Nutrition Entrepreneurs Summer 2020

Ventures Enterprising News & Ideas for Nutrition Entrepreneurs

Summer Issue 2020 Volume XLV Number 1 Beating Impostor Syndrome: Opening Up to Stop Feeling Like a Fraud

From Feeling Unworthy to Knowing Your Worth Nicole Rodriguez, RDN Chair Welcome to the summer issue of Ventures! The subject of beating Impostor Syndrome couldn’t be more a propos from my new viewpoint as chair, so let’s address the proverbial elephant in the room.

You might recall that no one else was in the running for this position last year, and for the sake of transparency that very notion sent my deep-seated sense of fraudulence into overdrive. What was already an intimidating prospect – taking over as the ringleader for one of the biggest and arguably the brightest DPG - was compounded by feelings of unworthiness. Yikes!

So how do you move on from your worst bout of Impostor Syndrome? Here’s how I check in: Stay true to your “why.” My most beloved mentor, NE member Cindy Chan-Phillips, has helped me utilize this mantra in my business and social media efforts, but it’s one you can apply to any situation. The next time you find yourself doubting your worthiness or belonging, remind yourself of the passion that drives your purpose.

Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. If 2020 were a motto, this one might be it! Now use it to fight those feelings of being an impostor. I can’t be the only one who’s showed up at a conference,

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event or even a Zoom meeting, had a look around and felt completely unworthy of occupying the same space as my peers.

Take a deep breath, recognize that even the “heavy hitters” in our industry are human too and remind yourself once again of your “why.” Chances are that last bit is what got you into the room in the first place.

Know your worth. Feelings of failure and rejection are a great way to sabotage your bottom line. Cultivate a circle of trust with other dietitians who build each other up.

Whether it’s a mastermind meeting, group text exchange or weekly Zoom happy hour, connecting on issues including pricing is an invaluable reminder of your expertise and hard-earned credential. Ninety percent of my circles are comprised of fellow NE members. Coincidence? Definitely not!

Do you have thoughts on beating Impostor Syndrome? Join us and let’s discuss on the HUB! Yours in service, Nicole Nicole Rodriguez, RDN, and certified personal trainer, resides in the metro New York area, where she offers in-home meal prep, small-group training and nutrition coaching. Additionally, Nicole serves as a communications consultant and as the in-house dietitian for NavaFit (an app that connects workout buddies across the country). A passionate Master of Beef Advocacy, she’s on an eternal quest for the best burger and sharing facts about the animal agriculture industry along the way. Eager to make a positive impact on the next generation, Nicole recently took on the role as leader of her daughter’s Daisy Girl Scout Troop.

In This Issue: From Feeling Unworthy to Knowing Your Worth �����Front Cover Reframe Your Thoughts to Stop Feeling Like a Fraud ����������������� 2 Are You the Best Banana in the Bunch? ��������������������������������������������������������� 3 An Open Letter: How to Deal with the “Mean Girl” ������������������������������� 4 What’s Keeping You Stuck? ������������������� 5 FOFO - The Fear of Being Found Out �������������������������������������� 6 Student & Seasoned Member Interview ����������������������������������������������������� 7 Impostor Syndrome: “Will the Real Nutrition Entrepreneur Please Stand Up?” ������������������������������������ 8 Members on the Move ��������������������������� 9 Diversity is the Future of Dietetics ���10 Meet the NE Executive Committee �� �12 Upcoming Events ������������������Back Cover

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Ventures EDITOR Alena Kharlamenko, MS, RD, CDN

INCOMING EDITOR Jessica Beardsley, MS, RD, LDN

EDITORIAL BOARD, 2020-2021 Nicole Rodriguez, RDN, NASM-CPT Amanda Sauceda, MS, RDN, CLT Lisa Jones, MA, RDN, LDN, FAND Emily Merklen, MS, RDN Cathy D’Orazio, MS, RDN, LDN Lauri Egan, RDN, CPT The newsletter pertains to the Nutrition Entrepreneurs Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and reproduction rights are reserved. Publication of an advertisement in the Ventures newsletter should not be considered as an endorsement of the product or advertiser by the DPG. Viewpoints and statements in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect policies and/or positions of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. © 2020 Nutrition Entrepreneurs.

All rights reserved.

