Elizabeth Thundow is Vice President of Consulting, Food & Nutrition Ingredients at Kline & Company, leading global advisory engagements across nutraceuticals, functional ingredients, and health-focused food sectors. With nearly two decades of experience in the health and nutrition industry, she is a recognized expert in market intelligence, ingredient innovation—including collagen and probiotics—and strategic growth initiatives such as market entry and M&A. 

A respected thought leader, speaker, and author, Elizabeth is known for guiding companies through evolving consumer and regulatory landscapes by translating complex, data-driven insights into practical strategies, offering clear and actionable perspectives on functional foods, clean-label solutions, and sustainable innovation.

Dr. Neerja Hajela is a leading expert in probiotics, gut health, and regulatory science with over 20 years of experience in the nutrition and nutraceutical industry. She currently serves as Head of Science and Regulatory Affairs at Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd. and is the General Secretary of the Gut Microbiota and Probiotic Science Foundation (India). 

She holds key advisory positions as a Scientific Committee Member of the Probiotic Association of India, Governing Council Member at the ILSI India Knowledge Centre for Functional Foods, Immunity and Gut Health, and India Representative to the Asian Federation of Societies for Lactic Acid Bacteria. 

Her professional journey includes leadership roles at Ranbaxy Laboratories, Biotech Consortium India Limited, Yakult, and Danone India, and her work is driven by a strong commitment to advancing evidence-based science in probiotics, functional foods, nutraceuticals, and gut health to improve public health outcomes in India.

Olaf is a life sciences professional with extensive expertise in intestinal health, nutrition, probiotics, and One Health innovation, spanning industry leadership, academic research, and strategic consultancy. He currently serves as Research Manager at Ausnutria, where he leads and supports research initiatives aimed at advancing evidence-based nutrition and health solutions. In parallel, he is the Founder of Health2Value, a Life & Sciences consultancy focused on translating scientific knowledge into meaningful health and business impact. 

Also, he is an Assistant Professor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (Athena Institute). Previously, Olaf dedicated 13 years to Yakult Nederland, progressing from Science Manager to Senior Manager Science and Management Team Member. During this period, he was responsible for initiating and overseeing clinical trials, establishing and managing national and international research collaborations, and leading science communication with healthcare professionals. His work consistently focused on bridging rigorous scientific research with practical application, strengthening the scientific credibility and impact of nutrition and probiotic innovations.

Vincent is Senior Adviser for Ocean at United Nations Global Compact.  After 20 years experience in Food systems, Vincent led in 2020 for United Nations, the “Seaweed Manifesto”  and in 2024 the plankton Manifesto in a call to advance science on low tropic ocean ecosystems to support addressing the triple planetary crises. In 2021 Vincent co-founded the Global Seaweed Coalition (1st global platform of seaweed stakeholders, 2 000 + members worldwide). 

In 2023, Vincent released “The Seaweed Revolution” (Legend Times), now a reference book on seaweed, awarded best environmental book of the year, adapted in comic & children book and translated in many languages. His new book on plankton is set to release in english early 2026 (Legend Times).

Sheela Krishnaswamy, RD is one of India’s leading voices in nutrition and wellness, with over 40 years of experience across clinical practice, corporate wellness, academia, and strategic advisory roles. Trained in India and overseas, she is a pioneer of corporate nutrition consulting in India and the first dietitian invited as a Nutrition Consultant to Buddhist Monasteries.

She currently serves as Strategic Advisor – Nutrition & Wellness at Thinking Forks, Adjunct Faculty at the Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, Manipal, and Nutrition Consultant to GELUK International Foundation. She is also a Scientific Council Member at GOOD MONK, Advisory Board Member at Lifestyle Medicine India, and consultant to leading brands including Wholsum Foods (Slurrp Farm & Mille) and the Almond Board of California.

A former National President of the Indian Dietetic Association and Board Member of the International Confederation of Dietetic Associations, she has authored articles and book chapters, including Lifestyle as Medicine, and continues to be a highly respected speaker shaping evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle medicine.

