New roles are focused on promoting operational excellence, accelerating digital transformation and expanding science-backed product portfolios, with companies turning to industry veterans, promoting from within and welcoming back former hires to fuel performance and innovation.
Below a look at some of the recent comings and goings impacting the dietary supplement industry.
Steven Yeager, an employee of Mountain Rose Herbs for 18 years, was promoted from vice president of quality and regulatory affairs to executive vice president. In addition to his work at the company, Yeager has been working with plants for the last 30 years as an herbal educator and former co-owner of the Columbines School of Botanical Studies. In this role, he will now not only direct quality control, laboratory operations and regulatory compliance but the larger strategic planning of Mountain Rose Herbs.
“I’m honored and grateful for this opportunity and look forward to helping drive the continued success of Mountain Rose Herbs, while ensuring we provide the highest quality products to our customers,” Yeager said upon accepting the position.
Juan Robledo joined global online retailer iHerb as general manager for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Reporting directly to CEO Emun Zabihi. Based in UAE, Robledo will lead iHerb’s regional strategy and operations as the company strengthens its presence in one of its priority growth markets. He most recently served as general manager for Amazon Middle East, and prior to that, was CEO of Office Depot Spain. His appointment coincides with iHerb’s expansion of its Riyadh, Saudi Arabia fulfillment center, established to improve convenience and service for its MENA customers.
As the new president of Kyowa Hakko Bio Italia (KHIT), Kyowa’s central commercial hub for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Nicola Urso is charged with advancing the company’s health science growth strategy, particularly for its Cognizin-branded citicoline ingredient. With 25 years of experience within the organization, Urso will now spearhead KHIT’s strategic priorities, which include expanding into key markets, accelerating digital transformation and continuing to invest in the next generation of scientific and commercial leaders. These efforts are supported by new scientific marketing function headed by Eri Nakazaki, senior manager, head of scientific marketing and business development at KHIT.
The Vitamin Shoppe appointed Kate Vukelich as executive vice president and chief people officer. In this role, Vukelich is responsible for overseeing human resources strategy and operations, including talent acquisition and development, organizational culture and associate engagement across The Vitamin Shoppe stores, distribution centers and corporate support center. She most recently served as chief revenue and chief people officer at fashion company Everlane and worked in a range of senior leadership roles during her 12-year career at Walmart.
“As The Vitamin Shoppe embarks on an impactful new phase of growth and transformation, Kate will be a true strategic partner in shaping a people-first culture that fuels innovation, engagement, and performance,” said Sharon Leite, chief executive officer of The Vitamin Shoppe.
Soon after, the retailer announced two more executive appointments to continue to strengthen its leadership team, naming Monika Grabania as vice president of digital marketing and Erica Evans as vice president of inventory planning.
“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,” Leite said. “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.”
Metagenics named Patrick Sly as chief executive officer to lead the company’s next chapter of growth. Pat Smallcombe, who served as president and CEO since 2023, will transition to the role of co-chair of the board. Most recently, Sly served as global president of Reckitt’s $8 billion consumer health division and its $3 billion nutrition business.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Metagenics at such an exciting time,” Sly said. “The professional segment of the supplements category has tremendous growth potential, and Metagenics’ outstanding brand and clinically tested product line position the company for continued success.”
Doctor’s Best Inc. appointed Nate Challen as president to drive the company’s strategic growth initiatives in the supplement space. Challen spent more than a decade at Sanofi Consumer Health, where he held leadership roles across North America and Europe, including serving as general manager in Canada and head of commercial transformation globally. Prior to Sanofi, he oversaw brand development at Johnson & Johnson and holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School and a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University.
“Nate brings exactly what we need at this stage—deep digital expertise combined with a proven ability to scale consumer health brands while maintaining product integrity,” said Gale Bensussen, CEO of Doctor’s Best. “His track record in transforming how established brands connect with modern consumers aligns perfectly with our growth strategy.”
Thomas Helge Hansen rejoined GC Rieber VivoMega to lead its North American sales activities. He brings over 20 years of experience in the omega-3 and dietary supplements industry, including extensive knowledge of soft gel production, sourcing and high-concentrate omega-3 formulations. He has held roles spanning production management, purchasing, sales and business development. Hansen’s return comes as GC Rieber VivoMega celebrates its 60th anniversary and continues expanding its VivoMega portfolio.