WE WELCOME INPUT FROM OUR MEMBERS. PLEASE CONTACT THE EDITOR: Alena Kharlamenko, MS, RD, CDN newsletter@nedpg.org

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION OR QUESTIONS Email NEadmin@NEdpg.org

ADDRESS CHANGES AND MISSING ISSUES If you have a change of address, please contact the Academy with your new address information. If you missed an issue, email Lauri Egan at NEadmin@NEdpg.org

Reframe Your Thoughts to Stop Feeling Like a Fraud Alena Kharlamenko, MS, RD, CDN Newsletter Editor Have you ever felt like a fraud - and that everybody would find out about it?

That people shouldn’t pay for your services, or that you weren’t enough of an expert to specialize in your niche? Welcome to the club! It is estimated that up to seventy percent of people experience these kinds of thoughts - also known as impostor syndrome - at least once in their careers. Even our profession of nutrition entrepreneurs is not immune from feeling this way. It’s so prevalent that we decided to dedicate a whole issue of Ventures to this topic so that you can read fellow entrepreneurs’ stories about impostor syndrome and apply their actionable tips to your own professional career.

In her book, The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer From the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It, impostor syndrome expert Dr. Valerie Young categorized impostor syndrome into five different subgroups: 1. The perfectionist: For perfectionists, feelings of doubt start to set in when they don’t achieve a goal they set for themselves or if they don’t do something perfectly. Does this sound familiar to any Type-A dietitians?

2. The expert: Experts often feel like they never know enough and are afraid of being found out as inexperienced or unknowledgeable.

3. The natural genius: The natural genius feels inadequate when they do not excel at something immediately.

4. The soloist: Soloists often feel like they have to achieve everything themselves without any help from others to feel worthy.

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5. The superwoman/man: Often described as workaholics, superwomen/men often feel like they have to work harder and

longer hours than others to prove their worth and avoid feeling like an impostor.

Do you fall into any of these categories?

I found this incredibly eye-opening and never realized there can be more than one way of feeling like an impostor. I know I’ve taken multiple courses and trainings to feel more like an “expert,” only to re-learn the same concepts I already knew. While there’s nothing wrong with continued education and learning more, this kind of thinking had the power to stop me in my tracks and derailed me from taking action.

Knowing and reflecting on why you feel like an impostor are crucial to changing your ways and regaining your confidence.

The first step in fighting back against impostor syndrome is to reframe your thoughts. The next time you feel like a fraud, really think about why it is that you’re not a fraud.

Why you should be counseling your clients.

Why you are an expert in your field.

Why you do have the authority to speak about your niche in the media.

Why you should write that book or article.

Once you reframe your thoughts, that feeling of being a fraud will dissolve and you’ll be a more confident nutrition entrepreneur.

This issue is filled with valuable information and advice on how to overcome impostor syndrome. At the end of the day, it’s up to YOU to change your thoughts and believe in yourself so much that you don’t feel like an impostor. It’s hard work but I know you can do it!

Alena Kharlamenko, MS, RD, CDN, is the founder of alenamenko.com, a food and nutrition blog where she publishes healthful, plant-forward recipes and makes nutrition approachable with easily digestible information. She serves as a nutrition consultant for brands and is also a freelance writer.

When not in front of her computer or recipe testing, she can be found hiking, exploring the outdoors or diving into the vast culinary scene that makes up New York City.

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Are You the Best Banana in the Bunch?

Lisa Jones, MA, RDN, LDN, FAND Past Chair There are still days when I wake up feeling like a fraud, not sure I should be where I am.

– Sheryl Sandberg

You could be the best banana in the bunch and you will still find people who do not like bananas. It is not worth going “bananas” over it, however, because doubting one’s accomplishments and feeling like a fraud are rather unfortunately commonplace feelings. Everyone suffers from impostor syndrome … even Tom Hanks.

I tried many activities growing up … gymnastics, dancing and cheerleading.

Candidly, I was not good at any of them.

Finally, in high school I tried field hockey and found out I was good at it … really good!

I still have the newspaper clippings (yes, back when we read the actual newspaper) to prove it. As a goalkeeper, I led our team to more shutouts than any other team we competed against. Still, some days I woke up and felt I was not good enough, and it would all come to an end the moment I could not deliver. I remember repeating

“No … No … No” out loud every time an opposing team player came anywhere near the goal cage. It even became my signature sound bite that the media used to quote me. After the game, though, when my team members congratulated me and told me what a great player I was, I always responded,“It was just luck, I am not really that good.” Today, I still have an inner dialogue every time I receive a compliment, and I have had to train myself to instead say only two words, Thank and You! Here are some tips to help beat impostor syndrome:

Be Understanding As soon as you experience these feelings, make sure to acknowledge and accept them. It is helpful to be aware of all your successes and failures in an effort to recall them during this time. This can assist you in putting your thoughts into perspective.

