Recognized Organic Food Leaders 2025

Local food producers didn't know how to easily sell their products. When consumers want convenient access to quality groceries from people they can trust...they visit Farm To You. Chris is a 7th generation retailer with nearly $400MM in fresh food sales. Growing a 100% local grocery store using direct-to-farmer relationships, Chris has a pulse on local food problems that few have attempted to tackle in this way. Learn why farmers markets don't actually benefit many farmers (or consumers) and how grocery stores also fall short. Chris is eager to educate and inform others using on-the-ground insight into why our food system is so broken and why we lose thousands of farms a year with most farms earning negative income farming.

Sandy Abram is a former Nurse turned corporate marketing executive turned natural health and wellness entrepreneur. After founding and leading award-winning organic companies First Ray and Wholesome Hub, she went on to create Unstoppables, a platform dedicated to circadian health, ancestral wisdom, and helping people take back control of their wellbeing. Recognised as one of the Top 50 People in Ecommerce, Top 50 Small Business Leaders, Top 50 Women2Watch, and Australian Mumpreneur of the Year, Sandy has spent years challenging mainstream narratives and advocating for a return to natural health and wisdom. Sandy also holds an MBA (Honours), further reinforcing her expertise in business strategy, marketing, and leadership. Sandy's passion for light, health, and resilience isn’t just professional—it’s personal. After facing her own health challenges, she turned to the power of nature, sunlight, and circadian rhythms to reclaim her vitality. Now, she’s on a mission to help others break free from the modern health traps and become their own health boss. Sandy has helped thousands of people rediscover what it means to truly thrive—by working with your biology and nature, not against it.

Plant-based raw food expert with 16+ years of personal practice backed by 21+ years of medical records. Seven-time marathoner. Founder of Raw Foodiest coaching platform. Publishing IN NATURE WE TRUST manifesto March 2026. I teach energy-based health principles grounded in real-world results, not recipes.

For over two decades, I built brands for Fortune 500 companies, governments, and NGOs. But I wanted to create something of my own that was cleaner, safer, and future-friendly. That’s how Natural Care and EIGHT.OLD were born — two brands with one mission: to make everyday living sustainable, without compromise on quality or results. Natural Care offers a full lineup of eco-friendly cleaning essentials and non-toxic home care solutions — trusted by families, businesses, and even commercial kitchens. From stain removers and degreasers to daily cleaners and disinfectants, every product is planet-safe, high-performing, and designed for modern living. With EIGHT.OLD, we extended this vision into beauty and personal care — crafting clean, sustainable alternatives for skin and hair. Each product blends time-tested wisdom with modern science, ensuring results that are gentle, effective, and safe for people and the planet. I’m passionate about helping people transition to greener, conscious lifestyles, whether that’s through home care or self-care. If you’re looking for insights on eco-innovation, sustainable beauty, or conscious consumer trends, I’d be glad to contribute.

Konstantina Antoniadou is an expert non-toxic home and living advocate and writer, certified in Chemicals and Health by Johns Hopkins University, where she focused on the toxicity of commonly found household chemicals and their health impacts. She has also completed specialized studies in Sustainable Fashion (Copenhagen Business School), Business Models for Sustainability (BMS), and Sustainable Development Goals (University of Copenhagen), deepening her expertise in the connection between personal choices and global environmental change. With over eight years of experience in the field, K now writes from different places around the world as a digital nomad.

Founder of IngredientMD, a supplement intelligence platform powdered by most clinical data available. What's important, we communicate in language humans will understand instead. It all starts from individual ingredients instead of product name, claims, and anything else. Product is what's inside instead of what perception is being made. In our analysis of 500+ supplement products, we found 42% had at least one key ingredient below clinically studied doses. I focus on bringing evidence-based analysis to consumer supplement decisions.

Jelena Oertle is the founder of OVA flame™, a women’s health brand dedicated to bio-intelligent nourishment rooted in ancient organ wisdom and modern nutritional science. After navigating her complex health challenges, she developed a formulation philosophy that bridges ancestral practices with research-backed innovation. With ongoing studies in cellular biology, physiology, and physics (including certification through HarvardX), Jelena is committed to understanding the deep mechanics of the female body and its hormonal landscape. Her mission is to empower women to reconnect with their biology, restore vitality, and feel profoundly supported throughout every phase of their hormonal and reproductive journey. Jelena provides expert insight on women’s wellness, functional nutrition, hormone balance, and holistic healing. Through OVA flame, she champions a new era of nourishment that honors the female body as an intelligent system capable of regeneration, alignment, and thriving.