Ranjitha Balakrishnan is a dedicated, dynamic, and passionate professional with over 16 years of experience in the Health, Wellness & Fitness industry. Her expertise lies in the Nutraceutical sector, where she has made significant contributions in various areas such as Business Development, Strategic Initiatives, New Product Ideation & Development, Certifications, In-licensing, and Regulatory Compliances. Throughout her career, Ranjitha has successfully launched a variety of Nutraceutical Products, from initial ideation to full-scale commercialization, collaborating with pharmaceutical and nutraceutical companies across India. 

Her specialization includes Business Development, In-Licensing, Regulatory and Technical Compliances, Dossier development, Client Relationship Management, and Market Research for Nutraceuticals, Health & Dietary Supplements, and Probiotics. Notably, Ranjitha recently achieved a significant milestone by introducing products certified by Informed Sports, the apex certification for product quality and safety, for the first time in India. She has also excelled in expanding Modern Trade channels for Nutraceutical Products, including Wellness Forever, Nature's Basket, Reliance Fresh, and others. 

She is actively involved in the development of 'The Ultimate Compendium of Nutraceuticals,' set to launch later this month. She played a crucial role in organizing the knowledge session at Vitafoods India 2023. She serves on the Board of Studies at SIES College for Masters in Food Technology & Nutraceuticals, a leading life sciences institution, where she designed the curriculum too.  She has been invited as speaker at multiple forums like Nutrition India Summit, FFWS, Nutrithink Conferences, Different Colleges, Functional Beverages Market and many others 

Dr. Vidya R. Sridhar is an accomplished Food Scientist with over 20 years of international experience spanning R&D, product innovation, and regulatory compliance in the food, beverage, and nutraceutical industries. Currently serving as Senior Manager – Food Design at Amway, she leads the development of science-backed supplements in diverse formats including powdered nutrition drinks, gummies, and nutrition bars—many of which are tailored for the Southeast Asian market.

A recognized expert in protein systems, botanical actives, and sugar-free formulations, Dr. Vidya has developed novel platforms for high-protein, reduced-sugar products across powder and gummy formats. She has multiple patent-pending innovations in the gummy space and has authored technical pieces in industry forums such as the PFNDAI newsletter. Her deep understanding of ingredient interactions—from plant proteins and post-biotics to sweeteners and antioxidants—has led to successful product launches that combine efficacy with consumer appeal.

Dr. Vidya has also led formulation and application development across dairy, bakery, beverages, extruded snacks, and meat analogues, and has worked closely with regulatory, clinical, and procurement teams to translate scientific concepts into commercially viable products. With a Ph.D. in Food Science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and a global career that includes leadership roles at Amway, PepsiCo, AVT Natural, and CavinKare, she brings both depth and versatility to the science of food innovation.

Dr. Rachana Bhoite has over 20 years of work experience in FMCG, Nutrition & Nutraceutical industry. She is currently Heading Nutrition Science and Clinical research for Nutrition & Nutraceutical business of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. she is working on developing strategic new product pipeline for India & Emerging markets. She has been instrumental in developing and launching nutritional products in diabetes management and other line extensions for dialysis patients, liver patients, cancer patients and many more. She has also conducted path breaking clinicals for these products and is leading the clinical research in nutraceutical space. She is also involved in conducting real world evidence studies. Dr. Rachana Bhoite has earlier worked with GSK consumer health care as Senior Scientist, where she has worked on developing products for diabetic subjects. She has worked in PepsiCo and handled the Quaker and Tropicana portfolio. She has also worked with Government of Gujarat on Anemia control project. She has authored multiple book chapters along with publications in National and International journals.  Her core specialization area includes nutritional and nutraceutical product designing, Nutritional profiling, Innovation in claims, Product development and Nutritional clinical. She has received multiple awards like the Best scientist award, Dr. Anji Reddy Chairman’s Excellence Award etc. She has done her P.hD from Foods and Nutrition Department of M.S.University, Baroda.