It is helpful to discuss with others who can provide a different perspective.

Be Uniquely “YOU” You can never be an impostor at being “YOU.” There is only one of you. Celebrating you as uniquely as you are is paramount.

If you do not get a client to say “yes,” remember you are amazing and she/he is just not buying (today) what you are selling.

It does not mean someone else won’t.

Remember to stay “uniquely” you as you will be better off letting your star shine brightly where it is supposed to shine.

Be Ugly Fruit It is OK to honestly assess your strengths and weaknesses, but draw comparisons only to yourself in order to learn, cultivate and grow. You do not have to be “perfect” to deliver great results and to provide the right solutions to your clients. It is better to share your gift with the world than wait until it is perfect. There is no “perfect”… aim for perfectly imperfect instead.

Think about the ways in which you experience impostor syndrome and what steps you can take to manage those feelings proactively. What are you going to do today to be the best banana in the bunch that belongs only to you?

Lisa Jones, MA, RDN, LDN, FAND, is a funny speaker and stand-up comedienne. She is not just mildly amusing - she is really funny. Lisa was bitten by the comedy bug at a young age, entertaining her family at the dinner table with knockknock jokes. Soon, she discovered SNL and would memorize bits and make her siblings perform them. Today, you can find Lisa chasing after her two-year old daughter, and after volunteers to watch her daughter so she can perform improvisational, sketch and stand-up comedy again.

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An Open Letter: How to Deal with the “Mean Girl” Kimberley RoseFrancis, RDN, LD, CDE NE HUB Manager “Girl, bye!” Am I the only one who has ever told herself or himself that? To be honest, I had to start being mean to the mean girl [or guy] living in my head. Please, hear me out; I promise you I am not crazy. As a person of color, getting “out of my head” was particularly hard. I always felt I wasn’t smart enough, good enough and dare I say polished enough to succeed as a Registered Dietitian. These thoughts were further affirmed by listening to the many social media and marketing avenues who praised successful people (aside from Oprah) who looked nothing like me. I was told I would never become a dietitian, never get into the Veteran Affairs internship, never land a job before finishing my internship, never start a business, never become a CDCES and CNSC, and the list goes on. These are only a few of comments which contributed to my

impostor syndrome. Today I want to share with you a few steps I’ve taken to silence the mean girl living in my head.

1. D on’t let people rent space in your head: Odd, right? No, not exactly. After years of introspection I realized a lot of my “mean girl” thoughts originated when I associated with people who did not have my best intentions at heart. I learned to adapt self-limiting views by constantly comparing my failures to their successes.

I had to honestly cut them out of my personal and/or professional life. In other words, Negative Nancy had to be evicted.

It may be a harsh thing to say and/or do, but the eviction notice may be temporary or permanent.

2. Think positive: For every impostor thought that enters your mind, counteract it with a positive experience. Think of all the times you succeed at something you set out to achieve and write them in a journal. You’ll be able to use this journal to remind you of your wins during the most trying times.

3. J ust keep swimming: Ever watched Finding Nemo? If so, what does Dory always say? “Just keep swimming” (and yes, I’m a Disney fan). As childish as this children’s film is, it holds gems of truth related to tenacity and endurance. Be gentle with yourself and realize the comparison game is a brutal one. Your path to success will look different. All you have to do in the race is “just keep swimming.”

Kim is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and a Certified Diabetes Educator with close to a decade of clinical experience. She thinks of herself as a virtual cheerleader.

Kim has two passions, the first of which is for students and dietetic interns. For this reason, Kim started a YouTube channel and has created step-by-step nutrition support videos and worksheets to help future dietitians accomplish their goals. Her second passion is for those newly diagnosed with diabetes or have uncontrolled diabetes and related complications. She has created video resources for her clients and also provides nutrition counseling sessions to help them reach their health goals.

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What’s Keeping You Stuck?

Chere Bork, MS, RDN Abundance Ambassador “I am stuck. I am not good enough; the client did not come back!”

“Other dietitians can make good money and I can’t so it must mean I am not doing this right.

What is wrong with me?”

“I have been doing this for a while so by now I should be more successful.”

Sound familiar?

An RDN I was coaching compared herself to every other RDN she EVER met on almost every coaching call. I asked her how she defined success. She said,“I don’t know.” If you cannot define what success means to you, how can you compare yourself to others and know if you met your goals or not?

