WASHINGTON – The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and Radicle Science have announced the five finalists for the 2025 Annette Dickinson Trailblazer Award, which recognizes leaders advancing credible science, innovation, and impact across the health and nutrition industry.
The finalists are:
- Mike Finamore, CEO of Gemini Pharmaceuticals, Inc., known for science-backed and green product initiatives and serving as president of the Governance Board of the Global Retailer & Manufacturer Alliance.
- Nora Khaldi, Ph.D., founder and CEO of Nuritas, leveraging AI and genomics to discover bioactive ingredients from natural sources to improve health globally.
- Tatiana Miranda-Abaunza, senior QA Manager-GMP Audits at Unilever Wellbeing, partnering with dietary supplement businesses to ensure GMP compliance while serving as a certified auditor and instructor in food safety.
- Deshanie Rai, Ph.D., vice president of Global Science, Regulatory and Advocacy at OmniActive Health Technologies, leading science-driven product development in areas including immune and eye health for over 20 years.
- Karen Todd, R.D., vice president of global brand marketing at Kyowa Hakko, known for her “Myth Busting” series and efforts to translate complex science into actionable insights for consumers.
“The depth and diversity of this year’s nominees were truly inspiring, making the selection process both difficult and deeply rewarding,” said Pelin Thorogood, co-founder and executive chair of Radicle Science. “These five finalists embody the spirit of the Annette Dickinson Trailblazer Award.”
“The nominees this year were outstanding, reflecting the pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit of trailblazers, leaders that go above and beyond to impact not only their individual organizations, but also our global industry,” said last year’s Trailblazer honoree Yasmeen Nkrumah-Elie, Ph.D., senior global director of R&D for external research for ChromaDex, Inc., a Niagen Bioscience company, who served on this year’s judging panel. “The thoughtful recognition these individuals received from their peers is well-deserved, and the five finalists reflect perseverance, mentorship, and innovation.”
“The judging process required careful consideration and close review of the array of impressive nominations received,” said Gretchen Powers, CRN vice president, marketing and member experience. “The finalists selected stood out for their depth of engagement, strategic vision, and respect they’ve earned in the CRN member community and the broader industry, as well.”
CRN members are invited to cast their vote to name a 2025 honoree, which will be announced at CRN’s CONVERGENCE ’25 event, taking place Oct. 8–10 at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. Voting will be open through Aug. 6.
Further details about the award and finalists are available at crnusa.org/trailblazer.