Dr. Kristian J. Edwards, founder of BLK + GRN, is a leader in health care management and sustainable wellness. With degrees from Yale University and a Doctorate in Public Health from Johns Hopkins, her career reflects a deep commitment to cultural competency and addressing health disparities. Formerly an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at George Washington University, Dr. Edwards taught and mentored future public health leaders on critical issues in health care management. Prior to this, she served as an administrator at Johns Hopkins Health System, where she led initiatives to improve patient safety and sustainability, including a program that reduced operational costs by over $100,000. In 2017, Dr. Edwards launched BLK + GRN, a marketplace and incubator for Black women-owned brands in the non-toxic wellness space. Since then, BLK + GRN has achieved over $1.3 million in sales, garnered a community of 210,000 social media followers, and shipped more than 18,500 orders to individuals seeking all-natural, toxin-free products. With a mission to normalize non-toxic living while supporting Black entrepreneurship, BLK + GRN has been featured in Essence, Forbes, Blavity, USA Today, and The New York Times. On July 1, 2019 I was in a life threatening car accident in my dream car, a brand new Tesla, with my husband and newborn son. The car hit us, our airbags didn’t deploy, and I immediately lost consciousness. Dr. Edwards now dedicates herself full-time to growing BLK + GRN, empowering consumers and amplifying Black women entrepreneurs in wellness.

Brett Farmiloe is the Founder & CEO of Featured. Featured connects subject-matter experts with top publishers to increase their exposure and create quality, ready-to-publish Q & A content. More than 50,000 experts answer questions on Featured to get their insights published in articles on Fast Company, Entrepreneur.com, and 1,000+ more publishers. With 1M+ answers received, Featured is unlocking the full potential of human knowledge, one answer at a time. Previously, Brett founded and ran Markitors, a digital agency for small businesses, for 10 years before a successful acquisition. More stuff... Brett's first company, Pursue the Passion, was a career education startup that took Brett and three friends on two cross country roadtrips to interview people about how they found passion in work. One of the biggest takeaways? That people don't have a meaningful outlet to share the expertise they've accumulated in their lifetime. Other career highlights: - Helped the actor Hugh Jackman launch a charitable coffee company (acquired by Keurig) - Published Author (sold 1,000 copies...lots of them to people in Duluth, MN) - Keynote Speaker (100+ speeches from Alaska to Miami, including a TEDx) - First Mailchimp Expert west of the Mississippi - Founder of Digital Marketing company that is one of the best places to work in Arizona (Best Companies 100, Phoenix Business Journal) - Contributor to Forbes, SHRM, Thunderbird, Huffington Post, Mashable, TIME, NextWeb, Etc - Once was sponsored by a food company with unlimited supply of Hot Pockets. Proceeded to eat Hot Pockets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for 30 days to bootstrap a startup. Never has ate a Hot Pocket again. Projects In Development... // Revival of the World Pillow Fight Championships

I’m a content strategist and editor focused on building trustworthy, eco-conscious consumer guidance. I manage Earthava, a platform focused on providing trustworthy, practical product reviews and sustainability information. I specialize in translating complex research into clear writing, balancing SEO with authenticity, and creating content that feels like advice from a knowledgeable friend. My approach prioritizes credibility, long-term brand value, and helping people make confident decisions.

Deniz Baynal is the Founder of DetoxCapsuleShop.com, a premium online shop specializing in high-quality herbal detox teas and botanical capsules. With a passion for natural wellness, Deniz curates blends featuring science-supported ingredients like green tea, guarana, goji berry, L-carnitine, and fennel to support gentle detoxification, metabolism, digestion, and energy without harsh effects. Drawing from extensive research into herbal traditions and modern wellness practices, Deniz focuses on safe, effective formulas for daily use. DetoxCapsuleShop products are designed for those seeking clean, plant-based support for bloating relief, natural cleansing, and overall vitality. As an advocate for transparent, non-GMO herbal solutions, Deniz shares insights on proper detox tea usage, ingredient benefits, and combining teas with capsules for optimal results. Available for expert commentary on herbal detox methods, natural supplements, wellness trends, and safe cleansing routines.

Andrea is an entrepreneur & global expert in 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. He is the founder & "Chief Earth Officer" (i.e. a CEO on a mission for our planet) at 𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐦.𝐜𝐨𝐦, a leading sustainability information and data platform, and one of Angel List’s ‘𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞’. In 2024, illuminem achieved "the most participated round by key climate investors worldwide" and "the region's highest valuation for an early-stage climate company". Andrea is also the 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐄𝐂 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬 (Europe's #1 business school), where he teaches Europe’s only Greentech course, with the goal of developing the next generation of sustainability leaders. Previous to illuminem, he served as the 𝐁𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩’𝐬 (𝐁𝐂𝐆) 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧, leading projects on sustainable investments and innovation for multinationals & governments. Andrea has been recognized by the 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 as one of the 50 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 '𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬' ("civil society leaders making the change we need to see"), and by Startup Italia as one of '𝐈𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐲’𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬'. He is the Sustainability & Innovation 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫, Der Standard; a published author in the Journal of Financial Engineering; and a speaker at events hosted by COP, Davos, and universities around the world. His latest TEDx on ESG has become “the most-watched talk in Italian on sustainability.”