You can use the Power of Attraction to dump your spinning negative beliefs and turn your life around. You have probably heard that our beliefs become things. Your belief is simply a thought you practice over and over again until you 100% believe it to be true. But is it true?

After years of coaching hundreds of RDNs, it is crystal clear that limiting, negative and disempowering beliefs are the root of all evil when it comes to creating positive results in your life. I am often asked, "Dietitians have all the answers, so why are they not doing it?"

What would it take to have them be in action

mode? Simple; they have to believe they can.

They have to have courage to overcome their fears, examine their beliefs and take action.

Often, our beliefs that we feel right are really wrong. Just because you think it does not mean it is true. Your belief is not a fact, just a belief. Read that sentence again and again.

Beliefs can change! Tell yourself, "My beliefs are not a fact, just a belief."

Take your disempowering beliefs and come up with a replacement belief and empowering belief.

I am not good enough; the client did not come back.

TO The client learned all she/he needed to and will be back when he/she is ready.

3. Create a list of limiting beliefs and create a replacement empowering belief for each.

4. Create a list of what happens when you believe your empowering belief.

Client example: "What happens when you believe these empowering thoughts?"

I am attracting the right people who respect me and love me for who I am.

I am going to work with people who WANT to work with me.

I am going to have balance in my life. When I work, I work - and when I am off, I am off. I am not thinking about working harder when I am off.

I am not earning six figures.

TO Do I really want to earn six figures if I want to only work 20 hours a week?

Mark Victor Hansen reminds us, "Whatever you are ready for is ready for you!" Life is ready for you to attract exactly what you want. I dare you to prove me wrong.

I should be more successful because I have been doing this for a long time now.

TO I am in the process of attracting success and I am blessed I still love what I do.

Feeling stuck is a FEELING, not a fact. Never assume that you’re stuck with the way things are. Life changes every second, and so can your beliefs and your life.

Four Power of Attraction Steps 1. Define what success means to you.

2. Create a list of why success is possible including your personal motivators, skills, passions and gifts. Feel stuck? Ask five people what your gifts are.

Chere Bork, aka “The Dietitian Energy Igniter,” is the happy owner of cherebork.com and a Law of Attraction coach. She gives RDNs a confidence boost to live the lives they have always wanted. She helps them find clarity so that they can be the best they can be. She thought she was a failure many times in her career. And every time the challenge and adversity created a more beautiful, meaningful life. She wants that for you – a beautiful, meaningful life!

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FOFO - The Fear of Being Found Out Leslie Bonci, MPH, RDN, CSSD, LDN Webinar Presenter Spotlight As a member of the Nutrition Entrepreneurs Dietetic Practice Group, I am in awe of everyone’s accomplishments and proud to be part of this group of Registered Dietitians/Nutritionists who are passionate, driven, confident, successful, hardworking, resourceful and extremely creative. Those traits should define you, not undermine you, yet sometimes the feelings of self doubt and inadequacy get in the way of productivity and lead to negativity.

Even the most confident individuals experience failures, setbacks and rejection.

As a matter offact, seventy percent of us have already or will experience impostor syndrome. I have recently been asked to submit my qualifications for consideration for an award and as I was filling out the form, I could hear the words “not good enough,“there are many who have far more experience” and “not deserving” in my ear. It is important to work on ways to not join the

impostor syndrome roster and find ways to foster self-worth, self-support and self-care.

So what can we do?

Find the brilliance of resilience through continued learning, embracing new challenges and focusing on what we do contribute. It is not necessary to compare ourselves to others and self-berate, but rather find ways to challenge ourselves to be constructive with our thoughts andactions.

Be appreciative and grateful for past experiences and future opportunities and find ways to give on, give to and give back through mentoring.

Capitalize on your strengths but acknowledge and embrace weakness.

Be willing to put in the work; sweat equity gives us the experience to showcase our competence. Are there areas ofyour professional portfolio that could be broadened? Is there a topic you would like to tacklethat is out of your comfort zone?

We don’t get better if we focus solely on the things we do well. Our proficiency, relatability and creativity can increase when we broaden our reach. Dowe resonate with relevance, being inclusive with our messaging? Could we do better at

educating ourselves about inequity and disparity and find a way to reach across the aisles?

Find your you-nique: what do you bring to the table? Do you have a niche in content, approach or style? This is a self boost rather than boast. On social media channels, you may want to focus on the quality of your posts over the quantity of likes and followers.

The goal is not to be perfect but to find a way to fine-tune and hone your skills, clear the clutter and do what makes you feel engaged, not enraged.

