NutriLeads BV announced today that it has appointed Joana Carneiro, PhD as CEO effective immediately. NutriLeads is an ingredient supplier in the functional food, beverage, and supplements space. Co-founder and former CEO Erik Dam is stepping down from his position, the company reported.
 
Carneiro joined NutriLeads in April as chief commercial officer, with responsibilities for sales, marketing, and business development. She previously held several leadership positions in both research and development and commercial operations over a decade at the health, nutrition, and bioscience company DSM. Her positions there included global commercial operations director and global business director with P&L responsibility for ingredient businesses in several segments of the food and beverage market. She led business teams and developed and executed growth strategies that resulted in strong sales and increased market share, NutriLeads reports.
 
Carneiro has a doctorate in chemical engineering from the Delft University of Technology.
 
“Joana is ideally suited to lead the company as it transitions from its research and development stage to a global commercial business marketing innovative functional ingredients to manufacturers and formulators worldwide,” said Sanne Melles, chairman of the NutriLeads supervisory board. “The combination of her scientific expertise and real-world success leading and growing B2B ingredient businesses will help us realize the tremendous potential of BeniCaros and NutriLeads’ patented RG-I technology platform.”
 
BeniCaros is a bioactive polysaccharide derived from upcycled carrot pomace, and is evidenced to confer immune support through a dual mode of action that both prepares innate immune cells and stimulates beneficial gut bacteria at a daily dose of 300 mg.
 
“I’m thrilled to lead our company to the next level,” said Dr. Carneiro. “We have an innovative technology platform with numerous health applications and a natural immune health ingredient, BeniCaros, with a unique dual mechanism of action that is unlike any other in the natural products industry. Equally important, we have great team that is passionate about partnering with manufacturers to bring our bioactive ingredients to the market so people everywhere can live happier and healthier lives.”
 
Melles also made note of Dam’s contributions to the company. “On behalf of the board, we thank Erik and wish him the best. We will build on the foundation he helped create,” Melles said.
 
“After co-founding NutriLeads in 2014 it has been an exciting journey together with the excellent and passioned team,” said Dam. “The launch late 2021 of our immune ingredient BeniCaros in the U.S. market and the transition to a commercial health ingredient company are just a couple of highlights,. As we now reach the next phase of our growth strategy it is a good time to hand over my position as CEO to Joana Carneiro. I wish her and the team all the success needed to drive the business forward.”