Colleagues Share What Makes Mark Shine

Loren Israelsen, President, UNPA: “One of my favorite stories about Mark is the time he visited UNPA with this eyepatch. Apparently he had a bad eye infection or something but was undaunted in his travels. I don’t know how we made it through TSA. But this is pure Mark. Nothing would stop him and still doesn’t. He is a force of nature as everyone knows, and this eyepatch episode is a simple reminder.” 

Greg Ris, Vice President of Sales, Indena USA, Inc.: “The partnership between Indena and Mark Blumenthal with the American Botanical Council has been one of the company’s longest and most significant relationships. Since the American Botanical Council’s founding, Indena has been a member resulting in numerous interactions with the organization that have resulted in staff serving as advisors or on committees, contributing information on a wide range of botanicals, and editorial submissions or advertising in HerbalGram. More recently, Indena has been supportive of the American Botanical Council’s efforts to highlight adulteration in the industry and take action in preventing it.

“Mark has a great sense of humor that he utilizes when talking about tough issues. It’s always brought levity to topics such as regulatory concerns or adulteration that have allowed the industry to establish common ground in moving the industry forward. Mark has been a true pioneer for the nutrition industry.”

Howard Wainer, President, WFC, Inc.: “Mark and I have been close friends for all these years, and I admire all his contributions to the Herb Sector of this industry. I am proud that years ago I gave him his start as a writer.”

Elan Sudberg, CEO, Alkemist Labs: “Alkemist Labs and ABC have partnered on many important projects over the years. Because Alkemist acts as gatekeepers for quality to this industry, we love to share our data with Mark and Stefan [Gafner, ABC Chief Science Officer] to contribute to their multiple programs such as BAPP. Together we work to support and propel this beloved industry.

“When my daughter Mazzy was a baby, she was afraid of Santa Claus. The last thing she wanted to do was sit on some strange bearded white man’s lap. I feel the same. When she met Mark for the first time, she was equally not interested in getting to know him. He and I quickly rebranded him as Planta Claus and not that other guy Santa, and she has been running into his hugs ever since.”

Ann Armbrecht, Ph.D., Director of Sustainable Herbs Program: “Five years ago, Mark invited me to bring the Sustainable Herbs Program to ABC. It was a stand-alone project at the time, and I was looking for a long-term home for the website and work I was doing. The partnership with ABC brought credibility, resources, and access to the broader herbal products sector which has been instrumental to my being able to raise greater awareness and inspire action around the sustainable and ethical sourcing of herbs.

“Mark always helps me see the best side of people. He is incredibly generous and kind, and that helps me be a bit more generous and kind myself. Things that seem small, like pointing out that he doesn’t worry—he gets concerned but he doesn’t worry—are helpful reminders. He calls more people than I’ve known in my lifetime on their birthdays. He sends gifts when they have children.” 

Len Monheit, CEO, Industry Transparency Center: “My relationship with Mark goes back to my early times in this industry 25 years ago, and my trajectory would be so different if not for him. He was instrumental in personifying passion and purpose and transcending parts of lives. It was obvious he cared not only about what you were doing, but who you really were. His deep interest and broad knowledge made (makes) him a perfect mentor. I feel so fortunate.”

What do ABC employees love most about working for ABC the organization?

We asked them to dish, and the delivered!

Cecelia Thompson, Finance Dept.: "It as been 35 years of bliss working at the ABC organization. I have loved every minute being a part of such a respected international organization that produces incredible information on the scientific benefits of medicinal herbs. I love our mission that serves the public, our staff (family) that works tirelessly to fulfill our mission, our beautiful 2+ plus acres of botanical gardens...Most of all to our incredible tireless leader, Mark Blumenthal. Staff sent the following thanks to Mark: We would like to give our THANKS to YOU for all that you are and all that you do for us as individuals and for our organization. You are so caring and dedicated to the health and welfare of each of us, our families, and our mission at ABC. We thank you for your continued and relentless dedication, support, enthusiasm and belief in the science-based education and research of the herbal medicine evolution. We thank you for the opportunity to live the dream with you of a better world through herbal choices in health care."

Gayle Engels, Special Projects Director: "When I interviewed with Mark Blumenthal more than 28 years ago for a job with the American Botanical Council, I knew within minutes that I had found an organization and a person that I could work with for the remainder of my life. Mark was so engaged in the interview and showed so much interest in me, not only as a potential employee, but as a person. He was so passionate about the mission of the organization, to educate the public on the responsible use of herbal medicine, that I felt like I had found a home. I knew ABC was a place that I could learn and teach and be of service, and I still feel the same, all these years later. Congratulations, Mark; You’re the person of the decades to many of us."