Person of the Year is always an interesting feature, as we get amazing nominations in our efforts to recognize a person, or a group of people, for making a major impact on our industry in the given year. In recent years, we have put the spotlight on the impact of Mark Blumenthal from the American Botanical Council, Howard Schiffer from Vitamin Angels, Frontline Essential Workers During COVID-19, Independent Natural Product Retailers, and Megan Westgate from the Non-GMO Project.
This year, we recognize Women in Nutraceuticals (WIN), an organization that has been a driving force behind the movement to create an environment in which women have an equal place in the leadership and growth of the nutraceutical industry. Since its inception in 2022, the organization, which is for all genders, has grown immensely. You can read all about it here.
During the nomination process for this year’s Person of the Year, we received quite a few excellent recommendations, and there is one in particular that we want to acknowledge. On the Naturally Connected page on Facebook, many rallied for the late Sally Byrd, a true friend and inspiration to us all, as well as a pioneering woman in the natural products industry who I can only imagine would embrace WIN. This made us think of Sally and many other industry friends who we lost this year. We unfortunately said goodbye to some great humans who were such assets to our industry as well as good friends, mentors, and people we just loved. See our special coverage Remembering industry leaders, and please take a moment to read and remember Sally and more of the individuals who have made such wonderful contributions to our industry. Their legacies will live on.
Some of the other industry leaders we lost are Dr. Muhammed Majeed, Founder and Chairman of Sami Sabinsa and a pioneer and protector of herbal ingredients. He and his son Shaheen were just honored by UNPA at SupplySide West. We also lost retailers Peggy Ranger, who was a past president of SENPA, and Rob Auerbach, founder Rainbow Blossom, our Retailer of the Year in 2019. We also remember James Gormely, who passed suddenly this year. He has written for many publications in the industry and has helped so many brands grow. And sadly, there are others, and we remember all and give them the love and grace we all deserve.
In an email exchange that I had today, our Legal Columnist Scott Tips shared the news of his friend Durk Pearson’s passing. Scott told me he had recently been thinking of Durk and had meant to reach out to him, but now it is too late. So, Scott and I took the opportunity to share our appreciation of one another. The takeaway for me is let everyone know how you feel, and do not put off getting in touch with a loved one or friends. You never know what the next day will bring.
With that in mind, I want to say we appreciate all of you. Thank you all for celebrating our 40th anniversary with us all year long, and we look forward to bringing you more education in 2025.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
