Women in Nutraceuticals has announced the honourees of the first ever WIN awards, which was held in conjunction with SupplySide West.
The awards initiative is designed to celebrate the contributions and achievements of those in functional ingredients industry that are championing gender equity.
It also acknowledges those that are fundmental in driving innovation in the field, as well as those who act as great mentors and progress WIN's mission.
Each award category, according to WIN, reflects its core mission, which is to empower women while fostering an inclusive, supportive environment within the nutraceutical industry.
“When Women In Nutraceuticals decided to launch an awards programme, it was important to elevate those doing great work that supports our vision of achieving economic and social equality in the global nutraceutical industry,” said WIN President Heather Granato.
“There were so many fantastic nominees that it was a challenge for our awards committee to do the hard work and come up with the slate. It's a delight to showcase the time and commitment of these extraordinary women, as well as the work being done by NutraIngredients to elevate the dialogue around gender equality to help empower women personally and professionally.”
The award winners are:
WIN Champion Award: Danielle Masterson, editor at William Reed Business Media for NutraWomen Wednesday.
The WIN Champion Award honors a company or organisation that has set the gold standard for supporting and championing women in the nutraceuticals industry.
“This award means so much to me as a journalist. And as a woman. This recognition tells me that NutraWomen Wednesday has made an impact and that the stories from all these brave and inspiring women matter. NutraWomen Wednesday’s tagline is ‘Celebrating the women behind the wellness’ and that’s been our mission since the show launched on International Women’s Day 2021."
WIN Guiding Star Award: Dr Sybille Buchwald-Werner, Managing Director at Vital Solutions
The WIN Guiding Star Award celebrates an extraordinary individual of any gender who has been instrumental in mentoring and elevating women within the nutraceuticals industry.
“Receiving the Guiding Star Award from Women in Nutraceuticals (WIN) touches me deeply, not just as a recognition of my work, but as a profound affirmation that I am on the right path. This award symbolises that my engagement and passion are making a difference, supporting women to become strong, authentic and respectful leaders, strengthening our nutraceutical industry."
WIN Heroine Award: Gillian Fish, founder and CEO, the 6 AM Agency
The WIN Heroine Award is presented to an individual WIN member of any gender whose volunteer efforts have been especially significant, and materially contributed to advancing WIN’s mission.
“I am deeply humbled to receive the inaugural Women In Nutraceuticals Heroine Award. It has always been my life’s purpose to unlock human potential and pay it forward however I can – through my business or personal endeavours, just as I was championed and inspired by mentors, including my mothers, from early on in my career. Women In Nutraceuticals presents an exceptional opportunity for all across the supply chain, to lean in to an outstanding cause. As a collective, we can then learn from others and share knowledge for growth.”
WIN Research Pioneer Award: Dr Susan Kleiner, owner of High Performance Nutrition
The WIN Research Pioneer Award is presented to an individual of any gender or organisation that has made significant contributions to advancing research on nutraceutical products for women or furthering health/nutrition science for women.
“Among the global list of those who have contributed to this category, I am honored to be included among them, let alone be singled out for this award. My accomplishments have always rested on the shoulders of the scientists before me, the teachers who have dedicated their passion and knowledge to elevating their students, and to the colleagues who have partnered with me along the way to create a new and exciting field of nutrition and human performance.”
To see more details on the awards and their recipients, head to https://women-nutraceuticals.squarespace.com/2024-winners