Four industry leaders will discuss big issues in formulating women’s health products at SupplySide East on April 18.

Why talk about formulating for women? Because we need to have this conversation more often.

Our industry may already be aware of an enormous disparity in clinical studies on women as compared to men. We may also know there are not enough studies dedicated to post- and peri-menopausal women, or pregnant women. We, collectively, however, aren’t doing enough about it.

Women are also underrepresented in leadership. According to the most recent “Women in the Workplace” study by LeanIn.Org and McKinsey & Company, “only 1 in 4 C-suite executives is a woman, and only 1 in 20 is a woman of color.” The lack of women in scientific studies and in leadership roles impacts the entire supply chain. In some cases, there just isn’t enough knowledge (or interest) in women’s particular health needs to move the needle.  

It's because of these issues the editorial teams of Natural Products Insider and Food and Beverage Insider have developed the SupplySide East session, “Formulating for Women: What’s Hot and What’s Not?” This session will take place Tuesday, April 18, at 1:30 p.m. Eastern time. We want to move the needle. Come be a part of it!

Related:Nonprofit aims to advance women leaders in nutraceuticals

(PS: All education sessions are included with your registration!)

Panel of experts at SupplySide East

The session is built of a panel of women in big positions from all parts of the supply chain. Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan, professor at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will represent the scientific community. Dr. Smith-Ryan has been a big voice for women in our industry and has helped numerous brands provide better products for their customers.

Sandra Lee is the CEO of NJ Labs. Sandra’s position and long tenure in our industry is a testament to her intelligence and passion. Sandra will bring her perspective on analytics and ingredient testing, as well as how the industry has changed over the years concerning women in leadership.

Karen Hecht, Ph.D., is the scientific affairs manager at AstaReal Inc. Her role is to advise on the science and applications of natural astaxanthin. On this panel, Karen will provide her expertise on ingredient sourcing and manufacturing and how that process can impact creating products for women.

Salma Fathalla is the senior director of quality and regulatory at JDS Therapeutics, Bonafide Health. Bonafide Health is a brand that creates natural products specifically for women’s needs states such as PMS or menopause. Salma’s role on this panel will be to speak to these health needs and how science and market data synthesize to produce efficacious products.

Related:What women want in the supplement aisle

We also want to acknowledge the great work that Women in Nutraceuticals (WIN) is doing for our industry in positioning conversations like this. We’re grateful for our partnership with WIN.