AI, blockchain, regenerative agriculture: Technology’s growing importance in health and nutrition product creation
| Technology enthralls and affects most of our lives, and it is accelerating innovation in the supplements world in aspects ranging from optimizing supply chain logistics to measuring sustainability goals and discovering new ingredients and applications. This workshop will introduce you to the profits and perils inherent in a tech-laden world that offers the promise of outsized discovery and gains while also making some wonder about unintended consequences. So, buckle in as we dig into such tech topics as: • Plant cell cultivation in the 21st century has the potential to improve botanical ingredient quality, address supply chain issues and combat nutritional deficiencies. • Is blockchain ready to provide a solution to weak links along the value chain between seed and shelf? • How to elevate organic, regenerative and biodynamic practices to reflect an environmental and social governance (ESG) score that improves market standing.
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Date & Time
Tuesday October 24th, 2023 1:00pm PDT
End Date & Time
Tuesday October 24th, 2023 4:00pm PDT
Location
Islander Ballroom C
| PANEL MODERATOR |
 Karen HowardCEO/Executive Director, Organic and Natural Health Association Prior to opening the doors of O&N, Karen served as President of the National Animal Supplement Council, led the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Schools, and served as Congressional Committee staff. She has spent her entire career developing creative solutions for critical healthcare concerns. |
| PANEL |
 John Fagan Ph.D.CEO and Chief Scientific Officer, Health Research Insitute Dr. Fagan is CEO and Chief Scientific Officer at Health Research Institute (www.HRILabs.org), a 501(c)(3) non-profit researching the links between (a) regenerative agricultural practices, (b) the safety and nutritional value of foods, (c) consumer health and well-being, and (d) the health of the planet. HRI collaborates widely to catalyze the global transition to regenerative agricultural systems that produce pure, safe, healthy food for everyone, while creating balance and regenerating the planet. HRI also provides testing, R&D and consulting services to a diverse clientele. |
 Lauren PufferDirector, Sustainability Banking, TD Cowen Lauren Puffer joined TD Cowen in March 2022 as a Director in Sustainability Banking. Prior to this, she was at Jefferies for eight years, most recently as their Global ESG Equity Strategist. She was responsible for connecting with investor clients on ESG issues, as well as driving thematic content and best practices within the sustainability space. She also helped guide corporate clients on their ESG strategies and integration, and worked internally on Jefferies’ ESG initiatives, including their sustainability report. Lauren started her journey in ESG in 2007 while engaging with a growing number of SRI investors in the US as part of her IR advisory work at BNY Mellon. In this role, Lauren collaborated on a number of thought leadership papers, including, “The Growth of Socially Responsible and Sustainability Investing in North America.” She continued to incorporate sustainability factors into her work with Latin American and European companies in her subsequent roles at Barclays and Jefferies, respectively. Lauren has complemented her work with courses on corporate sustainability at both Harvard and NYU Stern. Lauren has a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and an MBA in Finance from the Stern School of Business at New York University. Lauren also holds the Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting certification, which is granted by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB). |
 Kia RuizBoard Chair, NonGMO Project Kia M. Ruiz is Board Chair for the NonGMO Project. She has served as interim Director of Right to Know GMO Colorado plus grows food at Jardin Juride where she includes interdependent or regenerative principles. |
| MODERATOR |
 Todd RunestadContent Director, Natural Products Insider, Informa Markets Todd Runestad is content director for Natural Products Insider. He has been covering the natural products industry, specifically ingredients and supplements, for more than 25 years with New Hope Network and NPI. Connect with him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddrunestad/ |
| SPEAKERS |
 Steve HoffmanPresident and Founder, Compass Natural Steven Hoffman is President and Founder of Compass Natural, a Boulder, Colo.-based PR and marketing agency dedicated to serving businesses and brands in the natural and organic products industry. A returned Peace Corps Volunteer and former Agriculture Extension Agent, Steve also served as Editorial Director of Natural Foods Merchandiser and Program Director of Natural Products Expo, and as Marketing Director for legacy organic brand Arrowhead Mills. He is former Chair and founding Board Member of Naturally Boulder, and former Director of The Organic Center. Visit www.compassnatural.com. |
