From Wayne, NJ to a Flourishing Career

Kristine Halliwell’s journey from Wayne, NJ, where she grew up with her two older sisters and hardworking parents, embodies resilience, determination, and adaptability. Her early passion for health and wellness, sparked by her active childhood playing soccer and navigating personal challenges with weight, set her on a path of exploration and growth.

Academic and Professional Breakthroughs

Kristine pursued her passion by studying Nutrition and Food Science with a concentration in Dietetics at Montclair State University, balancing rigorous chemistry classes with a demanding part-time hospital internship while waitressing four nights a week. During a Nutritional Counseling class, she found herself guiding a student through a challenging breakup, which deepened her understanding of the human side of nutrition.

In 2012, during her senior year, Kristine seized an opportunity with Vitaquest’s food science internship program, starting in the powder lab and swiftly transitioning to a full-time role post-graduation. Thriving in product development for five years, she pursued an MBA with Vitaquest’s support, successfully arguing for its benefits to both herself and the company’s market strategies. Post-MBA, Kristine proposed and implemented a dual role in customer service and product development, leveraging her nutrition expertise and business acumen to enhance efficiency and customer engagement. Rising through challenges, Kristine’s resilience and dedication led to successive promotions to Purchasing Manager and, ultimately, Purchasing Director.

Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Milestones

Navigating through challenging career shifts and personal growth, Kristine credits her family, particularly her hardworking parents, for instilling in her a strong work ethic and independence from a young age. At Vitaquest, individuals like Shab Nassiry, a mentor during her product development tenure, played pivotal roles in motivating her to pursue higher education and career advancement.

Inspiration and Future Aspirations

Kristine’s passion for health and wellness continues to fuel her aspirations. She envisions curating consumer products that simplify choices in the nutraceuticals industry, ensuring access to quality ingredients and promoting better health outcomes. Her journey is a testament to embracing change, setting realistic priorities, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.