Over 25 years ago, Najla Guthrie founded KGK Science, a full-service premium contract research organization that focuses on conducting high-quality clinical research and providing expert regulatory advice to help bring safe and effective products to global markets.

Throughout her career, Najla has been lauded for pioneering innovation in the nutraceutical industry, designing novel clinical trial designs, helping companies to bring new consumer products to the marketplace, substantiating claims for a wide variety of brands and other consumer health products, and instilling consumer confidence for retailers in the statements made on product labels.

Najla began her research career in the Centre for Human Nutrition at the University of Western Ontario, focusing on the beneficial effects of citrus juices and constituent bioflavonoid components on breast cancer cells. While this pioneering study continues to generate media and scientific interest in the nutraceutical industry, Najla has since published over 50 papers in peer-reviewed journals and has given numerous presentations for both national and international platforms.

Najla has also acted as a co-founding shareholder for KGK Science, transitioning from a nutraceutical medicine researcher to President and CEO. Under her leadership, the company successfully established and executed a novel strategic plan, one which leveraged its research infrastructure and financed the development of patented in-house products. She was responsible for the co-development of KGK’s Diabetinol™ and Dermytol™, as well as the commercialization and licensing of Sytrinol™. Additionally, Najla has brought KGK’s integrated research and product development team to a world-class level, with the group receiving international recognition for its efforts in nutraceutical science and cannabis research.

Najla is also a lobbyist for the advancement of policy changes in the supplement and cannabis industries and sits on the boards of numerous companies and trade associations. Najla engages global stakeholders and lobbies for the advancement of policy changes in the dietary supplement, cannabis and psychedelic industries.

Najla is a recognized leader in the emerging psychedelic industry with a focus on how the development of natural compounds can fundamentally change the way we treat and prevent mental illness.

Najla is driven by a desire to fundamentally change these industries in a very impactful and transformative way. She is a first-generation minority immigrant and female leader in STEM, leading the way for increasing greater diversity and opportunities for women in the field of science. In 2021, she helped co-found the Women in Psychedelics Network (WIPN), an organization designed to bring scientists, medical professionals, research assistants, attorneys and others together to empower the next generation of female leadership. In addition to founding WIPN, she remains active as board chair for WIPN.