Sylvie Binda, vice president of research and development at Lallemand Health Solutions has been appointed to the scientific council of the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE) for a five-year term. The newly formed council brings together 15 distinguished members from the international academic, economic and scientific communities to guide INRAE’s strategic research directions. A microbiologist by training, Binda has played a pivotal role in advancing research and innovation in probiotics, microbiome science and nutrition. Her contributions extend beyond Lallemand through active participation in scientific associations and collaborative initiatives shaping the future of microbiome health. The appointment underscores INRAE’s commitment to fostering dialogue between academia and industry and promoting an interdisciplinary approach to address agricultural, food and environmental challenges.
Ingredients By Nature (IBN) named Doug Lynch, CEO and founder of Marketwell Nutrition Inc., as the company’s commercial sales lead to manage marketing, sales and business development. In this role, he will also investigate and obtain novel, clinically backed ingredients and technologies from university pipelines, in addition to growing the company into other markets such as diagnostic testing and finished product medical foods.
Barbara Davis, PhD, RD joined NemaLife as head of scientific & regulatory affairs to lead clinical strategy and execution, regulatory pathways and claims substantiation as part of what the company calls its NemaLife 2.0 transformation. Dr. Davis has previously worked with Nufarm Nutritional, Phynova Group, PLT Health Solutions, HealthFocus International and Danone.
Mohammed “Mo” Hussain joined Sabinsa as vice president of strategic affairs. With over two decades of experience in operations, product development and strategic planning across the CPG industry, Hussain will focus on supporting Sabinsa’s continued growth trajectory and strengthening operational frameworks across international markets. His approach focuses on building strong internal capabilities rather than relying on external solutions.
“Mo’s extensive experience in leading cross-functional teams and his strategic growth mindset will be invaluable as we continue expanding Sabinsa’s global operations,” said Shaheen Majeed, global CEO and managing director of Sabinsa. “His demonstrated expertise of driving operational excellence, improving margins and cultivating organizational talent from within make him a valuable asset to our senior management team.”
Dafna Cohen-Asher joined Lycored as chief executive officer. She joined Lycored’s parent company ADAMA in 2017 and most recently served as the company’s head of corporate development, leading major international acquisitions in Peru, Greece, the United States and other markets. Prior to joining ADAMA, she served as senior director of business development at Teva Pharmaceuticals. In her new role, she will be responsible for shaping and executing Lycored’s growth strategy, strengthening its global sales and marketing network and strengthening global customer partnerships, while overseeing the company’s teams in Israel, the United States and Europe.
Global contract manufacturer and supplier of nutritional supplements Chrysalis Health appointed Jimi Barnett as business development and innovation director to guide innovation and drive sales for solid dose supplement formats including capsules, tablets and powders.
NOW Health Group announced the hiring of Todd DeRoo as chief operations officer. In this role, he will be responsible for leading all NHG-US manufacturing, distribution, supply chain and engineering functions. He most recently held the position of vice president of operations at Perrigo, managing the company’s OTC and oral care business units, along with U.S. distribution and transportation.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced five new agency appointments in November to advance MAHA goals. These include urologist Brian Christine, MD, as assistant secretary for health, Alex J. Adams, PharmD, MPH as assistant secretary for family support, administration for children and families, attorney Gustav Chiarello as assistant secretary financial resources, former United States Attorney Michael Stuart as general counsel and Alicia Jackson, Ph.D., founder of women’s health and longevity company Evernow, as director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H).
“I promised President Trump I would deliver meaningful reform at HHS and improve the health and well-being of every American,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “Fulfilling that commitment includes placing strong, capable leaders where they can make the greatest impact. Each of these appointees brings a record of achievement, leadership and a deep dedication to restoring the nation’s health and wellness.”
In December, Secretary Kennedy swore in Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham as principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As CDC Principal Deputy Director, he will help realign the agency with its mission as America’s frontline defender against infectious disease, HHS stated in a press release.
Dr. Abraham graduated from the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, practicing for 10 years before earning his M.D. from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine to practice family medicine. From 2015 to 2021, Dr. Abraham represented Louisiana’s fifth congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served on the House Armed Services Committee, Committee on Agriculture and Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
As Surgeon General of Louisiana, he was charged with crafting health policy, advocating for disease prevention, and coordinating with state agencies to improve health outcomes in Louisiana. He has also volunteered for humanitarian missions in Afghanistan, Haiti, Africa and the Amazon rainforest.