Business Leaders Forum 2025

Caroline is the Founder and CEO of Nouri, a microbiome health company creating products for gut, immune, and brain health. She has founded, advised and invested in over 10 food, beverage, technology and sustainable resource companies that have partnered with leading retailers around the world. Caroline is a college dropout and former Thiel Fellow.

Jim has been a member of the NOW management team since 1995, initially as Chief of Operations and then as President of NOW Foods. Jim was promoted to Chief Executive Officer of NOW Health Group (NHG) in 2014. Jim has been a key player in NHG’s global expansion efforts, and instrumental in developing the operational resources and facilities in North America. Industry leadership positions include the Natural Products Association Board of Directors, Alliance for Natural Health, and the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada, in addition to other initiatives. Jim was honored by the American Botanical Council as the 2018 ABC Champion.

Colin Watts currently serves as Thorne’s Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for defining the global strategic direction of the company, overseeing all aspects of the business and creating a culture of strong organizational engagement to help drive growth. As a consumer products and healthcare industry veteran with a diverse set of company experiences across consumer health, nutrition and retail health, Colin has built a successful track record leading rapid-growth global businesses previously serving as CEO of The Vitamin Shoppe, CEO of JuvLife, a longevity health startup, President of Weight Watchers Health Solutions, Chief Innovation Officer at Walgreens, and Global Operating President of McNeil Nutritionals and Consumer Healthcare, a division of Johnson & Johnson. Colin played an instrumental role in launching Splenda globally during his J&J tenure and has helped shape significant brands including Tylenol, Lactaid, Campbells Soup, Chunky, LifeSavers and Ortho-Tricyclen. He brings a unique perspective to Thorne having worked on Wellness and Preventative Health from multiple angles with both consumers and professionals over the years. Colin has a BA in history from Brown University in Rhode Island, an MA in International Relations from the UPenn and an MBA from the Wharton Business School at UPenn. Colin and his wife, Auriel, have raised three daughters and now spend free time pursuing an active, wellness-focused lifestyle.

Lee A. Wright joined The Vitamin Shoppe as Chief Executive Officer in May 2023, after serving as interim CEO since January 2023. Mr. Wright previously served as the Chief Commercial Officer of Franchise Group, Inc., The Vitamin Shoppe’s parent company, since January 2022. Prior to joining Franchise Group, Mr. Wright served in various executive positions at Conn’s, Inc. including COO and CFO. Earlier in his career, Mr. Wright served as President and then CEO of Professional Directional Enterprises, Inc., an energy services company, and held various investment positions for 16 years within several private equity firms, including as a Senior Managing Director at Diamond Castle and as a Director at DLJ Merchant Banking Partners. Prior to his time spent in private equity, Mr. Wright was an analyst in Credit Suisse First Boston’s investment banking division. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Washington & Lee University.

As Editor-in-Chief of William Reed in North America, Stephen overseas its market leading brands including NutraIngredients-USA.com and FoodNavigator-USA.com. His journalism has been recognized by the American Herbal Products Association (2015 Special Award for Journalistic Excellence), and the American Society of Business Publication Editors (2019, 2020, 2022). Stephen also acts as the editorial consultant and chair of William Reed’s Probiota & Probiota Americas events, the NutraIngredients-USA Sports & Active Nutrition Summit, and leads the NutraIngredients-USA Awards program.