Family, friends and colleagues recently gathered just outside of McGuffin’s Venice Beach home in his lush urban garden to celebrate the life of the “Herb Hero” and NutraChampion, who passed away on Feb. 17. The tribute also provided a stage for AHPA President & CEO Graham Rigby to announce the Michael McGuffin Endowment Fund, which AHPA described as “a living tribute to Michael’s vision, leadership and passion for the herbal community.”
Graham said the fund is one of the many ways AHPA can continue tending to McGuffin’s “garden,” ensuring that the seeds he planted for a thriving herbal products industry will grow for generations to come.
Building on McGuffin’s legacy
McGuffin, who was instrumental in building the modern herb industry, was also known for his generosity and mentorship. AHPA said the endowment fund will help build on that legacy by providing financial awards and support to emerging leaders, innovators and advocates.
AHPA said some of the goals include nurturing new leaders in the botanical and herbal products industry; curating inspired industry vision to guide future innovation; increasing herbal knowledge through education and research; supporting sustainability in the botanical supply chain and herbal products industry; and sustaining AHPA’s mission for generations to come.
“Michael had a remarkable gift for fostering connections and welcoming people into this industry — so many colleagues share stories of how meeting Michael inspired them or opened doors for their careers,” said Rigby. “With the creation of the Michael McGuffin Endowment Fund through the AHPA ERB Foundation, AHPA aims to carry forward his unifying, bridge-building spirit by offering financial support to those who may not otherwise have the means to break into or engage with this community — just as Michael did for so many over the years.”
“Michael had a gift for building community and welcoming folks into the fold,” said AHPA Director of Communications Melissa Do, adding that the AHPA team is “working hard to keep up the good fight — just what Michael would have wanted.”
Endowment fund spurred by “overwhelming gratitude”
The idea for establishing the fund came from AHPA trustee Mitch Coven. Do said the suggestion was met with full support by AHPA staff and board — including Staci Eisner, McGuffin’s life partner.
“Michael’s untimely passing caused me — and many others — to reflect on how we got to where we are today,” said Coven, CEO of Vitality Works. “As I thought back on the successes of Vitality Works and its growth over more than 40 years, I realized that Michael opened a door for me at a pivotal time.”
Coven detailed how in the late 1990s, he was a low-key herbalist attending his first AHPA meeting. After he had asked a few questions, McGuffin encouraged Coven to run for the AHPA Board of Trustees. Coven would go on to win that election and has since served over 25 years, with McGuffin playing an integral role in educating Coven on the herbal industry and its regulations.
“My overwhelming gratitude inspired the idea to establish an endowment in Michael’s name, with a focus on supporting the next generation of industry leaders,” Coven said. “Who will guide this industry into the future, and how can we help them? That was Michael’s mission. I first shared the idea with Staci Eisner, Michael’s partner, and then brought it to AHPA’s staff and board. The idea was enthusiastically embraced and I made the largest donation I’ve ever given to help launch the fund.”
Coven added the endowment fund is one way the industry can honor McGuffin for his years of impact and for the footprint he left on the world. “Through the Michael McGuffin Endowment Fund, a part of Michael will live on, helping the next generation open doors, just as he once did for me.”
The endowment fund is operated and managed by the AHPA ERB Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by McGuffin in 1997, during his 25-year tenure as AHPA President, and dedicated to advancing botanical education and research.
