Global CEO & Managing Director of Sami-Sabinsa Group, Shaheen Majeed, has been elected as Vice Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (2024-2025). The confederation, which works to create and maintain an environment favorable to the development of India, partnering Industry, government and civil society, is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organization with roughly 9,000 member from private and public sectors. As Vice Chairman, Majeed will use his expertise to lead initiatives to help businesses drive innovations in various sectors. “India is progressing in the Global Innovation Index (GII) and is globally viewed as one of the fastest-growing economies in terms of innovation, a testament to cutting-edge technologies and scientific advancements...CII has consistently supported industries and startups in fostering innovation ecosystem through a strong intellectual property framework. I look forward to collaborating with other committee members and industry peers to devise and drive strategic initiatives that will further industry’s innovation potential," Majeed commented. 

In related Sami-Sabinsa news, the company has added the following members to its leadership team:

  • Kim Merselis, Sales Manager
  • Darrin Fox, Vice President of Operations, Sabinsa Utah
  • Melissa Beddoes, Operations Manager
  • Jeanette Fisher, Marketing Director
  • Dr. K Srinivasa Reddy, Director of Quality & Regulatory

The company has also expanded its global sales offices presence with the opening and hiring of new staff in Russia and South America. Satomy Arenas Kami and Camila Correa Cugnier Machado have joined the Sabinsa Brazil team with Tatiana Tetereva serving the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries.

Trace (formerly known as Trace Minerals) has appointed Chuck Walkley as its new Chief Executive Officer. Walkley has worked for various CPG companies, including Pepsi, and previously held the Chief Operating Officer position at Trace. "I’m honored to take on this role at such an exciting time in the company’s journey. We will continue to focus on delivering premium products that help people thrive, while also evolving to meet the needs of today’s consumers," shared Walkley. The new CEO will look to expand the company's impact and legacy of innovation in the health and wellness space. 

Rob Case

Rob Case has been appointed as MycoTechnology's new Chariman of the Board. Prior to becoming a member of the company's Board of Directors, Case held Chief Marketing Officer and President of Nestlé Beverages roles and served as board member for several CPG companies. In his new position, Case will succeed Co-Founder and former Chairman, Alan Hahn. “It’s a privilege to take on this role during an exciting time in MycoTechnology’s journey...I look forward to continued growth and progress toward our mission of food system transformation, as we build on existing innovations and explore new solutions from nature," shared Case. 

JoeWeiss.jpgJoe Weiss

Joe Weiss is now the Global Head of Brand Management for PLT Health Solutions, Inc. The consumer products and ingredient supply organizations veteran is a board member of the Natural Products Association and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business. He will join the Leadership Team and be based out of the company's Morristown, NJ headquarters as he looks to support the development of PLT's most strategic ingredient brands into global markets. Prior to joining PLT in the newly created role, Weiss served as President of Nutrition21, LLC, Vice President of Corporate Brands at Vitamin Shoppe, and Senior Vice President of Merchandising at GNC. “PLT Health Solutions offers a comprehensive portfolio of best-in-class ingredient solutions that are well positioned to meet these demands on a global scale. I’m excited to work with such an experienced and talented team to help further elevate PLT’s leadership in this dynamic industry,” said Weiss.

Adam Goodman is the new VP of Sales and Marketing for Summit Rx. Goodman has over three decades of Natural Products Industry experience, is the current President of the East Region of the Natural Products Association, and most recently held a position as National Sales Manager at Okamoto, USA. “Adam and I have worked on successful projects together in the past, and I am very pleased to have him on board as our new VP," shared CEO Sam Salia.

ChiomaIkonte.jpgDr. Chioma Ikonte
Lief Labsis welcomingDr. Chioma Ikonteas its new Chief Science Officer (CSO). Dr. Ikonte boasts over two decades of nutritional supplements experience and in her new role will look to lead the company's Innovation, Product Design, Development, Project Management, Quality & Regulatory Affairs, shape the direction of scientific and research efforts, and ensure that the highest standards of quality and excellence are upheld. “I am excited to join Lief at this pivotal moment in the journey towards strengthening its position as an iconic manufacturing partner in driving product innovation within the supplement and wellness industries,” said Dr. Chioma Ikonte. “Passionate about Quality by Design and building leadership at every level, I am thrilled to partner with other functional leaders and the entire team to deliver excellence to our brand partners.”


