Anchored in Evidence: A Trailblazer's Journey with Deshanie Rai

Cultivating Sustainability: Verdure Sciences’ Fifth Annual Sustainability Report

What does sustainability look like when it goes beyond buzzwords and becomes a long-term commitment to people, communities, and the environment? In this episode of Supplement Source, Jeff Ventura sits down with Ajay Patel, Founder and CEO of Verdure Sciences, and Isabella Bucklew, Sustainability Coordinator, to discuss the company’s fifth annual Sustainability Report. The conversation explores Verdure’s ongoing efforts to build resilient agricultural supply chains, support farming communities, and measure real-world environmental impact through data-driven initiatives.  Ajay and Isabella share updates on a major water rejuvenation project in India, community health programs serving hundreds of local villagers and farmers, and collaborative efforts to assess the carbon footprint of botanical ingredients. They also discuss the challenges of implementing sustainable agricultural practices, the importance of strong supplier relationships, and why transparency and measurable outcomes are critical in an era of increasing scrutiny around sustainability claims.  Tune in for an insightful discussion on how sustainability programs can create lasting value for communities, customers, and the dietary supplement industry. About the Council for Responsible Nutrition (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.

Anchored in Evidence: A Trailblazer's Journey with Deshanie Rai

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. More info: https://www.crnusa.org/trailblazer [https://www.crnusa.org/trailblazer] About the Council for Responsible Nutrition (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.

Supplements With Purpose: How Industry Leaders Are Expanding Nutrition Access Through the CRN Foundation Access Initiative

What happens when supplement manufacturers, charitable clinics, and healthcare logistics experts join forces to tackle nutrition inequity in America? In this episode of Supplement Source, CRN’s Jeff Ventura sits down with leaders from VitaQuest, Direct Relief, and the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) to discuss the rapid success of the CRN Foundation’s evolving Access Initiative. Together, the panel explores how a first-of-its-kind collaboration is delivering multivitamins directly to underserved communities through a scalable charitable distribution model. Guests Gregory Drew (VitaQuest), Katie Lewis (Direct Relief), and Ariana Gordillo (NAFC) discuss the overwhelming early demand for the program, the realities of food deserts and healthcare access gaps, and why preventive wellness tools like multivitamins can play a meaningful role in community health. The conversation also highlights how cross-sector partnerships, logistical infrastructure, and industry participation are helping transform charitable giving into sustainable health access. The episode offers a compelling look at how the supplement industry can move beyond conversation and create measurable impact—one clinic, one family, and one bottle at a time About the Council for Responsible Nutrition (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.

From NIH to Pennington: Dr. Stefan Pasiakos on Supplement Science

In this episode of Supplement Source, Jeff Ventura sits down with Dr. Stefan Pasiakos, a leading researcher now at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center and former NIH scientist, for a candid conversation about the science—and realities—behind dietary supplements. Drawing on his experience inside government research and now in the academic space, Dr. Pasiakos offers a balanced perspective on the supplement industry: where the science is strong, where gaps remain, and how researchers and industry can better align. He discusses the challenges of translating research into real-world health outcomes, the importance of context when evaluating evidence, and why—even without “perfect” science—the field continues to play a meaningful role in improving public health. The conversation also touches on his time working with CRN and other stakeholders, highlighting the productive (and sometimes complex) relationship between researchers and industry. It’s an honest, nuanced look at supplement science from someone who’s worked on both sides of the research ecosystem—and a reminder that progress in health rarely comes in absolutes. About the Council for Responsible Nutrition (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.

Integrating Supplements, Nutrition, and Care: A New Era for Whole-Person Health

In this episode of Supplement Source, Jeff Ventura sits down with Dr. Michelle Simon, President and CEO of the Institute for Natural Medicine, to explore the growing momentum behind whole-person health—and what it will take to bring it into the mainstream. Dr. Simon shares how INM is expanding its mission beyond naturopathic medicine to unify the broader traditional, complementary, and integrative health (TCIM) community under a single voice. At the center of that effort is a new collaboration with Georgetown University: a CME-accredited course designed to educate conventional healthcare providers on integrative approaches, from nutrition and supplements to lifestyle-based care. The conversation dives into the persistent knowledge gap among clinicians, the role industry can play in advancing credible research and quality standards, and the challenges practitioners face in navigating a fragmented supplement marketplace. Dr. Simon emphasizes the importance of practitioner guidance in helping patients cut through misinformation and make evidence-informed decisions. They also explore shifting consumer behavior—particularly among younger generations—who are increasingly seeking proactive, preventive health strategies rather than reactive treatments. From lifestyle changes to skepticism of traditional healthcare models, this cultural shift is fueling demand for a more holistic, root-cause approach to care. Ultimately, the episode highlights a critical inflection point in healthcare: bridging conventional and integrative medicine, investing in education and research, and redesigning systems to prioritize prevention and whole-person wellness. About the Council for Responsible Nutrition (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.