Finalists Announced for 2025 CRN/Radicle Science Annette Dickinson Trailblazer Award

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and Radicle Science announced five finalists for their 2025 Annette Dickinson Trailblazer Award. The award honors professionals who are “disrupting the status quo, breaking new ground, and helping lead the industry forward through innovation, advocacy, and mentorship,” CRN said.

Members of CRN will conduct the final vote during Convergence ’25, the association’s annual series of events, which takes place at the Ritz-Carlton in St. Louis, Oct. 8-10.

The finalists include:

• Mike Finamore, CEO of Gemini Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in science-backed and green product initiatives. He is also the president of the governance board of the Global Retailer and Manufacturer Alliance (GRMA) among other roles.
• Nora Khaldi, PhD, founder and CEO of Nuritas, a company that specializes in peptides discovered through AI, deep learning, and genomics.
• Tatiana Miranda Abaunza, senior QA manager of GMP audits at Unilever Wellbeing. She partners with dietary supplement businesses to conduct GMP audits to ensure suppliers’ compliance. She is an ASQ-certified food safety and quality auditor, a PCQI 2.0 lead instructor, and an HACCP trainer with the HACCP Alliance.
• Deshanie Rai, PhD, vice president of global science, regulatory affairs, and advocacy at OmniActive Health Technologies. For 20 years, she has led product development in immune health, allergy management, eye health, and gut health categories.
• Karen Todd, vice president of global brand marketing for Kyowa Hakko. There, she leads marketing efforts for the company’s portfolio of ingredients. She debunks misinformation and builds consumer trust through her “Myth Busting” series and through “The Supplement Dietitian Platform” to make complex science relatable and actionable.

“The depth and diversity of this year’s nominees were truly inspiring, making the selection process both difficult and deeply rewarding. These five finalists embody the very spirit of the Annette Dickinson Trailblazer Award, courageously transforming wellness through credible science, meaningful innovation, bold action and a clear commitment to impact,” said Pelin Thorogood, co-founder and executive chair of Radicle Science. “It’s a privilege to celebrate their work and honor the example they set for our industry.”

“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 Yasmeen Nkrumah-Elie, PhD, senior global director of R&D for ChromaDex, Inc. Nkrumah-Elie was last year’s Trailblazer award recipient and 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, vice president of marketing and member experience at CRN. “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.”