TUES | WED | THURS
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Agenda subject to change
TUESDAY | October 6 TOP
SciComms Connect
7:30 AM–6:00 PM
Registration Open
7:30–8:30 AM
Networking Breakfast
8:30–8:40 AM
Opening Remarks
Robert Sinnott, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer (Ret.) & Chief Scientific Fellow, USANA Health Sciences, Inc.; CRN SSAC Co-Chair
8:40–9:10 AM
Evidence-Based Supplementation in Women: Measuring Clinical Efficacy
Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd, Chief Medical Advisor, Nutrafol
Spotlight on Menopause: Bridging Scientific Discovery and Consumer-Centric Solutions
Segment introduced by: Kim Drabik, Senior Director, Corporate Affairs, Plexus Worldwide; CRN CMMOC Chair
9:10–9:40 AM
Phytoestrogens for Menopausal Symptoms: Promoting Brain Health while Protecting Breast Health
Roberta Brinton, Regents Professor and Director, Center for Innovation in Brain Science, University of Arizona
9:40–10:10 AM
The Science of Building Trust: What Six Years of Menopause Research Teaches Us About Effective Health Communication
Kate Jamieson, VP of Marketing and Ecommerce, Bonafide Health, LLC
10:10–10:30 AM
Coffee Break
Empowering Women’s Vitality Across the Lifespan
Segment introduced by: Robert Sinnott, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer (Ret.) & Chief Scientific Fellow, USANA Health Sciences, Inc.; CRN SSAC Co-Chair
10:30–11:00 AM
Metabolically Dynamic: Translating Women’s Physiology into Creative Nutrition Strategy
Dr. Madison Kackley, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University
11:00–11:30 AM
Advancing Women in Sports Through Strategic Partnerships
Kathryn Armstrong, Chief Scientific Officer, USANA Health Sciences, Inc.
11:30 AM–12:30 PM
Networking Lunch
Don’t Forget About Mom: Promoting Maternal Health Through Pregnancy and Beyond
Segment introduced by: Eric Ciappio, Ph.D., Senior Manager, Nutrition Science, Balchem; CRN SSAC Co-Chair
12:30–1:00 PM
Advancing Maternal Nutrition Education: Engaging Healthcare Practitioners, Brand Ambassadors, and Moms-to-Be
Ryan Woodbury, Co-founder and Co-CEO, Needed
1:00–1:30 PM
Nutrition for Maternal Health During Pregnancy and Beyond
Danielle Christifano, Associate Professor, Dietetics and Nutrition, University of Kansas Medical Center
1:30–2:00 PM
Moderated Discussion with All Speakers
Moderated by: Sonia Hartunian-Sowa, Ph.D., Head of Science, Translation & Advocacy, North America, dsm-firmenich
2:00–2:05 PM
Closing Remarks
Eric Ciappio, Sr Manager, Nutrition Science, Balchem
2:05–2:30 PM
Networking Break sponsored by Brassica Protection Products
Innovation Exchange
2:30–2:40 PM
Welcome Remarks
2:40–3:05 PM
Unlocking Higher-Dose Microalgal DHA for Maternal Health
Phillip Chea, Business Development Manager, and Sonia Hartunian-Sowa, Science, Translation and Advocacy, dsm-firmenich
3:05–3:30 PM
Beyond Bacteria: Advancing Fungal Probiotics with Pichia kluyveri PK88™
John Deaton, VP of Science & Technology, and Diane Alexander, VP of Sales, Biohm Technologies
3:30–3:55 PM
Reprogramming Sugar Metabolism: A GLP-1 Companion for Metabolic Health
Ankit Rathi, Director of Science, Specialty Enzymes & Probiotics
3:55–4:20 PM
LP299V®: Clinically Validated Probiotic Support for Athletic Performance, Iron Absorption, and Exercise-Related Gut Protection
Dr. Brandy Webb, Scientific Affairs Manager: Americas, and Bryan Gray, Senior Marketing Manager: Americas, Probi
4:20–4:35 PM
Networking Break
4:35–5:00 PM
Dose, Delivery, and Design: What Peer-Reviewed Pharmacokinetics Reveals About Clinical Evidence Standards for Botanical and Nutraceutical Ingredients
Dr. Shefali Thanawala, Asst. Vice President - Medical Sciences, and Anand Godbole, Sr. Vice President - Commercial & P&L, Nutriventia Private Limited
5:00–5:25 PM
Reframing Menopause: A Precision Probiotic Approach Targeting the Estrobolome
Jordi Riera, Chief Business Officer, Kaneka Probiotics
5:25–5:50 PM
OptiMSM & Performance in Female Athletes: Supporting Joint and Muscle Health During the Menstrual Cycle
Jessica Arnaly, Sr Marketing & Business Development, and Eric Ciappio, Sr Manager, Nutrition Science, Balchem
5:50–5:55 PM
Closing Remarks
7:00–9:00 PM
“Welcome to the Hotel California” Reception
WEDNESDAY | October 7 TOP
CONVERGENCE ’26
6:30–7:30 AM
Morning Yoga sponsored by K. Patel Phyto Extractions Pvt. Ltd
7:30 AM–6:00 PM
Registration Open
7:30–8:30 AM
Networking Breakfast sponsored by SupplySide Global by Informa
8:30–8:45 AM
Welcome & Introductions
Karen Todd, Vice President, Kyowa Hakko U.S.A., Inc.
