Salt Lake City, UT— The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and Radicle Science have announced Global Director for external research at ChromaDex, Dr. Yasmeen Nkrumah-Elie, Ph.D., as the first-ever winner of the Trailblazing Woman Award. Presented during the CONVERGENCE '24 event, the award spotlights women who have made extraordinary contributions to the dietary supplement and functional food industry through their leadership, innovation, and mentorship. 

And the Winner is...

Dr. Nkrumah-Elie is always sharing her knowledge and helping bring science and the broader audience closer together. A frequent guest speaker at industry conferences, she is also a member of CRN's Senior Scientific Advisory Council and a contributor of several industry organizations including Women In Nutraceuticals (WIN) as well as the American Society for Nutrition, where she is avid advocate for diversity, inclusion, and equity. “We appreciate Dr. Nkrumah-Elie’s engagement and leadership in the CRN member community,” said Andrea Wong, Ph.D., CRN Senior Vice President, scientific and regulatory affairs. “Her depth of knowledge, combined with her dedication to advancing scientific excellence and mentoring future generations, has made a significant impact.”

The Nomination

Dr. Nkrumah-Elie was one of the five finalists for the award. Ultimately her commitment to advancing science, promoting diversity, and mentoring the next generation of female leaders led to her selection amongst an impressive pool of female CRN member nominees that included:

  • Rachel Brewer, Ph.D., executive director of research and development, USANA Health Sciences
  • Lori Lauersen, senior vice president of global research and development, Unilever Health & Wellbeing Collective
  • Amy Mozingo, vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs, SGS Nutrasource/GRAS Associates
  • Yasmeen Nkrumah-Elie, Ph.D., global director for external research, ChromaDex
  • Taneesha Routier, J.D., regulatory lawyer and compliance expert, XYMOGEN

“I am deeply honored to receive the Trailblazing Woman Award... And I am moved by the collective force of inspiring women leading within our dietary supplement industry who continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible—as my fellow finalists demonstrate. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of an industry dedicated to advancing wellness and improving global health," shared the award recipient.

IMG_0011.jpegDr. Nkrumah-Elie receives her award
CRN members reviewed all of the finalists and casted their votes for the winner by September 12th. Pelin Thorogood, Co-founder and Executive Chairwoman of Radicle Science, shared her thoughts on Dr. Nkrumah-Elie's recent accolade, “We’re thrilled to celebrate Dr. Nkrumah-Elie’s remarkable achievements and the lasting impact she’s made on our industry... A brilliant researcher, Dr. Nkrumah-Elie’s influence extends far beyond her scientific contributions—she’s a mentor, a connector, and a fierce advocate for women in science. Her passion for creating opportunities and uniting people in meaningful ways is why she’s such a worthy recipient of our inaugural Trailblazing Woman Award.”






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