In this episode of Supplement Source, host Jeff Ventura sits down with Deshanie Rai, newly appointed Head of Global Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance at Kemin Industries, and 2025 recipient of the CRN Radicle Science Annette Dickinson Trailblazer Award. Deshanie reflects on what the award meant to her — a recognition of fearless leadership, innovation, and the courage to take risks. She shares candid insights from her unconventional career journey, from navigating challenges in South Africa to building her professional path in the United States from scratch, moving across scientific affairs, regulatory, quality assurance, advocacy, and beyond. Deshanie also offers advice to the next generation of industry professionals: stay anchored in evidence, think across disciplines, stay curious, and don't wait for permission to make your voice heard. As the 2026 award season kicks off, she passes the torch with both humility and inspiration.