8:45–9:45 AM
Supplement Priorities at FDA—A Fireside Chat with the Director of ODSP
Cara Welch, Director of the Office of Dietary Supplements, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Interviewed by: Andrea Wong, Ph.D., Senior Vice President & Chief Science Officer, Council for Responsible Nutrition
9:45–10:00 AM
CRN Chair’s Address
Bruce Brown, CEO, ReCellience15
10:00–10:15 AM
Topline Results for CRN’s Latest Consumer Research
Jeff Ventura, Vice President, Communications, Council for Responsible Nutrition
10:15–10:45 AM
Networking Break sponsored by Great HealthWorks
10:45–11:45 AM
The Impacts of Private Equity and CPG Buyouts on the Supplement Marketplace
David T. Thibodeau, Managing Director, Wellvest Capital; Jill Staib, Managing Director & Partner, William Hood & Company; Katie Butler, Head of US Zarbee's & Dietary Supplements, Kenvue/Zarbee's; and Harvey Kamil, Advisor, Piping Rock; Moderated by: Steve Mister, President & CEO, Council for Responsible Nutrition;
11:45–11:55 AM
CRN Business Meeting
Marc Rucker, Vice President, Finance & Administration, Council for Responsible Nutrition
11:55 AM–12:15 PM
CRN President’s Address
Steve Mister, President & CEO, Council for Responsible Nutrition
12:15–12:20 PM
CRN and Radicle Science Annette Dickinson Trailblazer Award
Pelin Thorogood, Co-Founder & Executive Chairwoman, Radicle Science; Gretchen Powers, Vice President, Marketing and Member Experience, Council for Responsible Nutrition
12:20–1:20 PM
Networking Lunch
1:20–2:10 PM
Persistent & Increasing Threats: The Rise of State Efforts to Regulate Dietary Supplements
Rend Al-Mondhiry, Partner, Amin Wasserman Gurnani; Erin Raden, Senior Director, State Affairs, Consumer Brands Association; Anthony Samson, President, Samson Advisors; Moderated by Michael Meirovitz, Senior Director, Government Relations, Council for Responsible Nutrition.
2:10–2:30 PM
Networking Break sponsored by Global Retailer and Manufacturer Alliance (GRMA)
2:30–3:30 PM
View From the Corner Office
Ryan Woodbury, Co-founder and Co-CEO, Needed; Andrew LaBarbera, CEO, Great HealthWorks; Tony Talalay, CEO & Co-Founder, Brassica Protection Products LLC; Moderated by: Gretchen Powers, Vice President, Marketing and Member Experience, Council for Responsible Nutrition
3:30–4:30 PM
AI and the Productivity Paradox: Are We Really Getting Ahead?
Kelly Monahan, Future of Work Expert, Former Research Executive at Meta, Upwork, Accenture, Deloitte
4:30–4:35 PM
Announcements & Adjourn for the Day
6:30–9:00 PM
“Surf City USA” Reception sponsored by Kenvue
THURSDAY | October 8 TOP
CONVERGENCE ’26
6:15–7:30 AM
Fun Run/Walk
7:30–10:30 AM
Registration Open
7:30–8:30 AM
Networking Breakfast sponsored by Eurofins
8:30–8:40 AM
Welcome Back & Announcements
8:40–9:40 AM
Understanding the Political Climate We Operate In
Jonathan Martin, Politics Bureau Chief and Senior Political Columnist, POLITICO
9:40–10:20 AM
NIH’s Make America Healthy Again Strategy
Andrew Bremer, Acting Director of ODS, National Institutes of Health
10:20–10:25 AM
Conference Adjourns
11:00 AM–2:00 PM
Golf Tournament
All times are Pacific Time. Schedule subject to change.