Founder

Kelly Ablard, PhD (Biology), BSc (Biology, cum laude), MSc (Conservation) is the Founder and CEO of Airmid Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the global education, research, sustainable, and traditional use of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). Her evidence-based research spans conservation biology, genetics, evolutionary biology, behavioral ecology, ethnomedicine, and chemical communication, with fieldwork conducted across the globe. Her work has been highlighted by Canadian Geographic and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Kelly has presented extensively across North and South America, Europe, and Asia, giving over 58 presentations in countries including South Korea, Peru, The Netherlands, England, Scotland, Indonesia, Canada, Türkiye, Greece, Germany, and the USA, and has published many peer-reviewed articles. She served for many years as a Community Scientist with Science World in British Columbia, founded the Urban Apothecary Learning Garden at Vancouver Community College, and developed the college’s first urban sustainability program. She continues to collaborate on conservation initiatives with the Peruvian Shipibo on their MAP Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) and with The National University of Tumbes, Peru on the reforestation of Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens), while providing education to strengthen opaque botanical supply chains, such as the Frankincense (Boswellia spp.) supply chain.

In recognition of her contributions, Kelly was named an Outstanding Alumnus by the Simon Fraser University Department of Biological Sciences in 2022 and received the 2024 Outstanding Achievement Award from the Alliance of International Aromatherapists. She is also a Fellow of the International Clinical Aromatherapy Network (ICAN) and a Director on the Aromatic Quality Appraisal Taskforce (ARQAT). She is the co-author of the children’s book No Place for Plants.

Founder
Dr. Anthony Ferrari is a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry who has applied his scientific expertise to the botanical, aromatherapy, and cannabis industries. He has collaborated with numerous university-led clinical trials focused on health outcomes, working to bring standardization to an industry often challenged by chemical drift and batch-to-batch variability.

As the first hire and Chief Science Officer for the then start up company with 12 affiliate locations at the time. Tony helped to grow this to the second-largest hemp CBD company in the U.S. by sales, Dr. Ferrari oversaw an immense formulation portfolio, developing hundreds of products while ensuring quality, compliance, and innovation. His work has spanned research, product development, regulatory strategy, and large-scale commercialization.

This conference reflects his mission to bridge science and industry and to create a platform where researchers, formulators, and business leaders can solve challenges, share knowledge, and advance the understanding of these emerging ingredients.

Founder

Lora Cantele is a Registered Aromatherapist through the Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC), Clinical Aromatherapist, Author, Educator, Writer, and International Speaker serving the aromatherapy community for over 20 years.

Her work as the former president of Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA) has helped the organization flourish to become a leading voice in advancing an ethical practice of aromatherapy for personal, as well as clinical use. During her early tenure at the AIA (2006-2012), she successfully led the development and implementation of AIA’s aromatherapy educational standards to take the level of aromatherapy education in the USA to new heights. She has received the AIA Founder’s Award in 2011, and again in 2017 when she was formally recognized as a founding member of the AIA. As an aromatherapy educator, writer, and international speaker, Ms. Cantele continues to unite and inspire her colleagues to speak out about the importance of this work within an integrative health and wellness program.

She is the Chief Editor and Publisher of the peer-reviewed International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapy. In addition to being the co-author of the Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness, she has contributed to several books on aromatherapy and has published many articles in journals and magazines worldwide. She was featured in the Netflix documentary (UN)WELL for her work with special needs children.

She is the co-founder of the Case Study Collaborative and the NRI Institutional Review Board. She is Fellow of the International Clinical Aromatherapy (ICAN) and the Chair of the Aromatherapy Registration Council.