June 3, 2010 - Washington, D. C. ? The Natural Products Foundation (NPF) announced today that Deborah Knowles has been named executive director of the organization.

?I am delighted Deb has agreed to serve as Executive Director. She has the expertise and the vision to help the Foundation reach its greatest potential,? said John Gay, president of the Natural Products Foundation and executive director and CEO of the Natural Products Association. ?From her initial experience with the Dietary Supplement Education Alliance, which became part of NPF in 2008, to our present day operations, Deb has consistently demonstrated her commitment to our mission.? The Natural Products Foundation's mission is to enhance and promote the integrity of natural products through quality, science and education.

Knowles was most recently the director of development at the Natural Products Foundation, after joining NPF with the Dietary Supplement Education Alliance (DSEA). She is a health industry veteran, with many years of experience working in management and consulting positions. Her background includes the start-up, development and sale of two successful companies focused on health care cost management. She received her MBA from Cornell University.