Chimene Castor, Ph.D., RDN, LDN
CDR Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
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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 |
| CDR Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) |
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I have 18 years of experience as a Dietitian and am strongly committed to protecting public health by setting and maintaining professional standards. I served on the Board of Dietetic Practice for the state of Maryland for 8 years, where I upheld accreditation and credentialing requirements to ensure the integrity of the profession. Additionally, I served on the Maryland Academy of Nutrition board in various roles, which allowed me to differentiate between organizational and professional issues. I am committed to promoting inclusion, diversity, equity, and access, as demonstrated through my leadership in creating equitable food systems and ensuring that credentialing processes are accessible to underrepresented groups. |
CDR Nominating Committee RDN |
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I understand the strategic direction and leadership requirements of the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) through my 8 years of experience on the Board of Dietetic Practice in Maryland. I have participated in national networks of CDR credentialed practitioners, staying connected to trends and best practices in the profession. My experience enables me to communicate effectively with both internal and external stakeholders, ensuring collaboration, transparency, and the integrity of credentialing standards. |
Employment History
| Employer | Title | Years Employed |
| Howard University, Department of Nutritional Sciences | Associate Professor | 12 years |
| Healthcare Services Group | Clinical Dietitian | 9 years |
| Dietitians on Demand | Clinical Dietitian | 10 years |
Leadership Experience
| Leadership Position | Organization | Years Involved in the Organization | My specific leadership contributions, achievements and outcomes: | Leadership Skills used in this position: |
| Co-Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) | The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics | 2021 - 2022 | As Co-Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, I collaborated with my Co-Chair, Director, and various members to develop guidelines aligned with the Academy’s commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access. We ensured that focus groups reflected diverse representation and content expertise, while also creating new pathways for future Academy leadership. Our approach emphasized assessing applicants’ potential contributions across a range of qualities rather than using a quantitative scoring rubric. | As the Co-Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, I spearheaded an effort to create new guidelines for diverse representation and leadership development. I utilized leadership skills to establish clear goals, coordinate meetings, and distribute responsibilities, ensuring that each team member's strengths were effectively utilized. My self-awareness and adaptability were essential in handling differing viewpoints within the group, and I adjusted our approach as needed to keep the project on course. I employed interpersonal skills to actively listen and promote open dialogue, ensuring that every voice was heard and respected. Through fostering an inclusive, collaborative environment, I cultivated trust among team members, enabling us to tackle obstacles constructively. As a result, we successfully formulated a framework that aligned with the Academy's dedication to inclusion while creating new leadership opportunities for underrepresented individuals. This achievement reflected the collective influence of leadership, personal resilience, and interpersonal communication. |
| Nominating Committee Member for NOBIDAN | NOBIDAN for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics | 2019 - 2021 | For the past two years, I've proudly served on the Nominating Committee alongside the chairperson, working hand in hand to support NOBIDAN in its crucial mission. Together, we've been dedicated to advancing the professional development of dietitians, promoting optimal nutrition, and enriching the well-being of communities, with a special focus on those of African descent. | In my role as a Nominating Committee member for NOBIDAN, I collaborated closely with the chairperson and team to identify and attract students for leadership positions. Leveraging my leadership abilities, I orchestrated outreach initiatives, established clear objectives, and formulated strategies to involve students, underscoring the significance of honing leadership skills and expanding professional networks. My adaptability allowed me to fine-tune our approach based on student input, making our opportunities more enticing. By employing strong interpersonal skills, I cultivated relationships by attentively addressing students' concerns and highlighting the potential career benefits of participation. This collaborative effort resulted in heightened student engagement and successful recruitment into NOBIDAN's esteemed leadership program. |
| Co-author for the SOP/SOPP for Diabetes Care. | Diabetes Care and Education DPG’s SOP SOPP | 2016 - 2018 | I was a co-author of the Standards of Practice (SOP) and Standards of Professional Performance (SOPP) for Diabetes Care for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. I worked with experts to develop guidelines that help dietitians provide high-quality diabetes care. These standards are meant to ensure best practices and improve the professional performance of dietitians in managing diabetes, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes. | As a co-author for the SOP/SOPP for Diabetes Care with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, I applied my leadership skills to guide the team in creating guidelines that reflect diverse populations' needs in diabetes care. My personal skills helped ensure the inclusion of culturally relevant approaches, addressing the unique challenges faced by different communities. Through interpersonal skills, I facilitated open dialogue, ensuring diverse perspectives were considered in developing inclusive standards. This collaboration resulted in comprehensive guidelines that promote equitable diabetes care for all populations. |
| Nominating Committee Chair | Nutrition Educators of Health Professionals (DPG) | 2019 - 2020 | As the Chair of the Nominating Committee for Nutrition Educators of Health Professionals (NEHP), I lead efforts to identify and recruit qualified candidates for leadership roles within the organization. My role involves coordinating with committee members to ensure a fair and transparent selection process, while also promoting opportunities for professional growth and engagement among NEHP members. This work supports the mission of NEHP by fostering strong leadership that enhances nutrition education for health professionals. | As the Chair of the NEHP Nominating Committee, I utilized my leadership skills to oversee the recruitment efforts. I set clear goals and ensured a transparent selection process. My skills helped in managing differing opinions and keeping the team focused. Additionally, my interpersonal skills fostered open communication and collaboration. As a result, we successfully recruited strong candidates, thus strengthening NEHP's leadership and advancing its mission. |
Personal and Campaign Statements
What do you see as opportunities for the future of the nutrition and dietetics profession?
With two decades of experience as a dietitian, I observe emerging trends such as telehealth, personalized nutrition, and health equity as pivotal opportunities for our profession. These developments enable us to collaborate more effectively within our organization while bolstering community health. I am dedicated to remaining engaged and innovative, ensuring that we take the lead in addressing crucial health issues and enhancing the well-being of those we serve. Together, we can persist in making a lasting impact.
Campaign Statement
As your candidate, I am committed to leading with integrity, empathy, and dedication to improving community health.