Our People

Abigail Buckwalter is Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Health Science U.S. (NHSc). Leading a team of more than 6,000 employees, Abigail is responsible for driving the strategic direction and growth of NHSc with a focus on developing nutrition solutions rooted in science. Throughout her time working with the Nestlé organization over the last two decades, Abigail has developed a strong belief in the organization’s purpose of empowering healthier lives through nutrition.

An integral leader at NHSc since its inception, Abigail brings a depth of experience to her role. She has built a proven track record of success, taking on increased leadership responsibilities in strategy and general management roles across Europe, Oceania, and the U.S. Under Abigail’s leadership, NHSc has accelerated product development, geographic expansion, and brand-building initiatives. Her diverse background, people-first approach, and entrepreneurial mindset fuel her ability to drive results for the business.

Abigail most recently served as U.S. President of Active & Medical Nutrition and Global Head of Strategy, Marketing, and Innovation at NHSc. In these capacities, she led the strategic direction for key brands including BOOST®, Vital Proteins®, Carnation Breakfast Essentials®, Pure Encapsulations® and Compleat®. Abigail’s in-depth understanding of the businesses across the NHSc portfolio uniquely positions her to drive cross-category growth for the organization.

Prior to joining Nestlé, Abigail gained expertise early in her career at marketing and creative firms serving major brands and businesses across CPG, healthcare, non-profit and food service categories. She currently serves as Vice Chair on the Board of Directors for Healthcare Nutrition Council, and sits on the Executive Board of Directors for the Consumer Healthcare Products Association.

Abigail holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA from Columbia University in New York. Beyond her professional life, Abigail's role as a mother continually reinforces the significance of her work in promoting healthier lives and shaping a better future for her three children. She is also a travel and adventure enthusiast and lover of all food and sports.

Learn more about Abigail through recent features in media, including by Authority Magazine and Council for Responsible Nutrition, and on an episode of the Optimist Podcast.

Rania Abou Samra is the Global Head of Product & Technology Development and Head of R&D, U.S. for Nestlé Health Science, overseeing innovation and strategic growth initiatives at a global scale. With a strong background in technical and scientific expertise, Rania drives innovation forward to advance nutrition and positively impact lives through science.

In January 2022, Rania assumed her role as Global Head of Product & Technology Development, following her tenure as Vice President of Research and Development at the Vital Proteins brand of the business, and drawing on over 20 years of experience in nutrition and research and development. Rania's professional journey includes her previous position as Global Director of Science and Technology at NHSc and Global R&D lead for Consumer Care. Across various Nestlé research centers, she lent her expertise to diverse sectors. Her core competencies lie in translating scientific and technical insights into breakthrough innovations for both patients and consumers.

Originally hailing from Lebanon, Rania pursued her education with determination. She earned her bachelor's and master's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the American University of Beirut, and later, her PhD in Appetite Regulation and Nutrition from the University of Toronto. Beyond her professional endeavors, Rania's passion for nutrition extends to her family life, where she enjoys preparing traditional Lebanese cuisine for her son. Her unwavering commitment to bringing the benefits of nutrition to all remains a driving force in her personal and professional pursuits.

Dr. Abraham serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Orgain with a focus on innovation, culture, and continued growth. In 2009, Dr. Abraham founded Orgain which is the global leader in clean nutritional products spanning across multiple categories including but not limited to organic protein shakes, organic protein powders, and organic protein bars.  

Prior to founding Orgain, Dr. Abraham completed his medical residency at Kaiser Permanente where he was appointed as Chief Resident of Family Medicine and had 18 medical doctors under his supervision. His studies in medicine led him to focus on Integrative Medicine and he served as Chief Medical Director at Cal Care Medical Group while running Orgain. Dr. Abraham transitioned out of the medical field in 2009 to focus solely on growing Orgain. 

Dr. Abraham has a bachelor’s degree in biology from University of California, Irvine and a doctoral degree in Family Medicine and Integrative Medicine from Kaiser Permanente.
 

Luis Briz is the Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance at Nestlé Health Science U.S. In his role, he fosters independent thinking within his team, building a trusted, strategic force that drives profitable growth and forms a foundation for empowering healthier lives through enhanced nutrition.

In 2008, Luis joined Nestlé Health Science as Operations Controller, responsible for overseeing more than 60 factories and over 100 co-manufacturers. In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in shaping financial strategy and establishing and enforcing policies, procedures, and internal controls. His dedication and expertise resulted in Luis taking the role of Head of Finance & Control for Asia, Oceania, the Middle East & Africa. Throughout this period, Luis delivered robust double-digit profitable growth, and substantial enhancements in cash flow.

