Drew Hemler, MSc, RD, CDN, FAND
Nominating Committee National Leader in Practice for 15 Years or Less
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Position / Skills and Attributes
| POSITION | Skills/Attributes associated with the position | Examples of how I have demonstrated outcomes for each skill/attribute that qualify me for the position |
| Nominating Committee National Leader in Practice for 15 Years or Less |
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I've built meaningful & strategic relationships with Academy affiliates & members by serving on the Committee for Lifelong Learning, within the CDR, my state affiliate, and speaking at 50+ Academy events. I've taught dietetics courses, including service learning, that are aligned with institutional goals & ACEND standards. I’ve led the restructuring of NYSAND’s conference, developed EAPs & CEU opportunities focused on critical issues, and enhanced RD practice protocols for TELUS Health. I’ve led food system initiatives including access & nutrition education for vulnerable older adults. |
Employment History
| Employer | Title | Years Employed |
| TELUS Health | Professional Practice Consultant, Registered Dietitian, Clinician | 3.5 |
| Nutrition by Drew, PLLC | Dietitian, Consultant, Speaker | 8 |
| Buffalo State University | Lecturer | 8.5 |
Leadership Experience
| Leadership Position | Organization | Years Involved in the Organization | My specific leadership contributions, achievements and outcomes: |
| Committee for Lifelong Learning (CLL) | The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics | 2022 - 2025 | I've collaborated with an 18-member team of RDs, Academy staff and the President to critically review and select session, workshop, and learning lounge programming for 6000+ FNCE® attendees. I've contributed to updating FNCE® Call for Sessions resources, hosted a Learning Lounge in 2023, and participated in DPG & MIG meetings to improve application quality. I've co-guided CLL programming using the Academy’s Strategic Plan, considering trends and critical issues and ensuring speaker diversity to meet the needs of attendees. |
| Appeals Panel | The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) | 2021 - 2024 | I critically reviewed appeals case information, collaborating with fellow panel members to assess and deliberate on requests, selecting remediations related to professional development extensions and registration fee waivers in consideration of financial, medical, legal, and physical hardships. I contributed to policy updates as part of the Appeals Precedent Taskforce, co-developing key precedents such as the Graduate Degree Extension Requirement. My work has helped streamline processes and improve fairness and consistency in decisions that impact practice continuation among practitioners. |
| Director of Nutrition | LifeCrates | 2020 - 2022 | I developed nutrition guidelines and curated food items for monthly food package distributions for older adults impacted by COVID-19, ensuring the program met the needs of three major ethnic communities in and around the metropolitan Toronto area. I spearheaded collaborations between a team of dietitians and logistics personnel to design culturally appropriate nutrition and culinary education resources, targeting recipients living with chronic diseases and conditions given limited food supply. My work improved the food package retrieval and user experience for 2,500+ recipients. |
| Chair, Annual Meeting and Expo (AME) | The New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (NYSAND) | 2018 - 2019 | I led a 15+ RD- and student-member committee to restructure NYSAND’s annual conference from a three-day event to a 24-hour format. I developed a first-of-its-kind student symposium in collaboration with universities, employers, and Academy leadership, offering emerging practitioner training. I also pitched, developed and co-launched an On-Demand CPEU virtual subscription. Our 2019 event reached attendee capacity, secured maximum sponsorship and vendor offerings, and generated additional funding for future affiliate initiatives. |
| Communications Editor | The New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (NYSAND) | 2016 - 2019 | I managed the development and dissemination of the organization’s monthly newsletter, reaching 5,000+ members statewide. I collaborated with the NYSAND board to curate content, highlighting professional achievements, advocacy efforts, and free continuing education opportunities. I introduced new digital formats and engagement strategies, such as social media involvement and member contributions, increasing readership by 30%. I ensured alignment with the Academy’s strategic goals and provided training for leadership teams during fall leadership retreats. |
Personal and Campaign Statements
What do you see as opportunities for the future of the nutrition and dietetics profession?
As the role of dietetic practitioners evolves, focuses like personalized care, cultural competence, and technology skills offer opportunities to transform our profession. My primary goal is to ensure our leaders are equipped to drive outcomes that position RDNs and NDTRs at the forefront of evidence-based care and public protection. By expanding our expertise in data-driven nutrition, advocating for health equity, integrating technology, enhancing collaborations, and reducing barriers to accessing services, we can grow our impact on individual, community, and global health.
Campaign Statement
I’m dedicated to championing innovation, equity, and access. Fostering thoughtful and transparent leadership is essential to ensure our value and opportunities continue to grow across every area of practice. Bright leaders shape a bright future.