The Vitamin Shoppe announced the executive appointments of Monika Grabania as Vice President, Digital Marketing and Erica Evans as Vice President, Inventory Planning. Grabania will head the company's digital marketing organization, focusing on growth marketing, CRM, loyalty programs, and data strategies while strengthening customer engagement, continuing to build loyalty, and expanding the brand's reach across all digital channels. Evans will lead enterprise-wide inventory planning, forecasting, and allocation initiatives securing optimal product availability, channel efficiency, and sales productivity throughout The Vitamin Shoppe omni-channel network. The announcement comes as part of a series of new hires, which included Mike Forbes as Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer and Kate Vukelich as Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer. The company will look to its newest members to accelerate its digital growth and enterprise-wide operational merit. 

"These appointments represent a dynamic next step for The Vitamin Shoppe as we continue building out a high-performance organization aligned with our bold growth ambitions," shared Sharon Leite, CEO of The Vitamin Shoppe. "Monika and Erica each bring deep experience at world-class brands and exceptional executional capabilities in their areas of expertise. Their leadership will be instrumental as we elevate the customer experience, hone our digital capabilities, and strengthen our operational excellence to fuel this next phase of our evolution and expansion."

Once Again has announced Susan DiPietro as its new Chief Executive Officer. Succeeding Bob Gelser, DiPietro's will look to continue Gelser's mission of driving sustainable growth, inspire innovation, and champion the company's long standing employee-ownership culture and core values of integrity, respect, and commitment. The new CEO's resume includes senior roles with Fortune 100 and private-equity companies and leading multimillion consumer packaged goods (CPG) businesses.

"This employee-owned company is built on a strong foundation of quality, innovation, and lived values. I look forward to partnering with the team to accelerate Once Again’s growth, broaden our reach, and continue building on the incredible portfolio of clean-ingredient products our customers trust and love," shared DiPietro.

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) shared the results of its latest Board of Directors elections. Joining the Board are Ryan Woodbury, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Needed, and Mike Finamore, CEO, Gemini Pharmaceuticals—appointed to fill a vacancy. Several long-standing members of the Board were also re-elected to serve another three-year term including: Diane Alexander, Sales Director, Verb Biotics; Doug Brown, VP Global Account Management, Sirio Pharma Co., LTD.; Bradley Reynolds, President & CEO, Fermenta USA; Andrew Shao, Senior Vice President, Global Scientific & Regulatory Affairs, Niagen Bioscience; and Anthony Weston, CEO, SUANNUTRA. A full list of CRN's 2026 Board of Directors is available here.

“As we move into 2026, CRN’s Board of Directors brings the perspective and strategic focus our industry needs,” said Steve Mister, President & CEO of CRN. “Our CRN board leadership helps ensure the association remains proactive on legislative and regulatory issues, grounded in science, and committed to supporting responsible growth across the supplement and functional food marketplace.”

Kyowa Hakko Bio Italia (KHIT) has appointed Nicola Urso as its President. With almost 25 years of tenure with the organization, Urso will lead KHIT's strategic priorities including: expanding into key markets, accelerating digital transformation and continuing to invest in top talent to build the next generation of scientific and commercial leaders. Under his leadership, KHIT will adopt a simplified, more agile operating model designed to accelerate decision-making and deepen customer impact across the region.

"This evolution marks a new chapter in our European journey," shared Urso. "With a more agile structure and a clear regional remit, KHIT is poised to deliver greater scientific value to customers across EMEA, faster and more effectively than ever before."

ThomasHelgeHansen.jpegThomas Helge Hansen
Thomas Helge Hansenhas rejoined theGC Rieber VivoMegateam asNorth American Sales Manager. Hansen, who has previously held Production Managment, Purchasing, Sales, and Business Development roles, will lead the company's North American sales activities. A 20-year omega-3 and dietary supplements industry veteran, he will regularly spend time out of the GC Rieber head office and production facility in Kristiansund and meet with the company's international customers.

“I am thrilled to be rejoining GC Rieber VivoMega in an expanded capacity,” said Helge Hansen. “This company has always stood out for its commitment to quality, innovation, and responsible sourcing. I look forward to strengthening relationships with our North American partners and supporting their growth with solutions they can trust.”

Danielle KleinerKanter.pngDanielle Kleiner-Kanter
Danielle Kleiner-Kanterhas joinedNatures Crops Internationalas Marketing Manager. With a background in cultural anthropology and over a decade of industry experience, Kleiner-Kanter has worked with Fortune 500 and several well-known wellness brands. An MBA graduate from the University of California, Davis, the new Marketing Manager takes over for Jacqueline Rizo. Natures Crops took to social media to share the news and congratulate their newest team member: "This week sees an exciting (albeit tinged with sadness) change to our marketing leadership. After 3 years of being a wonderful Marketing Manager for Natures Crops International, Jacqueline Rizo will be leaving to pursue new opportunities and experiences, and she leaves with our best wishes for success and happiness. Whilst nobody can ‘replace’ Jackie, we are thrilled that Danielle Kleiner-Kanter has joined us to take our marketing and communications leadership to the next level."

BrendanNiemira.jpegBrendan Niemira
Brendan Niemirais the new Chief Science and Technology Officer (CSTO) at theInstitute of Food Technologists (IFT). A former lead scientist and research microbiologist at the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA-ARS), Niemira has published more than 200 peer-reviewed research articles, book chapters, and critical reviews. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in biological sciences from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. in Botany and Plant Pathology from Michigan State University. The new CSTO has been a member of IFT since 2003, served on its Board of Directors, and been selected as an IFT Fellow in 2023—recognizing his career excellence and significant service, leadership, and contributions to IFT and the profession.

Consumer packaged goods industry veteran Bob Scalia is the newest Board Member at Newman's Own. He serves on the boards of two food companies and is the President and CEO of Flagstone Foods. A Chemical Engineering graduate from Cornell University, Scalia holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and has served on several industry boards, including the Biscuit and Cracker Manufacturer's Association (now the American Bakers Association) and the Foundation for Strategic Sourcing. 

Awards & Honors

ArnottDuncan.pngArnott Duncan
The Organic Summit (OGS) has selected Arnott Duncanas its 2025 Grower of the year. Sponsored by John Deere, the award was presented to the founder of Duncan Family Farms, during this year's Organic Grower Summit held in Monterey, California. Duncan was recognized for his 30 year career, which began as a small-scale agritourism operator and grew into organic farming innovator, managing 3,850 acres across three states. The Duncan Family Farms private composting operation processes 25,000 tons annually from feedlot manure, retailer food trimmings and municipal green waste and spans locations across Arizona, Oregon and New York, specializing in organic leafy greens, microgreens, melons, herbs and specialty vegetables.

"Duncan has built a reputation as an innovative leader who champions compost-based soil health," said Matt Jungmann, Senior Director of events at Farm Progress. "His nominators consistently highlighted his thoughtful approach to organic farming."