Founder’s Legacy Circle
The Founder’s Legacy Circle honors the visionary partners, mentors, and champions who helped shape Vitamin Angels from a small idea into a global movement. Here, we celebrate the individuals who stood beside our Founder, Howard Schiffer, during pivotal moments to offer guidance, resources, and steadfast belief in the mission. Their leadership and generosity played a defining role in Vitamin Angels’ growth and impact.
“Vitamin Angels would not be what it is today without the extraordinary people who showed up at just the right moments — often before there was a roadmap, a budget, or proof that this idea would work. These partners and champions believed in the mission, believed in me, and helped turn a simple act of generosity into a global movement. This Founder’s Legacy Circle is a reflection of my deepest gratitude.”
Howard B. Schiffer, Founder and Board Director
Al Powers
Former Head of Fruitful Yield; Former Leader of NOW Foods & NOW Charitable Giving Division
Al Powers began his career leading Fruitful Yield, the retail arm of NOW Foods, before going on to guide NOW Foods and their charitable giving initiatives. He is widely respected in the natural products industry for his leadership, integrity, and commitment to improving global health.
Al provided Vitamin Angels with its earliest cash donations, offering crucial financial support at a time when the organization was still finding its footing. His continued partnership and role as a champion for Vitamin Angels within NOW Foods helped sustain and expand the organization’s work in the early years and continues to this day.
Keith West
Public Health Researcher & Academic Leader
Keith West is an esteemed global public health researcher and professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with a focus on improving maternal and child nutrition and health in impoverished societies. His academic work has guided key public health nutrition policies and interventions around the world.
At a critical moment in the organization’s development, Keith provided the scientific framework needed to launch Vitamin Angels’ vitamin A supplementation program. Together with his associate, Monica Fox, they authored the white paper that became the blueprint for much of the organization’s programmatic strategy. Keith’s expertise helped ground Vitamin Angels’ work in evidence-based public health practices.
Robert Tompkins
Former Vice President Health & Wellness, Walgreens
Robert Tompkins led Health & Wellness at Walgreens, where he played an industry leading role in shaping over-the-counter, wellness, and chronic disease solutions for millions of customers across the US. Known for his strategic vision and passion for health equity, Robert built partnerships that created lasting social impact.
Robert became one of Vitamin Angels’ strongest champions within Walgreens, advocating for deeper collaboration and continually challenging the organization to reach more children and mothers in need. His leadership helped transform the Walgreens partnership into one of Vitamin Angels’ longest and most impactful collaborations to date.
Marshall Karp
Retired Advertising Executive; #1 New York Times bestselling author
On September 11, 2001, Marshall Karp’s daughter, Sarah, was at the World Trade Center when the planes hit the towers. When he finally learned that she survived, he made a vow to show his gratitude by making a meaningful contribution to the world. He found his answer in Vitamin Angels.
“Howard knew a single megadose of vitamin A every six months could prevent childhood blindness,” said Karp. “One dollar a year could save four children. How do you find the resources to save the thousands at risk? I reached out to my former client, Johnson & Johnson, the first major sponsor. That partnership marked a turning point for Vitamin Angels, opening the door to seek corporate funding to help deliver life-saving nutrition on a global scale.”
Amy Summers
Founder & President, Pitch Publicity®
Amy Summers is the founder of Pitch Publicity®, a firm known for its strategic communications leadership and high-impact public relations campaigns. With a talent for elevating meaningful stories, Amy has become a sought-after partner for mission-driven organizations.
When Vitamin Angels was preparing for its first large fundraiser, Amy stepped in at the eleventh hour to help plan and execute the event. Her expertise, creativity, and calm under pressure were instrumental in turning the fundraiser into a major success for Vitamin Angels. Amy’s work helped introduce Vitamin Angels to a broader community of supporters and partners.
Edward Davis
Former Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, Nutrition Headquarters
Edward Davis was the Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Nutrition Headquarters, the largest mail-order supplement company in the United States at the time. A respected entrepreneur in the natural products industry, Edward was known for his deep commitment to wellness and his readiness to support meaningful causes, both inside and outside the health and nutrition industry.
When the Northridge Earthquake struck Southern California in 1994, Edward saw a need to help. He stepped forward with the very first donation of vitamins – adult and kid’s vitamins, vitamin C, and protein chewable wafers – an act that became the catalyst for the organization that would grow into Vitamin Angels. His generosity provided the initial momentum for Howard Schiffer to begin distributing vitamins to underserved communities across the US and around the world.
Tom Tolworthy
Former CEO of The Vitamin Shoppe and Barnes and Noble
Tom Tolworthy is a respected leader and visionary in the vitamin and supplement industry. During his tenure with The Vitamin Shoppe, he elevated the importance of staff training and product knowledge, transforming stores into trusted destinations for consumers seeking credible guidance on improving their health.
Through the invitation of a Vitamin Angels Board member, Tom attended one of the organization’s earliest major events and was deeply moved by the mission. At the close of the event, he approached Howard, handed him his business card, and said “You need to come see me.” Just two weeks later, a meeting at The Vitamin Shoppe’s corporate headquarters in New Jersey marked the beginning of a twenty-year partnership between Vitamin Angels and The Vitamin Shoppe. Tom later joined Howard in the field on two occasions, which he described as life changing experiences, and became a passionate advocate for Vitamin Angels’ work.
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