The people Behind the brand
Behind the Beautifully Nutritious brand stands a nutritionist and a biochemist dedicated to transforming the beauty industry. They are committed to producing products backed by science not claims; backed by evidence not anecdote.
Dr. Gena E. Kadar is the founder and Chief Executive Officer. She is a nutritionist, respected international speaker, consultant, scholar, and author. Dr. H. Garrett Thompson is the Chief Scientific Officer. He is a biochemist and a respected researcher, professor, author, and academic leader.
We interviewed our CEO & CSO… See what they have to say!
Dr. GENA E. Kadar
Where’s home? I was born in Montreal, Canada and I lived in Ottawa, Montreal, and Southern California with some short stints in Paris, France and Salamanca, Spain. Today my home is beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona.
Tell us about your books. My latest book is titled - you guessed it - Beautifully Nutritious! It is all about the science of nutrition and beauty. My earlier book is titled A Manner of Living: An Evidence-Based Guide to the Art of Eating Well, Living Well, and Being Well for Life. It is intended to serve as a realistic, practical, and sustainable guide to help people live a healthy and happy life.
Any other publications? Yes! I led the development of clinical nutrition guidelines on obesity and cardiovascular health management and completed other scholarly works that have been published in peer-reviewed education, health, and nutrition journals. I also co-authored a textbook chapter on metabolic and endocrine dysfunction.
Degrees and credentials? From where? I am a Certified Nutrition Specialist, licensed Doctor of Chiropractic, and hold a Master’s degree in Medical Education Leadership. I am a proud graduate of Southern California University of Health Sciences, University of New England, and McGill University with studies at University of Salamanca, Spain and the Sorbonne, University of Paris.
Before launching Beautifully Nutritious, what did you do? My background is a mix of clinical nutrition practice and academia. I spent nearly a decade in clinical practice and as a corporate wellness consultant and then spent another decade in academia as an Associate Professor of Nutrition, Chair of the Division of Integrative Health Sciences, and as Chair of the Department of Nutrition at Southern California University of Health Sciences. I also served four terms as the university’s elected Faculty Senate President. Most recently, I was working as a higher education consultant and am leading the development of two master of science degree programs in nutrition. Today, I am also the founding dean of the School of Nutrition at SCNM.
Tell us about some of your volunteer work? I serve on the Board of Directors of the American Holistic Health Association, the Education Working Group of The Academic Collaborative for Integrative Health, and serve as a site team member for the Accreditation Council for Nutrition Professional Education. Previously, I served on the Board of Directors of the Orange County California Chiropractic Association.
Favorite hobby? Spending time at the barre… the ballet barre! Barre is not only my workout of choice it is my therapy, my stress release, my balance, my challenge, and my joy. I have been doing it for over a decade now and I can’t imagine a week going by without it.
Share a healthy lunch with any figure from history. Who do you choose and why? Easy choice! My exceptional father. He passed away November 2nd, 2009 but he is still with me every day and is my fuel and purpose.
Deserted island: mascara, lipstick, or SOLEIL by Beautifully Nutritious? SOLEIL by Beautifully Nutritious hands down!
Dr. H. Garrett Thompson
Where’s home? Born and raised in Southern California but today home is beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona.
What are your Degrees? And from where? I have a PhD in biochemistry and am a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic. I earned my PhD from Loma Linda University and my clinical doctorate from Southern California University of Health Sciences.
Any publications? Yes! In addition to authoring a biochemistry textbook and book chapters on public health and endocrinology, I have published peer-reviewed articles on several pathologies including breast cancer, asthma, and bone diseases. My multi-disciplinary approach has resulted in publications in the fields of bioinformatics, cell biology, tissue engineering, and interprofessional education.
Before launching Beautifully Nutritious, what did you do? My background is both in scientific benchwork and academia. I spent the early years of my career working in the Bone and Mineral Metabolism Lab at Loma Linda VA Hospital. After completing my PhD I worked as a postdoctoral fellow and research scientist in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at University of California, Irvine. At UCI, I studied cancer genetics and molecular biology. I then transitioned from the lab to the classroom. I spent the last twelve years in academia, starting as a professor and am now working as Vice President of Academic Affairs at SCNM.
What’s ZIBRA?? While working as a post-doctoral fellow, I discovered and named a new human protein. I called it ZIBRA after features of the protein, which stand for “zinc in-between ring finger UBA-associated protein”. Today ZIBRA is also known as RNF-31 and plays an important role in the regulation of cancer.
Tell us about some of your volunteer work? I serve with Dr. Kadar on the Board of Directors of the American Holistic Health Association and the Education Working Group of The Academic Collaborative for Integrative Health. I also serve on the Council for Naturopathic Medical Education and on the Council for Chief Academic and Clinical Officers.
What would your super power be and why? Easy – flying! It’s an exciting, fast and efficient way to travel and as a California native, it sure beats sitting in traffic.
Favorite hobby? Researching my ancestry, including the family histories of my more famous relatives Mark Twain, James Madison, and George Washington.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” As it turns out, it’s true!