Our mission is to offer practical, user-friendly, and aesthetically appealing alternatives to single-use plastics. We are committed to making sustainable choices accessible and appealing to a broader audience. As the CEO, my primary responsibility is spearheading the company's eco-market expansion. Since its inception in 2018, I have successfully guided the business from a mere concept to a global eco-brand. Today, we proudly offer an extensive range of over 100 eco-friendly products and have garnered a customer base exceeding 200,000 individuals worldwide.

Meet Dhriti Mukherjee Pipil – Trade Economist, Consultant, Speaker & Educator Dhriti Mukherjee Pipil is a Delhi NCR–based international trade economist, consultant, researcher, and speaker, specialising in trade finance, foreign trade policy, and agricultural trade. She is the Founder of Global Trade Institute (GTI), an institution focused on building export-ready professionals and businesses through practical trade education. She currently serves as a Senior Research Fellow at Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), where her work examines India’s agricultural trade policy, export restrictions, price volatility, and supply chain dynamics. She is also an empanelled faculty with Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), delivering specialised sessions on export finance and international payment systems. Dhriti is a Leadership Member at the Women in International Trade Business Council (WIITBC) under the International Trade Council (ITC), and serves on the Economic Advisory Board of the Economic Transformation Council, contributing to trade-led policy discourse. With over a decade of experience in banking and trade finance, her expertise spans export finance, cross-border payments, foreign exchange markets, trade risk management, WTO frameworks, and emerging digital trade finance systems. She holds professional certifications from the Indian Institute of Banking & Finance (IIBF) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Her work bridges policy, practice, and pedagogy—offering consultancy in export strategy, trade finance structuring, compliance, and market entry. She actively mentors MSMEs and startups, enabling them to navigate global markets with operational clarity. Dhriti has authored peer-reviewed research in journals such as Economic & Political Weekly and The Indian Economic Journal, alongside policy contributions to The Hindu BusinessLine, Down To Earth, Policy Circle, AgroSpectrum, and global platforms including the World Trade Centre. She is a regular speaker at national and international forums, including the Economist Intelligence Unit (2025), International Trade Council (2025), WTO Chairs Programme, and Indian Economic Association. Through her work, she seeks to reduce information asymmetry in global trade and build a more inclusive, resilient, and knowledge-driven export ecosystem.

Dr. Stephanie Wedryk is an agricultural scientist and business strategist with more than 15 years of experience spanning farming operations, product innovation, and agribusiness. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from The College of Wooster and a Ph.D. in Horticulture and Crop Science from The Ohio State University. Throughout her career, she has built research and development programs from the ground up, developed product pipelines, forged strategic partnerships, and designed go-to-market strategies that drive revenue — across organizations ranging from large global agribusiness firms to smaller specialized companies. Her experience bridges the full commercial lifecycle of agricultural products, from early-stage innovation through to market execution. One of her greatest strengths is her ability to take complex agricultural systems and technical concepts and translate them into clear, accessible ideas for any audience — whether that is a scientific peer, a business leader, or a curious member of the public. She is a recognized expert in agronomy, pesticides, fertilizers, and regenerative and sustainable agriculture practices. Journalists and media professionals can reach out to her for expert commentary on topics including agricultural innovation, sustainability in food production, the business of agriculture, the science behind modern farming systems, and crop inputs.

​Lisa Ackerman is a board-certified functional medicine nutritionist and the founder of Well Fed Wellness, where she guides clients towards better health with science-backed, judgment-free coaching. She holds an M.S. in Human Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport and is completing a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition at Maryland University of Integrative Health. She specializes in gut health, mental health, and metabolic health and loves that a job exists where she can talk about food and nutrition all day long.

I'm a dedicated plant research scientist with a deep passion for harnessing the power of science and technology to enhance the field of agriculture. I am an expert in the development of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies aimed at combating diseases in vegetable and fruit crops, both within the greenhouse and field environment, for improved productivity.I find great satisfaction in sharing my extensive agronomic knowledge and promoting agriculture products and services with different stakeholders.

Tatiana Anderson is a tropical plant expert with over 20 years of hands-on experience growing and caring for tropical and subtropical plants. Her work focuses on fruit trees, flowering plants, and climate-sensitive species, with practical guidance based on real growing conditions. She works with a US-based tropical plant nursery that ships plants nationwide and contributes to a large online plant encyclopedia documenting thousands of plant species. Tatiana specializes in plant identification, variety selection, cold protection, and helping gardeners avoid common growing mistakes.

Formerly a business owner in the fashion industry, I have redirected my career to catalyzing positive environmental change. As an Environmental Scientist and Project Manager I am hands on deploying ehnanced phytoremediation systems on contaminated and degraded sites throughout California. As an International Keynote Speaker, I am passionate about raising awareness and inspiring action on pressing environmental issues. Additionally, as a Native Plant Workshop Educator, I empower individuals to connect with their local ecosystems and promote biodiversity starting with their own backyard and communities. Join me in the environmental revolution, and together, we can make a lasting impact on our planet. Let's connect and collaborate for a greener, more sustainable future.