Dr. Narendra Tripathi has 25 years’ experience in Quality, Food Safety and Regulatory Affairs. He has worked with organizations like Wal-Mart India Pvt.Ltd, Reliance Retail Limited, Dabur India Limited, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt.Ltd, Tirupati Wellness Private Limited ,Zeon Lifesciences Limited, Dabur Ayurvet Limited In current role he is carrying the responsibilities of “Asstt.Vice President Quality-Food Safety  & Regulatory Affairs  at Bacfo Pharmaceuticals India  Limited  (Unit of AKC Group). He  has experience  in the  aspects of Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Food Safety , International systems ( ISO 22000, ISO 9001,NSF  HACCP,PAS 220(ISO 22002-1),FSSC 22000,( GFSI) BRC ( British Retail Consortium ),Food Safety Standards Act & Regulation(FSSAR-2006, 2011, 2018),The Legal Metrology Act -2009 and The Legal Metrology Packaged and Commodities rules 2011,The Environment (Protection )act 1986 & Rules-1986,  He has expertization in Food safety risk assessment across supply chain, Commercialization of new products, design/implementation of Prerequisite programs (PRPs), establishment of Good manufacturing practice, (GMP) across food manufacturing units, third-party sites & distribution channel

• Member: Quality Council of India (QCI), ReChan(Resource Centre of Health Supplements & Nutraceuticals( CII), FOSTAC-FSSAI (NLRP): National Level Resource Person), Codex  working group EGW,  FSSAI : Regulatory Task force “Guidance Documents  Nutraceutical & Health Supplements, FSSAI –Schedule IV Part-II “ HADSA(Health Food & Dietary Supplement Association ), National Council  on Wellness ( NCW)- ASSOCHAM , AOAC- International   Association), All India Food Processor Association ( AIFPA)

Dr. N. Tejo Prakash is a Professor at the School of Energy and Environment, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, India. He is also designated as a distinguished professor, by AICTE, Govt. of India. During his 28 years of association with Thapar Institute, he has guided numerous Ph.D. and Master’s theses and held key academic leadership roles, including Dean, Research and Development. He holds a Ph.D. from Pondicherry University and has pursued postdoctoral research in Israel, the UK, and the USA. With over three decades of research experience, Dr. Prakash has made significant contributions to environmental biotechnology, particularly in selenium biotransformation, nanoparticle biosynthesis, and selenium biofortification in crops. He has led several national and international research projects funded by agencies such as DBT, CSIR, BRNS, and DST-JSPS. His research collaborations span Japan, the USA, Russia, and Italy, reflecting his research engagements in selenium and environmental science.

Dr. Sharvari Rohan Desai is a PhD-qualified nutrition scientist specializing in clinical nutrition, nutraceutical research, metabolic health, and sleep science. She serves as a Principal Investigator on internationally funded randomized controlled trials and has been associated with projects supported by the California Almond Board, focusing on dietary interventions and cardiometabolic risk. With over a decade of experience in teaching and research, Dr. Desai has taught nutritional biochemistry and clinical nutrition at SNDT Women’s University and affiliated institutions. Her research interests include obesity, insulin resistance, inflammation, sleep quality, and functional foods, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based traditional and modern dietary approaches. Dr. Desai has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications in national and international journals and has presented her work at prestigious forums, including the European Respiratory Society Congress. She is actively involved in mentoring postgraduate students and advancing translational nutrition research in India.

Nutraceutical Man of India

Mr. Sandeep Gupta, popularly known as the Passion Man, is a globally recognized Nutraceutical Evangelist, Strategist, Influencer, Global Speaker, Panelist, Executive Coach, and mentor with over three decades of leadership in the Nutrition and Nutraceutical industry. A pharmaceutical graduate with an MBA, he is a Distinguished Member of Leadership Excellence at Harvard Square, USA. He has been mentored by John Mattone, renowned executive coach to Steve Jobs, and is a certified Intelligent Leadership Coach with deep expertise in Self-Leadership, Servant Leadership, and Intelligent Leadership practices. His enduring passion lies in mentoring young professionals early in their careers, guided by his philosophy: “Catch Them Young, Catch Them with Passion.”

With more than 30 years of industry experience, Mr. Gupta has led and pioneered innovation by launching over 1,200 nutraceutical products and evaluating more than 2,000 ingredients globally. He has been instrumental in introducing several critical nutraceutical ingredients to India, including Omega-3, Coenzyme Q10, Collagen, Tocotrienols, Glutathione, Astaxanthin, Evening Primrose Oil, L-Arginine, Green-Lipped Mussel Oil, HMOs, and other high-potential nutraceuticals that have positively impacted public health. He works closely with over 150 global experts and maintains a strong network of more than 250 leading Indian and international companies, making him a trusted authority in the sector.

