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