Before his tenure at NHSc, Luis held finance-focused positions at diverse Nestlé subsidiaries across different countries around the world. Having traversed the globe with Nestlé, the various cultures he encountered and experiences he gained profoundly influence both his work and leadership style, placing a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion.

Luis earned several business degrees from prestigious institutions including Universidad de Oviedo, University of Sunderland, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, and The National University of Distance Education (UNED). Balancing his responsibilities as a father to five children, he still carves out time for personal activities and interests, including staying active and catching a Real Madrid match.

Laurel Catlett-King is the Vice President and Head of Human Resources at Nestlé Health Science U.S. In this role, she capitalizes on her extensive expertise in human resources and organizational development. Laurel has been instrumental in reshaping the HR function into a strategic partner business-wide, aligning its initiatives with the broader goals of the company. Under her guidance, her highly skilled team plays a pivotal role in advancing the mission of promoting healthier lives through nutrition, providing necessary support to all employees dedicated to realizing this critical objective.

Before joining NHSc U.S., Laurel held the position of Vice President of Talent at Nestlé, where she led talent and development programs. Since her arrival at Nestlé in 2011, Laurel's career within the HR organization has been marked by swift progression, with a focus on strategic initiatives encompassing employee engagement, talent development, and organizational effectiveness.

Committed to fostering a collaborative, innovative, and growth-oriented work environment, Laurel is a staunch advocate for workplace diversity and inclusion. She recognizes the pivotal role diversity, equity and inclusion plays in driving innovation and firmly believes in leveraging the unique strengths and perspectives of each individual to achieve organizational success.

With a career spanning over two decades in effectively leading HR teams, Laurel's professional journey includes multiple industries. Her interest in consumer packaged goods was sparked during her tenure at Sara Lee.

Laurel holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Oklahoma State University and master’s degree in Human Resources & Industrial Relations from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Beyond her professional pursuits, she is an avid runner, and finds the most joy in any activity that involves her family.

Christina Ferzli is the Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs at Nestle Health Science U.S. Leveraging her expertise in strategic partnerships, communications, and public affairs, she plays a vital role in positioning Nestle Health Science as the leader in the health and wellness sector.

Alongside her team, Christina concentrates on building trust and partnership through media relations, public affairs, corporate social responsibility, strategic partnerships, and communications. By closely collaborating with cross-functional teams across various markets, she engages with communities, policymakers, journalists, and consumers, contributing to the advancement of NHSc U.S.’s mission of empowering healthier lives through nutrition. 

With over 15 years of experience, including positions in the White House, academia, and the private sector, Christina is responsible for leading a unified approach across communications, public relations, and community engagement. This integrated strategy not only advances the organization’s communications strategy, but also translates NHSc U.S.’ narrative into actionable measures that benefit the company, consumers, and the broader community. 

Christina has dedicated her career to shaping a healthier future for people and the planet. Prior to joining NHSc U.S., Christina led Corporate Affairs and Communications at WeWork and Ocean Spray--spearheading public relations, ESG efforts, government affairs, integrated partnerships, and internal and external communications for both companies. Additionally, Christina served as Strategy Director and Legal Counsel for Michelle Obama’s health initiatives where she
 developed impactful cross-sector, data-driven programs and initiatives in collaboration with corporate leaders, health experts, government officials, and celebrities, all aimed at improving health and wellness nationwide. 

Born and bred in New York City, Christina holds both her bachelor’s degree and J.D. from Georgetown University. If asked about her most significant achievement to date, Christina will always say that her greatest source of pride lies in her team's sense of fulfillment—her accomplishments are inseparable from theirs.

Bob Goode is the President of Sales at Nestlé Health Science U.S. In his role, he leads all Sales teams across NHSc U.S., with the overarching goal of establishing impactful business partnerships. These partnerships not only drive commercial success but also emphasize health equity, recognizing the crucial role of nutrition in fostering healthier lives.

Bob assumed his current position in October 2021, bringing with him a wealth of experience. Prior to this role, he held the position of Chief Customer Officer at The Nature's Bounty Company, which was later acquired by NHSc. During his time at The Nature's Bounty Company starting in 2018, Bob developed a reputation for building enduring customer relationships, a testament to his dedication to focusing strong partnerships and long-term growth.