A committed industry leader, Mr. Gupta has actively contributed to policy reforms and regulatory advancements in close collaboration with FSSAI, NIN, ICMR, and various government ministries. He played a pivotal role in the drafting and implementation of India’s Nutraceutical Regulations in 2016, including TUL frameworks. His advocacy helped secure an 18% GST rate for nutraceuticals during GST rollout, with continued representation for further rationalization. He has also contributed significantly to establishing export clarity, supporting India’s emergence as a fast-growing global nutraceutical exporter.

Mr. Gupta is the Founder and Director of ENAC® (Expert Nutraceutical Advocacy Council), leading over 150 experts across specialized global committees. He has launched nutraceutical education programs in leading life science institutes and champions initiatives aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat. A former Vice Chairman (Nutraceuticals) at IDMA, Chairman of CoSGM, and National Task Force member at CII and FICCI, he continues to shape the industry through education, innovation, and ethical leadership—driven by his core purpose of creating harmony and sustainable growth in the nutraceutical ecosystem.

Dr. Vivek Srivastav serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for B2B and CRDMO operations at Multani Pharmaceuticals Ltd., a prominent Ayurvedic and Wellness Company. With over 18 years of experience, Dr. Srivastav's expertise encompasses Business Strategy and Commercialization, Regulatory Navigation, Product Innovation, Market Expansion, and overall Capacity Building in the fields of Nutrition and Ayurveda, along with his recent ventures into Animal Nutrition and Cosmetics. He currently chairs the Nutraceutical Task Force at the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI)
 
In his previous roles, he has worked with esteemed organizations such as FRESENIUS Kabi, ZEON Lifesciences, AKUMS, ESPERER ONCO Nutrition, and MAHARISHI Ayurveda, holding various positions and managing a range of functions. Dr. Srivastav has spent 10 years in leadership roles, with experience in both B2B and B2C sectors, successfully commercializing over 130 products (B2B and B2C) across diverse categories including Enteral Nutrition, Supplements for Special Dietary Use, Sports Nutrition, General Wellbeing, Ayurvedic Proprietary Medicine, and Animal Nutrition in various formats for both domestic and international markets.
 
An alumnus of IIM Indore, Dr. Srivastav has a strong academic background, holding a Doctorate in Phytonutrients from CSIR and a Master's in Alternative Medicine, along with a Fellowship program conducted by Medvarsity in collaboration with UNSW, Australia. He has also pursued further certifications in Regulatory Affairs and Medical Nutrition. Dr. Srivastav has published over 70 reviewed articles and write-ups in health magazines, press releases, and online blogs, in addition to contributing chapters to Clinical Nutrition manuals and periodicals.
 
Recently, he was honoured as the Visionary Leader of the Year in Nutraceuticals and Wellness at the Atal Samman Samaroh 2026 in New Delhi, recognizing his significant contributions to the sector, alongside previous awards and accolades from institutions such as Dr. D Y Patil University, DPSRU-Delhi, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, NIPER-Mohali, University of Mysore, and The Brainalytics. He has been actively involved in the industry, demonstrating a commitment to excellence and innovation.

Dr. Kejal is a Nutrition scientist with over 17+ years of experience working in the FMCG sector as well as in academia, research organisations, developmental sector and hospitals. Her professional focus has been on comprehending the complex interaction between nutrition and food across different target populations. 

After gaining a solid foundation in clinical and public health nutrition at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Dr. Kejal obtained her Ph.D. in Foods and Nutrition. Her early work concentrated on maternal and child health nutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, salt fortification, and industry advocacy initiatives. Since then, it has expanded to Food fortification and facets of public health nutrition. 

Dr. Kejal has actively contributed to the scientific community through her participation in numerous national and international forums. She is frequently invited as an expert speaker, moderator, and panellist, where she shares insights on nutrition science, food innovation, and public health. Her commitment to advancing nutritional knowledge is further reflected in her publications across esteemed peer‑reviewed journals.

