levels for her leadership and service to the manufacturing sector. She has been nominated for Rhode Island’s 40 Under 40 and the Next Generation Leadership Award. Nationally, she was selected as a NIST Emerging Leader, an honor awarded to just 16 leaders each year across the country. That recognition came as part of a year-long leadership development program focused on collaboration, manufacturing leadership, and national impact through the MEP network.
Kayla is also a published industry writer and author, sharing practical insights on operations, leadership, and performance improvement. While these recognitions are meaningful, she views them as reflections of collective effort rather than individual achievement. Leadership, in her view, is never a solo endeavor. The work only truly matters if it strengthens teams, organizations, and the communities they serve.
As CEO of Munroe Dairy, Kayla’s role is to turn complexity into clarity. She sets direction and builds systems that support the full operation—from sourcing and production to delivery and customer experience. Today, Munroe Dairy spans manufacturing, warehousing, fleet operations, customer service, and a community-facing market and café, The Sacred Cow, in East Providence. The operation includes dedicated customer service teams, a garage team that maintains a fleet of 40 refrigerated and freezer-equipped trucks, and more than 30 delivery routes operated by milkmen and milkwomen.
A key part of Kayla’s responsibility is ensuring all of these moving parts work together seamlessly, so every employee understands how their role fits into the bigger picture. She also guides thoughtful, strategic change as the company modernizes key areas of the business, including the launch of a new website and the transition to a new ERP system. These efforts are designed to improve visibility, strengthen operations, and enhance the experience for both employees and customers—while preserving the company’s heart and personal touch. Change, she believes, is most successful when people understand the “why” behind it and feel supported throughout the process.
Kayla also spends significant time on operational strategy, supply chain stability, leadership development, and organizational culture. Some of the most meaningful moments in her role come from working alongside the team, asking questions, listening, and watching people collaborate to solve challenges. “Leadership is not about having all the answers,” she says. “It’s about presence, listening without defensiveness, and creating space for honest conversations that lead to better decisions.”
As Munroe Dairy moves through 2026, the company enters an exciting chapter. This year marks its 145th anniversary—a milestone that reflects the loyalty of its customers, the dedication of its employees, and the strength of the Rhode Island community that has supported the business for nearly a century and a half. The focus remains on strengthening the foundation through modernization, strategic infrastructure investment, and leadership development, while continuing to deliver the quality and service customers expect.
Leadership, Kayla believes, starts with people. Leaders can hold high standards and still lead with care. “Munroe Dairy’s story demonstrates that honoring family, community, and legacy is not separate from success,” she says. “It is the foundation that allows success to last.”
151 N Brow Street,
East Providence,
401-438-4450,
CowTruck.com
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