Vitamin Angels has appointed Ana Céspedes as its new Chief Executive Officer. With nearly thirty years of global leadership experience and a Ph.D. in Pharmacy, Céspedes has served as COO at IAVI (previously, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative), and has held senior leadership positions with pharmaceutical, biotechnology and strategic consulting firms including Lilly, Arthur Andersen, Serono and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. The new CEO will start her term at the end of March 2025 and will continue serving as an independent board member of argenx. “I have immense admiration for the incredible work Howard and the Vitamin Angels team have achieved together with our local and global partners and funders. I am committed to building on this very solid legacy with dedication and passion."

Alexis Manfré is joining Phynova as its new VP of EMEA. With 17 years of B2B experience from Nutraceutical, Food, and Pharmaceutical industries, Manfré has occupied roles with Givaudan, Naturex, and AstraZeneca. A multicultural leader and Master's degree graduate from HEC Paris, the new VP commented on his new role, "I’m excited to join Phynova for three powerful reasons: Shared Purpose: Driving real health impact with science-backed, natural ingredients—I’m all in. Inspiring Team: Talented, visionary people who push boundaries and get results. Game-Changer – Reducose: A revolutionary breakthrough in glucose management, set to become a Food & Nutrition bestseller, transforming the health of millions people."

Debi Goldman

Naturally Seattle has hired Debi Goldman as its first Executive Director. A known advocate for fair trade practices and ethical business standards, the nonprofit program management and community engagement veteran will lead endeavors to build and grow the better-for-you CPG community. Goldman has been a member of the Naturally Network since 2022 and has held key leadership roles that strengthened chapter cohesion, expanded stakeholder engagement, and supported the launch of new chapters.

“The Pacific Northwest has such a vibrant natural products community. I’m honored to help amplify the voices of the innovative brands, retailers and entrepreneurs that call this region home,” said Goldman. “My goal is to foster collaboration and create a thriving ecosystem that champions sustainability, equity, and shared success. Together, we will make the Pacific Northwest a model for the future of the natural products industry.”

Abhijit Natu

Maypro Group has a new Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Abhijit Natu. The chemical engineer once held roles at BASF and Nu-Mega, developed classical brand management and innovation skills at Mondelez and Coca-Cola and will now oversee all United States based ingredient sales and marketing undertakings. “Maypro has a well-deserved reputation for innovative branded ingredients backed by science, market adaptation, and consistent progress. I plan to focus on further developing opportunities for innovation, refining Maypro’s go-to-market strategy, supporting customer expansion, and leveraging data and analytics to accelerate growth," shared Natu.

David Kennerley, is now the new Chief Financial Officer of Kroger. Kennerley has held several executive roles with PepsiCo throughout his 24 years of service including Senior Finance Director for its Global Beverages Group and Senior Vice President of Finance for its North American bottling business. Kroger chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen commented on the company's latest C-suite executive addition, “Kennerley brings to Kroger deep experience leading a broad-cross section of U.S. and international finance teams which helped PepsiCo create shareholder value for nearly 25 years."

Bruce Brown

Bruce Brown is joining the Seraphina Therapeutics leadership team to guide the growth strategy for C15:0, the first essential fatty acid discovered in over 90 years. The former End Use Market Executive for Kerry and President and Chief Operating Officer at Natreon will focus on elevating operations and positioning the company for its future expansion initiatives. “I initially became excited about joining Seraphina Therapeutics because of the groundbreaking science supporting C15:0, and the opportunity to translate this science across numerous consumer markets, with the ultimate goal of positively impacting public health and quality of life,” said Brown. “As the first essential fatty acid to be discovered in over 90 years, C15:0 has the incredible power to prolong long-term health and strengthen against age-related decline. In my new role, I look forward to making C15:0 more accessible to all.”

QUINN is expanding its leadership team with the additions of:

• Heather Cooper as Chief Sales Officer
• Beth Hunsicker Parker as Vice President of Marketing
• Randy Anderson as Chief Supply Chain and Operations Officer

All three members will provide support to the better-for-you snacking company as it continues to drive innovation, operational excellence, marketing, and market expansion. “These leadership changes mark a transformative moment for QUINN...Heather, Beth, and Randy each bring invaluable expertise that will enhance our strategic capabilities and accelerate our ability to scale while staying true to our mission.” shared Al Matulis, CEO of QUINN.

Sara Fenn O3Omega is now under the leadership of Sara Fenn as CEO. A marketing and business development expert, the plant-based omega-3 DHA supplements manufacturer appointed Fenn as its new Chief Executive Officer to expand its product line and drive growth. As CEO, Fenn will continue the company's mission of delivering high-quality, sustainable nutrition solutions to its global customers. 

Dr. Prem Sreenivasan is joining Stratum Nutrition as its Senior Manager of Scientific Affairs. Known for their science-backed ingredients, Dr. Sreenivasan will help increase the company's research capabilities and support its partners with introducing its products to market. "We are pleased to add such an experienced scientist to our department," said Kevin Ruff, Sr. Director of Research & Development at Stratum Nutrition. "We look forward to Prem's contributions to our research programs.” Dr. Sreenivasan will use his clinical research expertise to work alongside Dr. Ruff to continue strengthening Stratum's dedication to innovation, research and evidence based ingredient development.

Lee Brooks

The Bell Flavors & Fragrances team is welcoming their new Chief Operating Officer, Lee Brooks. A member of the Bell team since January 2020, Brooks has served as VP of Fragrance Operations in Middletown, NY and Vice President of Global Flavor & Fragrance Operations in Northbrook, Illinois. As COO he will oversee global operations and continue the company's pursuit of excellence in service, efficiency, and innovation. 

