The Team

Janice Shade, Founder & CEO

Janice Shade, Founder & CEO of TrueBody Products

Janice’s career path has been a steady progression toward uniting her alter egos of businessperson and nature girl.

The majority of her work has been in the consumer packaged goods industry—particularly the natural products segment—and includes brand management experience at Procter & Gamble and Welch’s. She’s held leadership roles in the marketing departments of two natural products companies: Nelson Bach—maker of Rescue Remedy, Bach Flower Essences and Nelsons Homeopathy; and most recently Seventh Generation—the nation’s leading brand of natural household products.

In addition to her marketing leadership at Seventh Generation, Janice also played an influential role in that company’s evolution as a socially responsible business leader. Janice has an MBA in Corporate Strategy from the Yale School of Management, and a BS in Finance from Boston University. She’s an active member of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility and a founding board member of Local First Vermont. She’s an avid skier, amateur gardener, experimental cook, and enthusiastic mommy. Janice lives in Jericho, VT, with her husband and two daughters.

Nina Brand, Sales & Marketing Coordinator

After spending a few years studying Environmental Science and Philosophy at Queen's University, Nina decided to exercise her passion for learning by exploring the depths of the business world.

She joined the TrueBody team in December of 2010. Dabbling in sales and marketing coordination, administrative work, and, most recently, bookkeeping, Nina strives to apply herself in any and all aspects of the business, becoming a well-rounded member of the team. Nina brings her knack for problem solving, creative thinking, and flexibility to tackle any task that may arise.

Outside of the office, she actively pursues her passion for yoga, artistic expression, live music, and sunshine. She is a long-time pianist and rookie guitarist. You will also find her cooking, volunteering, and doing anything that involves being outdoors.

Birgitta Polson, True Community Project Manager

Birgitta became an official member of the TrueBody team in January of 2012. She comes to us in the early stages of her career, with a passion for connecting businesses to community development initiatives.

The majority of Birgitta's work has been inspired by her love of living in and being a part of small communities. Prior to joining us in Vermont, she spent a year as an AmeriCorps fellow with the Island Institute, a non-profit community development organization in Rockland, Maine. Birgitta has been using our soap and bouncing ideas back and forth with Janice since June of 2010, when she returned home from volunteering in Nepal and realized that not everyone has access to basic hygiene. They have been designing the True Community Project ever since.

Originally from mid-coast Maine, Birgitta has an A.B. in Comparative Religion with a minor in Economics from Bowdoin College. She enjoys practicing her Nepali language skills while volunteering with the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program, and she's always looking for ways to get involved with Vermont's vibrant local food movement. When not in the office, you can usually find her running, doing something fun outside, baking bread, or taking turns practicing her guitar and banjo.