With an extensive career spanning more than 25 years, Bob holds considerable leadership experience in sales and customer acquisition. His previous roles encompass being the Global Vice President of Club Specialty & In-Store Strategy at Johnson & Johnson Consumer Group, as well as a Senior Vice President at Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy.

Bob's influence extends beyond Nestlé Health Science U.S., as highlighted by his involvement on the Retail Advisory Board for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.

Originally hailing from New York, Bob earned his bachelor's degree in Marketing and Marketing Management from Baruch College. He furthered his education by obtaining an MBA from Long Island University, Post. His journey in sales began at the age of 14, selling as a vendor at Yankee Stadium, showcasing his innate salesmanship. With a marriage spanning over 40 years, Bob is a proud father of two sons and a recently welcomed granddaughter.

Brian Groves serves as the Chief Marketing Officer at Nestlé Health Science. In this role, he leads a team across a variety of functions including Brand Management, Content Creation, Creative Excellence, Research, Insights and Analytics, Customer and Channel Development, and Partner Development. Together with his team, Brian drives business growth and customer satisfaction, delivering on the organization’s digital media and marketing strategy with a primary focus on accelerating digital capabilities and activation.

With more than 30 years of experience in performance marketing and brand management, Brian's strategic leadership skills make him a highly valuable addition to Nestlé Health Science team. Brian plays a critical role in accelerating the growth and evolution of the organization’s dynamic wellness and nutrition portfolio, empowering patients and consumers to lead healthier lives.

Prior to joining Nestlé Health Science, Groves served as Vice President for Global CPG Clients and Categories at Meta, formerly known as Facebook, where he was responsible for global revenue, strategic partnership growth, and go-to-market strategy for Meta’s CPG vertical. Prior to joining Facebook in 2014, Groves served as U.S. CMO for Pfizer Consumer Healthcare and held brand management and leadership roles at Callaway Golf Company and Johnson & Johnson Consumer Healthcare.

Brian earned his bachelor’s degree in History from Boston College and his MBA in Marketing from New York University Stern School of Business.

Moreno Perugini is President of Active & Medical Nutrition, U.S. and President of Global Pharmaceutical Therapies at Nestlé Health Science U.S. In his role leading the Active & Medical Nutrition U.S. business, Moreno manages the P&L and strategic direction for a key product portfolio which includes BOOST®, Vital Proteins®, Carnation Breakfast Essentials®, Pure Encapsulations® and Compleat®.

As President of Global Pharmaceutical Therapies, Moreno provides oversight to an essential pillar of the organization. Leading a dedicated team of commercial and medical professionals, Moreno and his team actively shape the healthcare system through innovative approaches and a strong commitment to delivering pharmaceutical products with a human-centered focus. 

Grounded in independent thinking, scientific rigor and extensive research, Moreno’s collective teams develop solutions that prioritize a complete patient narrative.

Prior to assuming the role of President of Pharma in December 2022, Moreno served as the Senior Vice President of Global Medical Affairs Pharmaceuticals at Aimmune Therapeutics, a company later acquired by Nestlé Health Science. His journey within the broader Nestlé organization commenced with a focus on crafting value proposition narratives. Over time, he undertook various responsibilities, including leadership of the Global Market Access team for the Nestlé Health Science portfolio, encompassing drugs, nutritional products, devices, diagnostics, and consumer care.

With an extensive background spanning over two decades in the life sciences field, Moreno holds expertise in areas such as marketing, commercialization, market access, and medical affairs. Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions at esteemed pharmaceutical companies like AbbVie and Novartis. Notably, he has been instrumental in bringing multiple pharmaceutical technologies to market, across different therapeutic areas, all guided by his unwavering commitment to prioritizing patients and expanding access to treatment.

Moreno holds a master's degree in Pharmacoeconomics/Pharmaceutical Economics from Universitat Pompeu Fabra – IDEC and an MBA from Bocconi.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Moreno is an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and demonstrates this commitment as the executive sponsor of the NHSC U.S. Pride ERG. For the past five years, he has chosen to put down roots, dedicating his time to raising his children alongside his husband. This experience brings him immense joy and contentment.

Barbara Sanchez is Head of Legal at Nestlé Health Science U.S. Alongside her dedicated team, she provides invaluable support and strategic guidance, playing a pivotal role in advancing our mission of empowering healthier lives through nutrition.

