Born in 1956, and raised in The Bronx, NY, Lind received his undergraduate degree from C.U.N.Y.—Lehman College and holds a B.S. in Psychology. He went on to law school where he received his JD from Western New England College School of Law. While in law school, he taught business law at The University of Massachusetts, and fell in love with academia. Upon graduation he practiced tax and general corporate law for the Park Avenue law firm Snow, Becker, Kroll, Klaris and Krauss. Lind left the practice of law and entered the natural products industry in November 1990, working for Nature Food Centres where he met his wife Maida. They have been married for more than 19 years and have a daughter Hannah, 17, and a son, Micah, 13. Highlights from Lind’s more than 20 years in the industry include the position of sales representative then director of sales operations for Solgar, director of marketing and national accounts for Vitaquest, and his current role of CEO/ North America for Sabinsa Corporation.
 
Health E-Insights: Do you consider Sabinsa to be an industry innovator?
 
Mr. Lind: Sabinsa certainly is. We have always focused our efforts on sound science and creating intellectual property protection of our many discoveries. These have been core values since the company’s inception in 1988, and other companies are just now trying to emulate our model.
 
Health E-Insights: What are the top two metrics to which your company pays the closest attention?
 
Mr. Lind: The two metrics we pay closest attention to are product quality and corporate growth, both personal and fiscal.
 
Health E-Insights: How do you evaluate success?
 
Mr. Lind: I evaluate success by comparing actual effort to best effort. If we have truly given our best effort then we have given ourselves the best chance for success.
 
Health E-Insights: Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader?
 
Mr. Lind: I like to think of myself as an amalgam of all the leaders I’ve encountered. Industry-wise, two people had the greatest impact. The late Rand Skolnick from Solgar taught me that the greatest assets of any company are its people. Dr. Muhammed Majeed of Sabinsa taught me the value of having the highest quality product on the market. On a personal level, the person who had the greatest impact on me as a leader was my father, who taught me that personal integrity is paramount.
 
Health E-Insights: What things would you do if you weren’t afraid?
 
Mr. Lind: I don’t operate out of fear so that’s not really a factor. But if I weren’t already doing something I love, which I am at Sabinsa, and there were enough hours in the day, I would incorporate teaching on the college level into my professional life. I used to teach business law at The University of Massachusetts, which I found incredibly rewarding. I love being around probing minds and the exchange of ideas and intellectual stimulation.
 
Health E-Insights: If someone handed you $100,000 and said you must spend it, how would you?
 
Mr. Lind: I would spend half on educational scholarships and half on the environment because children and this planet are our most valuable resources.
 
Health E-Insights: What is the best compliment you’ve received?
 
Mr. Lind: Hearing my children say, “You’re the best dad ever.” That’s truly the best. Another great compliment is when, after meeting my children, someone says, “You and your wife did a great job.” The thing I strive hardest at is being a good parent and my greatest products are the two magnificent human beings my wife and I helped create.
 
For more information and interview consideration, contact Sheldon Baker at [email protected] or visit his website at www.bakerdillon.com. And check out his blog at www.NutraInk.com.