Our expert contributors
Matevž Ambrožič is marketing and PR director at PharmaLinea. He has an academic background in biochemistry, with a specialty in protein biochemistry. After having finished top of his master's degree class at Stockholm University, he was recruited for an R&D position by the pharmaceutical industry giant Novartis. Ambrožič later decided to apply his knowledge of life sciences in the food supplement industry and took on the position he currently holds at PharmaLinea.
Jane Barracato, RD, is an experienced health professional who is passionate about education and responsible communication to consumers and patients with over 20 years diversified experience in corporate, university and hospital settings. A registered dietitian, Barracato holds a master’s of clinical nutrition from UMDNJ. She is a scientific leader focused on global nutrition for claims and dietary supplement formula creation partnering with cross functional colleagues around the world.
Dr Trygve Bergeland, PhD, is vice president science and product development at Kappa Bioscience. With almost 20 years of experience in research, he has built a broad experience in scientific substantiation and documentation within the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industry. He has a doctorate in cell biology from the University of Oslo.
Jörg Büttinghaus heads the global sales organization of Kappa Bioscience, the pioneer in developing and producing fully biologically active all-trans vitamin K2. He is responsible for Kappa Bioscience’s international customer business and commercial development. Büttinghaus is a member of various industry associations in North America and Europe and has excellent networks. He challenges the industry with his passion for transparency and business ethics.
Dr Gabriele Fontana, PhD, is director of innovation and business intelligence at the headquarters of Indena Spa, a private Italian company specialized since 1921 in the research, development and manufacturing of botanical ingredients. Dr Fontana entered the field of technology and business intelligence in 2012, after 20 years spent as scientist and research manager, signing more than 90 peer reviewed papers and more than 25 patents. After his laurea in organic chemistry in 1991 from the University of Milan, he started his career as scientist in the field of natural products collaborating with dietary supplement, flavour and fragrance companies. In 1996, he earned a doctorate in medicinal chemistry and moved as research associate to the Department of Chemistry at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne (UK) under fundings of the UK Cancer Research Campaign, and thereafter to GlaxoWellcome in Verona. In 2000, Dr Fontana joined Indena SpA in Milan (Italy) as research manager and expert of natural products derivatives for dietary and pharmaceutical use.
David J. Foreman is a pharmacist, author and media personality known internationally as “The Herbal Pharmacist.” His background in both pharmacy and natural medicine put Foreman in an elite class of health experts who can teach integrative medicine practices. He is a frequent guest speaker at universities and international conferences around the globe and provides R&D to help companies formulate scientifically substantiated and innovative nutraceuticals. Foreman is a graduate of the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy and is author of hundreds of articles, journal articles and books.
An international brand management professional with more than four years of experience working in iconic global brands in different categories of the FMCG industry, Niccolo Gasparoli serves as the product manager for FIGHT Vitamins. With a master of science in management from Universita Bocconi, Gasparoli brings a blend of marketing, analytical and soft skills to craft brand strategy, holistic advertising campaign and new product launch trough challenging environment.
Tony Gay has built up 20 years of experience within the sports and health supplements industry and has worked for a number of global brands including Natrol, Cytosport and the retailer GNC. He joined Prinova in 2013 and over the last eight years has built out a technical sales division within the company. His role with Prinova includes management of specialist ingredients, NPD, sports nutrition, beverages, and wellness blends plus technical support.
Mike Hughes has over 13 years’ experience analysing consumer trends, attitudes and behaviours and currently heads up the research and insight division at FMCG Gurus. He has a particular interest in highlighting how consumer attitudes and behaviours can often differ and what the true meaning of trends are for the industry.
Thomas Li is the business development manager at IFF Health. Passionate about the health and nutrition world, specifically targeting supplements and sports nutrition, Li has knowledge and experience across all stages of the new product development process from ideation culminating in product on shelf. He has a bachelor’s in nutrition with a business focus from the University of Texas at Austin, and an MBA from Stevens Institute of Technology.
June Lin is global vice president of marketing for Health & Wellness at ADM, a global leader in human and animal nutrition and the world’s premier agricultural origination and processing company. Lin has extensive experience in identifying powerful consumer insights and transforming them into actionable opportunities, as well as leveraging market trends for successful brand growth. She joined ADM in 2020 with over 20 years of experience in brand marketing, strategy, and creative development across B2C and B2B planning.
Morgane Maillard is a food engineer specialized in nutrition (Agrosup Dijon, France). She has been working in the field of probiotics for 14 years. She is now responsible for the product management of the Lallemand Health Solutions’ probiotic strains portfolio dedicated to human health, with a specific focus on gut health, natural defenses, metabolism and infant nutrition. Maillard also previously took part in the development of yeast and bacteria-based ingredients for the food and dietary supplement markets. Her areas of expertise are probiotics, microbiome, nutrition, marketing, technical support, health ingredients, food supplements, and functional food.
Dominik Mattern is a marketing professional and nutrition scientist with the mission to help leaders grow and change their businesses. Today he is spearheading Marketing at Kappa Bioscience AS, the trusted partner delivering superior quality health solutions & thought leadership around vitamin K2. Mattern believes in the power of nutrition and the need to take a long-term view of our business and its consequences - ecological and societal. He is looking through a broad lens with a fine-tipped brush, studied food chemistry and has spent over 20 years in healthcare with clients to lead growth through marketing, innovation, and new technology. He has worn hats from R&D to sales, business development, innovation, global marketing, and strategy.
Dr Christina Mesch, PhD, is an experienced nutritional scientist. Since getting her doctorate at the Technical University of Munich, she has focused on one of the major challenges facing society—health and nutrition. She brings together science, innovation, and creativity to develop product solutions that pick up on emerging trends. She has worked as a product manager at SternVitamin since 2019.
Dr Volker Schehlmann is managing director at analyze & realize GmbH (a&r). He is an experienced senior innovation, marketing, and business development executive across the the consumer healthcare industries, with a focus on OTC, RX, medical devices, and dietary supplements. Dr Schehlmann held leadership roles in firms including BASF, DSM Nutritional Products, InQpharm Group and Aenova Group. He has experience in strategy development and execution, as well as cross-functional and cross-cultural team leadership.
Anna Szymanowska holds an MBA from London Business School and a master’s in industrial engineering and renewable energy. Her work at Airbus, Microsoft and as a management consultant fostered strong product development and sales skills. After seeing her colleagues drink ginger shots in Switzerland, Szymanowska decided to create her own recipes. Fighter Shots, a brand offering a range of all-natural health shots targeting immunity, fatigue, and overall wellbeing, currently retail in the UK and the UAE. Szymanowska is excited by the evolving relevance of health products and how her shots can positively and sustainably impact people’s lives.
Oliver Wolf has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and communication of collagen proteins. In the Global Marketing & Communication department at GELITA, he oversees exhibitions, events, public relations, and brand communication. Due to very close cooperation with product development, product marketing Wolf got comprehensive insights to the world of collagen proteins. This makes him an esteemed contact person for the media and other internal and external stakeholders.