Offshoot Brands has announced Angie Rowland as its new Chief Commercial Officer. Rowland has many years of fresh food industry experience spanning dairy, produce, and functional beverages. Most recently, Rowland served as Vice President of Commercial Development & Customer Growth at Bolthouse Farms. “I have dedicated my entire career to the fresh food industry, recognizing that business success starts with strong partnerships with farmers and the land beneath us... I am thrilled to join the dynamic Offshoot Brands team and eagerly anticipate the achievements and continued growth we will accomplish together," shared the new CCO. In her new role, Rowland will look to drive growth across the company's growing portfolio of products including Love Beets, Veggie Confetti, Genuine Coconut, LOOP Mission, and Fresh Face Foods, spearhead the company's commercial strategy, and oversee key partnerships.

Scott Engberg has joined NXT USA as Vice President of Sales. Engberg has many years of natural products industry experience with an expertise in nutritional technologies. In his new role he will look to drive new partnerships, expand market reach, and help NXT USA further establish itself as a key player in the ingredients solutions space. "I'm excited to join the dedicated team at NXT USA...The company's innovative approach to ingredient solutions and its strong focus on clinical validation present an incredible opportunity. I look forward to contributing to NXT USA's growth and helping our clients create impactful products that resonate with modern consumers," said Engberg.

Brent Gravlee is the new Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) of Egglife Foods. The former VP of Sales at Clif Bar will look to use his 20 years of industry experience to help the young startup from Indiana, which has grown from $4 million to $50 million in just five years, prepare for its next phase of aggressive growth. 

JorgeAzevedo.jpgJorge Azevedo

Jorge Azevedo is the new Chief Executive Officer of high-quality fermented, functional foods producer, Fermented Food Holdings, Inc. With over 15 years of business operations, sales, and brand development experience, the former Fermented Food Holdings COO will oversee FFH's strategic direction, operational functions, and key partnerships while driving performance optimization across the brand portfolio including Bubbies, wildbrine, and Flanagan Farm. "I'm honored to lead FFH at such an exciting time for the company, and the fermented foods industry as a whole...I look forward to building on our strong foundation of innovation, quality, and sustainability as we expand our product offerings and deepen our relationships with partners and consumers alike," shared Azevedo.

Andy.JPGAndy Hall-Ponselè

Andy Hall-Ponselè has been promoted from Head of Operations to Chief Scientific Officer at Green Bioactives. In his new role, he will oversee the company's research and development team and will be pivotal in leading the production of Green Bioactives first generation of plant cell culture products. He has a strong background in plant science and holds a DPhil in Plant Biochemistry from the University of Oxford as a Wykeham Scholar focused on plant metabolic engineering and a BSc (Hons) in Biotechnology from University of Edinburgh. "I am honored to step into the role of Chief Scientific Officer. Our late CSO and Company Founder, Gary Loake, laid a strong foundation, and I look forward to building on that legacy with the talented team we have in place. With our combined expertise and a clear strategic focus, I am confident we can drive the innovation and scientific excellence that will allow us to capitalize on our successful GBL-Memory1 product launch. I am excited to lead our R&D efforts and contribute to our continued company growth," said Hall-Ponselè.

JonCraig.jpg

KIND Snacks has announced Jon Craig will be the new Chief Financial Officer of KIND North America. “We are very excited to welcome Jon into the KIND family as the new Chief Financial Officer...Jon’s depth of experience across multiple markets and his ambition for driving results and challenging the status quo make him an integral addition to KIND’s leadership team," commented Daniel Calderoni, CEO of KIND North America. Craig will look to guide KIND's financial and business strategy and bring a fresh perspective to drive strategic and operational decision and support their long-term growth objectives to advance the brand's mission of creating snacks that not only taste good but feel good and do good. “I am thrilled to join the KIND leadership team as we work together to write the next chapter for the business," said Craig.


Awards & Honors

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) has announced the winners of its CAPS graduate student award program for 2024, Opeyemi Ogedengbe, M.Sc. and Gwoncheol Park, M.S.. CAPS (CRN and ASNF Program for Scholars) was created in 2021 as part of CRN's efforts to support the nutrition research community and raise awareness of the role dietary supplements play in nutrition. Award winners are chosen from graduate student members of the American Society for Nutrition (ASN) based on their academic record and commitment to research. “My aim was to discover microbiome-based therapeutic interventions for human disease and promote healthy aging. The topics of the Science in Session program align perfectly with my research interests. I believe this is an extraordinary opportunity that will push my boundaries and open doors to a broader world,” shared Park.

CAPS winners are given travel support along with complimentary registration to the annual Science in Session symposium. Once there, they are partnered with a "mentor" CRN member to aid with industry professional networking opportunities. “I am confident the CRN symposium will offer me the experience and knowledge needed to effectively translate this intervention, along with enhancing my research skills and overall professional development," shared Ogedengbe.