Leading For Wellness

About Leading For Wellness

Leaders from the world’s most forward-thinking wellness companies come together at Leading for Wellness to exchange insights and shape what’s next. Our exclusive networking events facilitate in-person connection while our podcast allows a deep dive exploration into the minds of the most innovative leaders in biohacking, nutraceuticals, and better-for-you CPG. Subscribe to Leading For Wellness and join our community of wellness leaders today.

Publisher

Liesl Bernard

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

26 Jul 2024

Latest episode

5 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

40 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Oct 2026

   Empowering Women in Nutraceuticals: Leadership, Sales, and Opportunity

   Petra Erlandson, VP of Sales, Alkemist Labs, has been working in the dietary supplement industry since 2006, with extensive experience in technical sales, business development, and technical support of cGMP compliant analytical testing, scientifically valid methodology, and reference materials. Since joining Alkemist Labs in 2015, Petra has played an integral role in the expansion of their testing capabilities to include strength and potency analysis as well as contaminant testing.  She is responsible for overseeing the sales and client services staff and key client and industry relationships, as well as the company’s marketing and content programs. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree from Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California. Petra is a voting joint committee member of NSF/ANSI 173 for Dietary Supplements and NSF/ANSI 455-2 for cGMPs for Dietary Supplements.  She is also a member of the Women in Nutraceuticals (WIN) Board of Directors.  Petra serves on multiple trade association committees including the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) Analytical Laboratories, Communications, and Education Committees; Global Retailer and Manufacturer Alliance (GRMA) Dietary Supplement Product Integrity Committee; Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) Communications Committee; Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) Dietary Supplement Committee; and United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) Advanced Technologies Working Group and Amazon Committee. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Petra Erlandson and her background 01:53 Petra’s journey from chemist to sales in nutraceuticals 04:08 The culture of the nutraceutical industry and community 06:53 Alkemist Labs and its role in botanical testing 09:55 The importance of the herbarium and botanical library 11:46 Women in nutraceuticals and sales: opportunities and advice 17:05 The impact of Women in Nutraceuticals organization 19:57 Career development session at Supply Side Global 22:01 The role of women in sales and industry growth 26:01 Petra’s personal growth through networking and community 29:58 Petra’s journey into golf and its benefits 34:09 Golf as a tool for relationship building and personal growth 36:58 Encouraging women to try golf and build connections 41:05 Petra’s bucket list and life goals 43:00 Living by the quote 'Be the change' Contact Petra Erlandson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petraerlandson/ https://www.alkemist.com/ SupplySide Global: Career development for women: Sales as a strategic path to leadership: https://attendees.supplysideshow.com/event/supplyside-global-2026-1/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfNDQ0MjI5Nw== Contact Liesl Bernard: liesl@leadingforwellness.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/ www.leadingforwellness.com

2. 

   14 Sept 2026

   An In-Depth Conversation with Saanroo CEO John Quilter on Building Global Corporate Culture

