NutraWomen Wednesday: Crystal Webber, MS, RD, Founder, Niche Nutrition

Crystal Webber, MS, RD, started off as a registered dietitian working with populations from oncology to eldercare and even methadone clinics. She later shifted from clinical and sports nutrition to food science and product development. Webber said her childhood and her father influenced her career path

“I come from an engineering medical family. My father actually started off as a medical doctor at a very mainstream hospital chain. He ended up getting ill and they couldn't figure out what was wrong with him. So he took kind of a shift into the naturopath space which was really fascinating to me,” said Webber.

She explained that her father volunteered as a doctor on local Native American reservations, where Webber saw healing firsthand. 

“I was able to meet with a lot of the healers that he went to seek out answers from and look at their botanical cures and the rituals and so that was so fascinating and something that I wish more people were exposed to.”

Growing up, Webber was taught to favor independent thought over fitting in–something that she appreciates as a Person of Color and member of the LGBTQIA community. She is active in both the Naturally Proud Network as well as the JEDI Council. These groups celebrate diversity and Webber hopes more brands will do the same.

“I think that consumers and individuals are getting very good at noticing performative allyship or when companies are not doing diversity from a genuine place or when they're just not doing it at all. It's not that I think every brand or organization has to care, but if they do want those diverse populations included in their bottom line, then it's something they should definitely pay attention to.”