“I am truly honored and grateful for this opportunity. I look forward to continuing to work alongside the talented and dedicated teams at Bell. Together, we will refine our processes, embrace innovation, and leverage our automated, global infrastructure to streamline operations and deliver exceptional service to customers worldwide,” shared Brooks.

Christopher Gergen is the new CEO of The Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA). The former Chief Growth Officer of 4P Foods has made his name in the industry by implementing strategies to enhance market access for local farmers and launching the 4P's Food-Is-Medicine initiative. As CEO, Gergen will focus on fostering deep connections among farmers, industry leaders, and consumers while reinforcing campaigns for healthier soil, improved animal welfare, and fairer conditions for workers.

Gergen expressed his gratitude for the new opportunity, “The work of ROA and the regenerative organic movement could not be more important. Together we have the opportunity to accelerate the shift from extractive conventional agriculture to strategies that heal our planet and nourish our bodies. I am deeply honored to join the ROA community, build on the strong foundation in place, and exponentially expand our collective impact."

Susan Morris will begin her tenure as CEO of Albertsons starting on May 1st. A valued member of the supermarket chain for almost four decades, Morris has served as Chief Operations Officer and Executive Vice President since January 2018. Morris will take over for current CEO, Vivek Sankaran. “Albertsons Cos. has an incredibly bright future and the best team in the business — I am energized about the many opportunities that lie ahead,” shared Morris.

Richard McEvoy

Prinova has elected Richard McEvoy as its new President and CEO. A dynamic business leader, McEvoy's resume includes leadership roles at Unilever, JohsonDiversey, Vantage Specialty Chemicals, and most recently, CEO of Voyant Beauty. McEvoy will use his industry track record of driving business growth to help Prinova strengthen its presence and growth potential within the ingredients and premixes industry. “I’m excited to join Prinova at such a pivotal time,” said McEvoy. “The company has built a strong reputation for its commitment to excellence and innovation. I look forward to working with the talented team at Prinova and Nagase to build upon on this success, seize new opportunities, and deliver exceptional value for our customers and stakeholders.”

Abbey Smith has been promoted to Brand Manager for White Egret Personal Care. Smith, who began her career with the company in 2017 as a sales representative and marketing assistant, will focus on brand management and oversee social media, tradeshows, and community outreach plans. President Austin Bideaux shared his enthusiasm for Smith's Brand Manager promotion, “As we continue to grow, we recognize the importance of strengthening our brand presence and connecting with our customers in meaningful ways. Abbey’s experience, creativity, and dedication will play a key role in expanding our reach and reinforcing our commitment to high-quality, natural personal care products.”

The U.S. Hemp Roundtable organization has elected the following new officers, who  bring years of industry experience to the group as they look to further the interests and objectives of the hemp trade: 

• President: Jena Murray, Director of Quality and Regulatory, Medterra CBD
• Executive VP: Art Massolo, VP Business Development, Cycling Frog
• Chair: Clifford Starke, Chief Executive Officer, Just Brands
• Senior VP: Fred Cawthon, Chief Executive Officer, Verge Agritech
• VP for Membership: Inga Selders, Policy Director, American Shaman
• VP for Marketing and Outreach: Jim Higdon, CEO, Cornbread Hemp
• VP for Direct to Consumer: Aaron Nosbisch, BREZ
• VP for Audit: Jeromy Sherman, Bayou City Hemp
• Secretary: Cameron Ruffin, Frost Brown Todd
• Treasurer: John Copeland, Blue and Co. Accounting

Awards & Honors

Shaheen Majeed, photo credit Christopher Todd Studios 

American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) posthumously honored Dr. Muhammed Majeed during their annual Member Meeting with the special 2025 AHPA Visionary Award. A pioneer in the development of standardized herbal extracts from India’s Ayurvedic plants, the late Dr. Majeed served as founder and leader of the Sami-Sabinsa Group for 36 years and left a legacy that continues to be recognized and celebrated a year after his passing. Dr. Majeed's son and current Sabinsa Global CEO and Managing Director, Shaheen Majeed, was in attendance to accept the award.

"Dr. Majeed’s legacy is a testament to his visionary leadership and transformative impact on the herbal and natural products industry,” said Amber Bennett, AHPA VP of Marketing & Engagement. “Through his pioneering work, he not only advanced botanical innovation but also helped bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and contemporary health solutions. His unwavering commitment to quality, research, and education left an enduring mark on our industry, and we are honored to recognize his remarkable contributions with this prestigious Visionary Award.”

Inc. has named Kristy Lewis to its 2025 Female Founders 500 List. Now in its eighth year, the Female Founders list honors 500 women whose innovations and ideas have helped propel their industries forward. Each year, Inc. editors select honorees who are challenging the status quo and undertaking the challenge of addressing some of the biggest issues impacting the world today. Award recipients are judged on their revenue, sales, revenue growth, funding, audience size, social media momentum and stories of impact. Lewis, who is the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Quinn, has played a pivotal role in the company's mission to disrupt the food industry by reinventing classic snacks with flavorful, naturally sourced real ingredients, including gluten-free whole grans and zero artificial flavors.

"To me being an entrepreneur is about more than taking an idea and building something from it—it’s about breaking barriers, pushing industries forward, and proving that there is always a better way,” said Lewis. “At Quinn, we’ve challenged the food industry to prioritize transparency, sustainability, and real ingredients, but the work doesn’t stop there. As a female founder, I believe that success is measured not by what we achieve, but by the positive change we create and how we lift others up along the way. I’m honored to be recognized among so many incredible women who are driving this change, inspiring those to fulfill their dreams, and proving that women-led businesses are shaping the future."