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Strengths/Skills
Resilent
Responsive
Candidate Bio
Former school foodservice director for fifteen years, in school districts in California, successful in implementing Farm to School programs, conversion to speed-scratch cooking and incorporating nutrition education and garden based classroom learning. A registered dietitian worked in a variety of food service and healthcare settings. Served as adjunct faculty taught foodservice and nutrition courses at Cal State Northridge. Has a B.S. in Foods and Nutrition and M.S. in Business, and a PhD from Iowa State.
Contributions and Leadership Achievements
Organization | Position | Term | Contribution |
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics | Chair, School Nutrition Services, Dietetic Practice Group | 2022-2023 | Provided leadership and organization during a challenging time of regulatory changes and opportunities for dietitians working in school nutrition by working to engage and serve members, through advocacy and education on timely legislative issues, webinars, resources, and responses to member requests. |
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics | Chair-Elect. SNS-DPG | 2021-2022 | Provided support and program expertise to the Chair, and members during the unknowns during the pandemic and aftermath. Presented in an educational session spotlight on Forecasting Innovation: Post Pandemic Possibilities. |
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics | Treasurer, SNS-DPG | 2019-2021 | In collaboration with other board members, developed the annual budget to align with the statement of work, ensured that funds were managed appropriately and timely, to provide the best service to our members. |
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics | Treasurer- Greater Richmond District Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics | 2021-2023 | Managed budget and finances for the district, aligning funds with the program of work. Provided guidance to the Board on establishing future budgets and accurate tracking and reporting of income and expenses. Developed and presented a webinar on healthy school meals. |
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics | Treasurer- Elect, Greater Richmond District Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics | 2019-2021 | Developed tracking forms to increase audit transparency and accountability. I provided support to the treasurer and Board at all district functions. |
Employment
Employer | Title | Years | Location |
Virginia Department of Education | State Director, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs | 7 | Richmond, Virginia |
Conejo Valley Unified School District | Child Nutrition Program Director | 4 | Thousand Oaks, California |
Ventura Unified School District | Director of Food and Nutrition Services | 12 | Ventura, California |
Practice Areas
Years in Practice Area:
Approximate number of years as a member of this DPG/MIG": 10
Honors and Awards
Organization | Award | Year | Contribution |
Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia | Governors Award- Pandemic Response | 2021 | I received the Governor's Award for my contributions during the pandemic by working to ensure that every Virginia child had access to meals by supporting and coordinating efforts for schools and community sponsors to continue to serve meals throughout the pandemic. |
California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics | Excellence in Community Nutrition | 2015 | Developed and implemented farm to school initiatives and classroom garden based nutrition education in federal nutrition programs. |
California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics | Featured Dietitian | 2014 | I received this recognition for my collaborative work on improving healthful meals training and best-practices. |
The Center for Ecoliteracy | Innovator of the Year | 2013 | Initiated farm to school and scratch-cooking procurement best practices for school nutrition program directors. |