Recognition for the woman behind CurraNZ

CurraNZ founder Fleur Cushman has received Innervision Global’s Influential Woman Award in Science-Led Nutrition Innovation 2026–2027, recognising her work building an international nutrition business grounded in research.

For anyone who knows CurraNZ through a packet in their training bag or a daily supplement routine, this is an opportunity to meet the person behind the brand.

Fleur’s background spans equine performance, (specialising in thoroughbred racing) and sports journalism. Over the past 14 years, her work building CurraNZ has brought her into another world of performance: the laboratories, universities and sporting environments investigating and deploying New Zealand blackcurrant extract.

Innervision Global’s editorial panel highlighted that journey, alongside her commitment to clinically supported nutrition and the international development of the proprietary New Zealand blackcurrant anthocyanin extract, CurraNZ^® and its branded ingredient, Enzans ^®.

A business shaped by research

Developing CurraNZ has meant diligently waiting for research to be published, building relationships with researchers and helping make their findings accessible to the people who might benefit from them.

Today, the product-specific evidence base includes more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, exploring areas including exercise performance, recovery, circulation, glycaemic health, gastro-intestinal protection in the heat and fat oxidation. That research continues to develop, bringing new questions as well as new findings. Not many supplements globally offer this level of specific evidence; many rely on generic science, or use someone else’s.

It is an approach that has taken CurraNZ from its New Zealand roots, into international sport and academia. They have supplied the All Blacks since 2018 and manufacture for their Healthspan Elite supplement range.

Recognition for 15 years of work behind the product

Building a nutrition business involves much more than developing a supplement. Behind every packet is years of work on sourcing, manufacturing, quality, research and customer, ambassador and supplier relationships.

This recognition provides a chance to acknowledge that work - and the people involved.

A family business to the core, Fleur's husband Dave runs warehousing and fulfilment, big brother Scott runs operations in Australasia, her business partner Tom Wilson oversees the Southern Hemisphere business and his daughter Maree runs fulfilment in Australia. Two families - with a shared passion and vision for the brand.

The researchers conducting the studies, practitioners sharing their experience, athletes putting CurraNZ into their routines and customers returning year after year have all contributed to the business Fleur has built.

It also adds a personal chapter to the CurraNZ story, alongside the product’s unprecedented six NutraIngredients Sports Nutrition Product of the Year wins (Europe, USA, Asia), four European Specialist Sports Nutrition Awards and IHCAN Best Recovery Product Award.

The stardust to talents in sport

For Fleur, one of the greatest pleasures has been watching athletes flourish with CurraNZ - adding a little stardust to sporting talent, training and dedication they bring to their sport. 

She is proud to have supported many athletes as their careers have developed, including triathlon legends Lucy Charles-Barclay (left, pictured with husband Reece) and Hayden Wilde - plus more than ten World Champions, World Record Holders, Olympic Champions and Fastest Known Time (FKT) holders. Seeing their hard work rewarded remains one of the most meaningful parts of her journey.

Looking ahead

Our focus remains on continuing the research, sharing it clearly, developing the product range and making CurraNZ available to more people.

Thank you for being part of that journey. Whether you discovered us recently or have supported CurraNZ for years, your interest and feedback help shape what comes next.