Networking Night: Certifications

Naturally Boulder’s Networking Nights are THE place to meet, connect and collaborate with 150-200 of the most passionate, pioneering leaders and companies in the Colorado natural products community.

Certifications: What to Prioritize & How to Proceed

When: July 8, 5:30-7:30 pm
Where: Eco Products & The Jackfruit Company, 4755 Walnut Street, Boulder, CO 80301
Subject Track: Sales & Marketing

The certification process and inherent work required can be an intimidating task for any entrepreneur. Which certifications should your business consider? How should they be prioritized? How is an audit executed for them? Can I afford it and is it worth it? These are familiar questions for most businesses in the Naturally Boulder community. Our expert panel will address these questions and more to demystify the certification process.

Learn from the Experts

Samantha Carter – Director of Quality Assurance and Food Safety, Bobo’s Oat Bars
Philip Calabrese – Quality Director, Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha
Steve Taormina – Business Unit Manager, NSF International
Brandon Hernandez – Senior Partner, Whole Brain Consulting; Moderator and Naturally Boulder Board member

Meet the Panelists

Samantha Carter

Philip Calabrese
Philip oversees Quality Assurance and Quality Control at Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha and has helped build and implement Rowdy Mermaid’s Quality Assurance and food safety program from the ground up. Philip leads the company through food safety audits from both the FDA, 3rd party Food Safety Auditors and an Organic auditors. With a background in biochemistry and microbiology, he also helps solve technical challenges associated with keeping Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha in compliance with US law by implementing strategies to maintain a process that produces a non-alcoholic beverage (less than 0.5% ABV) on every batch and has an extended shelf-life without the need for pasteurization or alcohol reduction.

Steve Taormina
Steve Taormina is a 25-year veteran to the natural products industry. He has worked for Whole Foods Markets corporate offices and New Hope Network as the Standards Director for the Natural Products Expos. Steve joined NSF International as a Business Development Manager in September 2015. Currently Mr. Taormina is the Business Unit Manager for NSF’s Consumer Values Verified division. He oversees NSF’s certification operations for companies seeking Non-GMO, Gluten Free, True Source Honey, Raised Without Antibiotics, and Plant-Based labeling claims.

Cost

Members: FREE Non-members: $15