NSF International, Ann Arbor, MI, the public health and safety organization which developed the only American National Standard for dietary supplements (NSF/ANSI 173) and tests and certifies supplements to this standard, has expanded the program’s leadership team to support its rapid growth.

Former General Manager Lisa Thomas will now devote her energy full time to growing the flagship NSF Certified for Sport certification program as its Technical Manager while it continues to expand, working closely with professional sports leagues, anti-doping organizations, athletes, manufacturers and retailers globally.

Dr. Cheryl Luther, DC, has joined as general manager of NSF’s global dietary supplements program. Her role will include leading NSF’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) facility registration program, NSF’s dietary supplement and Certified for Sport certification programs, the NSF Beverage Quality program and the training courses associated with these programs. In addition, she is responsible for leading the dietary supplements product category for harmonized standard development for the store brand industry through the Global Retailer and Manufacturer Alliance (GRMA). The GRMA is also developing harmonized standards for cosmetic/personal care products, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and medical devices with a focus on comprehensive auditing.

Dr. Luther has an extensive background in physiotherapy and athletic performance as a sports practitioner, amateur and professional athlete, and coach. She holds a Master of Science degree in sports injury management and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. She is a member of the National Academy of Sports Medicine, National Strength and Conditioning Association, Council on Extremity Adjusting and the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians.

As a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) specializing in sport performance and recovery, Dr. Luther consults with professional and semi-professional athletes in the NBA, NFL and NHL, as well as U.S. Olympians and Para-Olympians. Additionally, she is an accomplished professional athlete, having won two national championships while playing Women’s Professional Football and serving as captain of those teams. She also coaches soccer at the college and youth levels.

“Cheryl has a passion for health and nutrition,” said Lori Bestervelt, executive vice president and CTO, NSF International. “As an accomplished amateur and professional athlete with advanced training, Cheryl has a strong integrated knowledge base of the importance of tested and certified dietary supplements. Her experience of integrating certified dietary supplements into a healthy lifestyle will be an asset to NSF International and our clients.”

“My entire professional career has been to guide individuals to health and keep their bodies functioning at the highest level possible, in the cleanest and safest mode available through diet, exercise and supplementation,” said Dr. Luther. “NSF International is the perfect partner to further that reach with clean supplements and a healthy value system of truly caring about the end user.”

Under Ms. Thomas’s leadership, the number of NSF-certified supplement products tripled in the last two years as manufacturers and retailers seek to demonstrate the highest levels of quality to their consumers. Currently, NSF has certified almost 800 products and ingredients and registered just over 500 facilities as GMP compliant.