Women in Nutraceuticals, a nonprofit organization led by business leaders focused on gender equity in the nutraceutical industry, held its first leadership summit at the Sonoran University of Health Sciences in Tempe, Arizona. On the eve of the event, WIN’s board of directors swore in the recently elected members and a new executive committee.

The summit began on April 25 with optional activities including a golf driving range, desert garden walk, or service opportunity to benefit Gathering Humanity, followed by a networking reception. April 26 began with a keynote speech from Leslie Aslchuler, ND, called “Free to Flow.”

Other highlights included a panel discussion with speakers Karin Hermoni, PhD, Katie Banaszewski, PhD, Susan Mitmesser, PhD, Nima Alamdari, PhD, and Nora Khaldi, PhD, called “Breaking the Lab Ceiling: Empowering Female Scientists for Leadership and C-Suite Advancement.”

Other sessions covered topics such as inclusive leadership, developing a personal brand, adopting a mentorship mentality, and more, with plenty of time for networking among the 125 attendees. The day was moderated by Rend Al-Mondhiry, partner at Amin Wasserman Gurnani and chair of WIN’s advisory board.

“Our first stand-alone summit underscored the power of community. From the powerful sessions with tactical takeaways to the chance to catch up with industry friends and colleagues, and make new ones, it was a valuable experience that we hope will accelerate positive change,” said Heather Granato, president of WIN.

Ahead of the summit, the re-elected board members Heather Granato of Nutrachievement and Karen Todd, RD, of Kyowa Hakko, were sworn in, along with new members Sybille Buchwald-Werner, PhD, of Newday and Michelle Martin of Cypress Minerals.

The new executive committee is made up of President Heather Granato, Vice President Michelle Martin, Treasurer Doug Reader, and Secretary Karen Howard.