   Liesl Bernard speaks with John Quilter, CEO of Saanroo, about his shift from a long corporate career into a family-owned wellness business. John shares why he stepped away from a high-travel leadership role, how he rebuilt balance in his life, and why Saanroo’s science-first approach sets it apart in the nutraceutical space. John explains why he left an 18-year global leadership career at Kerry and nearly retired in 2023 before choosing a new entrepreneurial path. He shares how constant travel, family priorities, and burnout risk pushed him to reassess what success really meant. Saanroo’s rebrand from Gencor is discussed to separate the nutraceutical business from the family’s broader pharma interests. John outlines Saanroo’s science-led positioning, including nearly 80 clinical studies and roughly $20 million invested in research. He breaks down Saanroo’s core product platforms: men’s health, female health, health span and metabolic health, and advanced delivery systems. The conversation covers examples of Saanroo’s branded ingredients and areas of focus. John explains why delivery systems matter, especially bioavailability, stomach resistance, and better absorption of lipids and other ingredients. He describes the company’s partnership with Pharmaco in Australia and the role of various technologies. John talks through the culture he is building at Saanroo, emphasizing humility, vulnerability, respect, and supporting people as whole humans, not just employees. He shares how the company is thinking about AI adoption, starting with policy and internal readiness. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to John Quilter and Saanroo’s story 01:16 - Why John stepped back from corporate life 04:34 - Choosing entrepreneurship over retirement 06:28 - How Saanroo became the next chapter 07:25 - Family culture and people-first leadership 09:59 - Strategy, structure, and execution as John’s leadership framework 11:21 - Building personal balance through travel limits, swimming, and family time 13:51 - Why Gencor became Saanroo and what the new name means 15:01 - Why science and clinical research are central to the brand 17:24 - How Levagen and Trpti work in simple terms 20:11 - Saanroo’s four growth platforms 21:36 - Hair health, publications, and credibility through science 23:03 - Delivery systems: powders, liposomes, and better absorption 24:30 - Manufacturing standards and pharmaceutical-grade quality 26:07 - The next two to five years: growth, expansion, and stronger market recognition 30:17 - Hiring for culture fit and practicing humility 31:05 - Celebrating wins, handling mistakes privately, and staying aligned 33:29 - Why small gestures build loyalty and trust 35:25 - Vulnerability, leadership, and not needing to know everything 36:25 - Zooming in and out without getting lost in the details 38:27 - How Saanroo is approaching AI adoption 41:08 - John’s morning routine and supplement habits 43:19 - Where John is happiest outside of work 44:49 - Favorite travel destinations, especially Asia and Japan 46:56 - The quote John lives by: “If it is to be, it’s up to me” Contact John Quilter: https://www.saanroo.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-quilter-3b316b22/ George Kokkinis – Bioavailability Scientist Contact Liesl Bernard: liesl@leadingforwellness.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/ www.leadingforwellness.com

3. 

   31 Aug 2026

   EP 36 - From Gut to Brain: Calocurb's Path to Real Weight Loss - Sarah Kennedy

   Sarah was formerly with Fonterra and held roles as Vice President International Farming based in China, Managing Director of Dairy Nutrition, and Managing Director of RD1-Fonterra’s chain of rural retail stores. Prior to joining Fonterra in 2011 she had more than 20 years’experience in dietary and animal nutrition, including ten years as Managing Director of Healtheries/Vitaco NZ Ltd. During her time at Healtheries, she trebled the company revenue and then oversaw the merger of Healtheries and Nutralife to form Vitaco the third largest health and wellbeing company in the Australasian market. She is originally a veterinarian by training and has held a number of other senior executive positions in agribusiness and food industries. In 2009/2010 Sarah completed a Sloan Fellowship Program in Global Leadership and Innovation at Massachusetts Institute of Technology with 110 other Sloans selected from around the world. Sarah has held a number of board positions with Government, private, philanthropic andlisted NZ companies. Calocurb currently sells in  ve international markets and continues to grow rapidly through channels and geographies. ----- Sarah Kennedy, founder and CEO of Calocurb, shares the science behind this natural appetite suppressant and its potential to revolutionize weight management. Discover how it stimulates your body's own hormones, its clinical trial results, and future applications. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Sarah Kennedy and Calocurb 01:54 The science behind Calocurb's mechanism of action 03:51 Research and clinical trials supporting Calocurb 08:10 How bitter taste receptors influence appetite 11:58 Calocurb's effects on hunger, cravings, and rebound eating 16:11 Clinical trial results on weight loss and fat reduction 20:10 Using Calocurb to support gut-brain access and hormonal balance 23:58 Sarah's journey as a female founder and CEO 32:05 Future vision and potential applications of Calocurb 10% Off Discount Code for Calocurb: LFW10 Contact Sarah Kennedy https://www.calocurb.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-kennedy-0a840b13/ Contact Liesl Bernard: liesl@leadingforwellness.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/ www.leadingforwellness.com

Who has been a guest on Leading For Wellness

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Lisa Odenweller
• Ari Raz
• Susan Buckwalter Hartman
• Jim Tonkin

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 28 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

43

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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