In her current role as Nutrition Manager at Foods R&D, Marico Ltd., she spearheads nutrition science and research initiatives across the company’s foods and edible oils portfolio. Her work supports and strengthens flagship brands such as Saffola, True Elements, and PLix, ensuring that product innovation is firmly rooted in scientific credibility and consumer well-being.

Dr. Pirthi Pal Singh is the President & Head of R&D at Tirupati Group, India with over 23 years of experience in complex and innovative product development. Renowned for his ability to blend scientific rigor with business foresight, Dr. Singh has been instrumental in shaping sustainable R&D-driven growth through innovation, collaborative cross-functional leadership, and robust portfolio strategy.
Dr. Singh is a member of the Expert Working Group on Fixed Dose Combinations under the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
He holds a Master’s and Doctorate from ICT-Mumbai, and has an impressive record of patents, peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and scientific presentations. His contributions have been widely recognized through numerous accolades, including the Elevator’s Pitch Award at the Young Entrepreneur Scheme, UK; the Top Pharma Innovation Award by Pharma Gorilla (2019); Excellence in R&D Leadership by Asia Labex (2024); and dual honors from Express Pharma — the Rising Star Award (2018) and the Leadership Award (2024).

Mr. Dhruva Joshi is a seasoned pharmaceutical marketing professional with over 28 years of experience across sales, marketing, and product management. He holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy from KLE’s College of Pharmacy and a full-time MBA in Marketing and Production from IMER, Belgaum.

He began his career through campus placements at Cipla, with early exposure at Lundbeck, and has been associated with Fresenius Kabi since 2003, where he has built a distinguished 21-year career. Over the years, he has progressed through roles including Sales and Marketing Executive, Assistant Product Manager, Product Manager, Senior Product Manager, Key Account Manager, Group Key Account Manager, and Group Product Manager.

Currently, he serves as Marketing Manager – Business Unit: Parenteral Nutrition, where he leads strategic marketing initiatives and drives growth in critical care nutrition solutions.

Gaagan (Gg) is the Founder and Architect of Plant-Based Health Intellectual Capital Ecosystems, a visionary approach that transcends conventional product development. Rather than creating isolated wellness offerings, Gg designs end-to-end intellectual capital systems that serve as the foundation for defensible, scalable healthcare platforms.

A botanist by training and a dedicated connoisseur of tea and coffee, Gg’s methodology involves translating ancient plant wisdom and emerging biomedical science into structured, monetizable healthcare ecosystems. His expertise is particularly profound in the clinical and commercial application of hemp and medical cannabis, where he works to bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and modern regulatory frameworks.

As a certified Tea Taster, Gg applies the same precision and sensory discipline to the science of preventive health. He founded Expect Miracles Life Sciences LLP, which serves as the intellectual and strategic nucleus powering consumer brands such as Moksa and Twiee.

Unlike conventional FMCG or wellness companies, Gg’s organization operates as a pattern-recognition and intellectual property laboratory. By synthesizing his deep botanical background with industrial innovation, he ensures that the future of healthcare is rooted in the systematic preservation and adaptation of the natural world’s most potent resources.

Dr. Kunal Shah, a distinguished speaker who transitioned from a researcher to a visionary entrepreneur. With patents published in the USA, India, and China, Dr. Kunal's expertise lies in crafting Natural, Organic, and Nutritional Health Supplements that cater to a global audience. He is the founder and the driving force behind Essenzaa Nutrition Pvt. Ltd., a trailblazing enterprise that operates across 30 countries and is rapidly expanding. Backed by a loyal consumer base of over 5 million individuals, a government endorsed Research Lab, and two manufacturing facilities approved by the US-FDA, Dr. Kunal Shah is a true pioneer in the health and wellness industry. His latest launch includes Brands like The Tiny Secret and Bree Matcha (Co-Founded by Sanya Malhotra)

With over 6 years of work experience in the foods and nutraceutical sector, Anjana is a seasoned professional with expertise in food science, nutrition, product development and compliance. She is passionate about driving innovation and designing products that are not only “better-for-you” but also affordable, practical and enjoyable for the consumers.