Honor Celebrates Visionary Leaders Breaking New Ground and Expanding What’s Possible in the Dietary Supplement and Functional Food Industry
APRIL 14, 2026
WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and Radicle Science today announced the call for nominations for the 2026 CRN / Radicle Science Annette Dickinson Trailblazer Award, recognizing visionary leaders who are redefining the future of the dietary supplement and functional food industry through bold innovation, scientific advancement, and meaningful impact.
Nominations will be accepted through May 30 via CRN’s platform accessible at www.crnusa.org/trailblazer.
The award honors the legacy of the late Annette Dickinson, Ph.D., who helped shape the modern dietary supplement industry as CRN’s first staff member in 1973. She later served as CRN’s president from 2002 to 2005 and remained an influential voice for science-based nutrition policy and responsible industry leadership throughout her career.
“The Trailblazer Award celebrates the type of leadership that moves an entire industry forward,” said Steve Mister, President & CEO of the Council for Responsible Nutrition. “Annette Dickinson dedicated her career to strengthening the scientific and regulatory foundations of our field, and this award recognizes individuals who are continuing that work—driving innovation while strengthening the credibility and trust that consumers expect.”
Radicle Science, an award-winning healthtech company pioneering a new standard of proven, precision wellness, partners with CRN on the award to spotlight leaders pushing the boundaries of what is possible for evidence-based wellness.
“Powering the future of precision wellness and shaping what comes next for consumers worldwide takes visionary thinking and committed action,” said Pelin Thorogood, co-founder and executive chair of Radicle Science. “The Annette Dickinson Trailblazer Award recognizes leaders who share a commitment to scientific rigor, product innovation, and the power of the collective to transform companies and industries.”
Building on CRN and Radicle Science’s two-year-strong collaboration recognizing emerging leaders in the industry, the award highlights individuals whose work is shaping the next chapter of responsible nutrition innovation.
Previous Trailblazer honorees include 2025 winner Deshaie Rai, Ph.D., and 2024 winner Yasmeen Nkrumah-Elie, Ph.D.
Any CRN voting member company employee is eligible for nomination.
A panel of judges will select five finalists from the nominations received based on criteria including:
- Leadership—Redefining influence through action, impact, and mentorship; spearheading initiatives that significantly enhance the landscape to develop others in executive, scientific, and leadership roles.
- Innovation—Catalyzing change through bold product, scientific, or strategic breakthroughs that address real consumer needs; shifting paradigms and moving the industry forward through disruptive ideas and bold execution.
- Advocacy—Advancing policies and mindsets that support innovation, public health, and industry accountability; igniting momentum, inspire action, and spark ripple effects that extend far beyond their own organizations.
Finalists will be announced in July, with a CRN member community vote to determine the winner. The 2026 recipient will be officially recognized during CONVERGENCE ‘26, part of CRN’s Signature Events taking place at the Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California, October 6–8.
Learn more about the CRN/Radicle Science Annette Dickinson Trailblazer Award at: www.crnusa.org/trailblazer
About CRN: The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), founded in 1973 and based in Washington, D.C., is the leading trade association representing the dietary supplement and functional food industry. Bringing together manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and service providers, CRN unites its member companies around a shared commitment to science, transparency, and responsible business practices—advancing a strong, credible marketplace that supports consumer health and industry growth.
In an increasingly complex regulatory and media environment, CRN serves as the industry’s front line—shaping science-based policy, defending market access, and countering misinformation. Through strategic advocacy, self-regulatory leadership, voluntary guidelines, and evidence-based communications, CRN ensures that responsible companies are recognized, protected, and positioned to innovate and compete. Learn more at crnusa.org and follow @CRN_Supplements on X and LinkedIn.
About Radicle Science: Named a “World Changing Idea” by Fast Company, Radicle Science is a healthtech company pioneering a new standard of proven, precision wellness. Through its award-winning Proof-as-a-Service platform—combining AI, consumer science and large-scale decentralized trials—Radicle delivers clinical-grade evidence and consumer insights with unprecedented speed and scale, at a fraction of the cost. Since its founding in 2021, Radicle Science has conducted placebo-controlled trials with nearly 100,000 Americans, more than the total enrolled in all FDA drug approval trials during the same period. Learn more at www.RadicleScience.com.