 Neil FosterHead of Strategic Partnership, Nuritas With 20 years of experience across food, dietary supplements and beverage Neil Foster is Head of Strategic Partnerships at Nuritas. With responsibility for establishing strategic collaborations with the likes of Nestle, Mars and BASF and most recently bringing the world’s first AI discovered ingredient across the whole of life science to market. That ingredient is PeptiStrong, for muscle health, and is now available in over 4000 stored across the USA. |
 Sebastian BalcombeFounder & CEO, Specnova With over twenty-five years in the natural products industry and a Master of Science in Medicinal Chemistry, Balcombe approaches natural ingredients and delivery systems discovery and development through the lens of an experienced entrepreneur and scientist. From in-silico computational chemistry for compound discovery to clinical research and IP development, he has developed over thirty nutraceutical ingredients, multiple liposomal and beadlet delivery systems as well as the IP surrounding them. With his in-depth understanding of liposomal technology, Sebastian’s most recent research has focused on how this novel delivery system works with natural ingredients, including the ability to increase the bioavailability and stability of critical nutrients in the body. Sebastian’s authentic passion, craftsmanship, and commitment to creating a superior customer-brand experience have built his reputation as a pragmatic perfectionist in the industry. He is dedicated to helping people achieve a better quality of life and is committed to establishing new standards in product development, innovation, research, and quality control. |
 Heather Duncan FairmanCEO, DF Guardian Consulting, Inc. Heather Fairman is Founder and CEO of DF Guardian Consulting, Inc. and has over 30 years in executive leadership and management experience in regulatory affairs, quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) environments in the dietary supplement, food and beverage, biologic, over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. She is a sought-after independent consultant, transformational thought leader, writer and certified go-to speaker, and trainer, who also serves as the key technical advisor responsible for leading the development of an herbal raw material supply-chain market for the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Sustainable Energy and Climate Resilience organization, the SIDS DOCK Island Women Open Network (IWON), a United Nations-recognized intergovernmental organization with all the rights and privileges and comprised of 32 countries. Fairman has consistently led multiple businesses to sustainable compliance and solution-based organizational programs that have fostered mutually beneficial contract partnerships within the global food industry. Fairman’s keen ability to foster effective supply chain compliance solutions that increase businesses bottom line, strategically positions her to provide operational input, support and results driven outcomes for blockchain systems designed to help the industry distribute information throughout supply chain partnerships in a secure and transparent way. |
 Kenn IsraelFounder & Co-Founding Partner, Innovation Nutrition Consulting & BeyondBrands Passionately Cultivating Wellness for over three decades serving food supplement and ingredient brands with innovation, technical, and regulatory support. Co-Founding Partner at BeyondBrands – A New York based business development agency serving progressive, sustainable, plant-based & mission driven participants in the Beverage, Food, Dietary Supplement, Cosmetic, and Wellness categories. Founder of Innovation Nutrition Consulting – A California based boutique product development and innovation consultancy operating in the US and Europe serving leading dietary supplement, functional food, and nutraceutical ingredient firms. Deep industry experience in contract manufacturing, product development, regulatory affairs and compliance, operations, and a Natural Products Association COMPLI member. |
 Weslee Glenn, Ph.D.Head of Innovation, Ayana Bio As Head of Innovation at Ayana Bio, Wes designs technologies to produce plant bioactives. His goal is to develop modern methods that harness nature’s nutrients and conserve the environment. Prior to joining Ayana Bio, Wes was the Director of Metabolic Engineering at Provivi, where he led a team to develop natural pest control molecules. Wes earned his Ph.D. from MIT with work that was supported by an NSF Predoctoral Fellowship. He conducted his postdoctoral work at Caltech as a Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow and a UNCF/Merck Postdoctoral Fellow. |
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Education Sessions