Barbara joined NHSc U.S. in December 2020, bringing with her over six years of experience within the Nestlé organization. During her tenure at Nestlé starting in 2014, she played key roles in enabling business objectives as Division Counsel for Nestlé Professional USA and General Counsel for Nespresso USA. She also concurrently oversaw Nestlé USA's corporate compliance and privacy programs.

With more than 17 years of legal expertise, Barbara's background is extensive. Her passion for nutrition, health, and wellness first began during her time as Associate Legal Counsel at Akron General Health System. She began her career at Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease LLP in its commercial practice group and served as an Assistant Professor of Law, teaching legal research and writing at University of Akron Law School.

As a leader, Barbara is dedicated to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, including diversifying the legal community and recognizing the unique contributions of military veterans.

Beyond her legal expertise, Barbara's leadership is evident through her active involvement in the community. She has dedicated her time to supporting organizations such as Archbishop Hoban Parents Club, Seton Catholic School Board of Directors, the Cuyahoga Falls Board of Zoning Appeals, and the Greenleaf Board of Trustees.

She earned her Doctor of Law degree from the University of Akron School of Law. Barbara, her husband and children spent over 20 years moving as an Air Force family before settling in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

Aileen Stocks is the President of Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbal Supplements at Nestlé Health Science U.S. In this capacity, she leads prominent brands within the VMHS domain, utilizing her extensive expertise in end-to-end innovation to propel the organization's key objectives. Her primary focus revolves around creating offerings that promote healthier lives for everyone through nutrition.

In her prior role, Aileen was the General Manager for VMHS at the Bountiful Company, which was subsequently acquired by NHSc. During her tenure at The Bountiful Company starting in 2019, she made notable contributions leaving a lasting impact.

With over 20 years of leadership experience in marketing and brand management, Aileen is an established professional. She previously worked as Vice President and General Manager - Grocery Leadership at Pinnacle Foods, and she held senior marketing roles at Nestlé Nutrition North America (Gerber).

Aileen earned her bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and her MBA from New York University.

Shawn Fanning is the Vice President and Head of Supply Chain at Nestlé Health Science North America, overseeing demand and supply planning, import/export, customer supply chain, project management, purchasing, and physical logistics. He has been with Nestlé Health Science since 2017 and a part of the Nestlé organization since 2003.

With more than 20 years in supply chain management, including previous roles with Nestlé Nutrition, Shawn is passionate about delivering high-quality products and services to customers and consumers in the health and nutrition sector. He is a seasoned leader in supply chain strategy and execution, handling complex product portfolios at various levels and focusing on the strategic direction of daily operations. He originally joined Nestlé in 2003 as an intern at the Nestlé Factory in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Shawn earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on Operations & Materials Management from the University of Wisconsin in Eau Claire. 

Veeral Shah is the President of Sales at Nestle Health Science U.S. In his role, he leads Sales across NHSc, inclusive of customer relationships / P&L, category strategy, commercial development and eCommerce.

With nearly 20 years of leadership experience in various sales and marketing positions, Veeral’s skillset spans all subsections of his Sales craft. Leading with a people-first, strategic and winning mindset, his experience in eCommerce, product growth and strategy, digital content, commercialization, brand marketing and retail strategic planning makes him an instrumental member of the Leadership Team.

Veeral joins NHSc having already established himself as an impactful leader within Nestlé. Prior to taking on this role in September of 2024, he was the Chief Digital & eCommerce Officer for Nestlé USA, where he oversaw end-to-end eCommerce business as well as the digital and Generative AI transformation across all of Nestlé USA’s Food & Beverage divisions. Before that, he also served as the Vice President of Category & Channel Sales Development for Nestlé USA where he led efforts to drive category leadership and growth, annual planning, and strategic sales initiatives while serving as a key liaison to the divisions.

Prior to joining Nestlé, Veeral gained expertise through leadership positions at Campbell Soup, Johnson & Johnson and Kellogg. He was named to the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 40 under 40 list in 2018, shares his POV and insights as a speaker at industry events, and has served on advisory boards at organizations including Instacart, Commerce IQ, and Public Citizens for Children & Youth. He currently sits on the McLean Youth Soccer nonprofit board of directors.

Throughout his career, Veeral has embodied the core elements of our culture and led teams with a focus on empowerment, courage, and speed, generating exceptional results.

Veeral is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan and earned his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Beyond his professional pursuits, he has three kids, whom he enjoys coaching in a variety of sports, and is an avid Detroit sports fan.