Think about your inner circle. Do you surround yourself with those who build you up or tear you down? Ask for help and guidance if you feel that you have lost your way. We all need anurturing and safe space to share, swear, vent, discuss, brainstorm, listen and learn. Let’s find a way to build each other up for our mental and physical health as well as our professional well-being. #wenotme Leslie Bonci, MPH, RDN, CSSD, LDN, is the owner of Active Eating Advice by Leslie and the co-founder of Performance365. Her mission is to bring the evidence and fun to nutrition through communication and education to engage, empower and enlighten.

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Student & Seasoned Member Interview Maye Musk and Kelly Wetmore Seasoned Member and Student In this NE Ventures Student & Seasoned Member Interview, NE Member Resource Manager and student member, Kelly Wetmore, BS, CPT, interviews Maye Musk, MS, RDN. Maye Musk. MS, RDN, has run her own nutrition business for over 45 years in eight cities and three countries through speaking, consulting, counseling, writing and media work. She has served on professional associations in three countries: the first representative of the Consulting Dietitians of Southern Africa; president of the Consulting Dietitians of Canada; and chair of the Nutrition Entrepreneurs DPG, Academy of Dietetics and Nutrition. She also won the Outstanding Nutrition Entrepreneur Award in the USA. She was the first dietitian to be featured on a cereal box with her book, Feel Fantastic. She has been modeling since the age of 15 and had four billboards in Times Square in her 60s. Maye gives presentations as an entrepreneur, fashion icon and nutrition expert to numerous corporations, associations, hospitals and universities.

She is an ambassador for two nonprofits that fit into her two careers: Big Green, building vegetable and fruit gardens in underserved schools; and Dress for Success, a global not-

for-profit organization that has helped more than one million women achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, a variety of personal and professional development programs, and work attire.

internships is “to enjoy new experiences” and “learn from patients.” While it may be natural for interns to feel overwhelmed by the intensity of the experience, it is important to keep their focus on attaining new knowledge.

In a world where many entrepreneurs are quick to lose confidence due to impostor syndrome, Maye Musk’s approach to her professional life is fearless. Impostor Syndrome is a phenomenon in which one doubts her/his own accomplishments and has an internalized fear of being exposed as a “fraud.” In her recent book, A Woman Makes A Plan, Musk gives very practical advice - and that advice can actually also be applied to entrepreneurs facing impostor syndrome doubts. She writes, "If you are losing confidence, you have to find a reason why you are losing confidence."

If you do this self-checkup, you likely will find there was no actual reason for the initial doubt and will be able to continue forward with your marketing plan.

In keeping with her optimistic viewpoint, Musk is endorsing the fact that mindset is key. It is this positivity that allowed her to restart her career three separate times. At age 21, she started a nutrition practice in South Africa where there were few dietitians at the time so her advice was highly sought after. She successfully balanced seeing patients, managing and marketing her own business, as well as continuing to conduct new research.

After completing a Master of Science in dietetics, she moved to Canada and obtained a second master’s in nutritional science. She again successfully faced and overcame new challenges. Later, she moved to New York City and started all over again. She now travels all over the world giving advice on how to run your own business while balancing family and other challenges.

It’s no wonder she was awarded Outstanding Nutrition Entrepreneur for excellence in entrepreneurism and dedication to the field of nutrition.

According to Musk, “When you are giving sound nutrition advice, you have to be confident in yourself.”

When she was first starting out in her business, she made appointments with 100 doctors seeking referrals to her private practice and initially only four doctors sent her patients. She was not deterred; she said, “You have to accept rejection.” Ultimately, she was successful in every city she opened a practice in.

As a successful business woman, she is in a great position to offer advice to recent nutrition graduates. Her top tip to those just starting their dietetic

Kelly Wetmore, BS, PT, has a degree in health science with a nutrition concentration. She is completing her DPD requirements at the University of New Haven. She aspires to be a Registered Dietitian specializing in sports dietetics.

She’s a personal trainer running Kelly Fitmore LLC, an online nutrition and fitness business. Her passions include bodybuilding, lifting heavy and sports nutrition research basically living, eating and breathing nutrition 24/7.

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Impostor Syndrome: “Will the Real Nutrition Entrepreneur Please Stand Up?” Adam Lax, RDN, LDN NE Mentor Thirteen years ago, I started my entrepreneurial journey and it has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. However, the road has not been easy nor effortless. I had minimal business experience, feared failure, listened to the naysayers and wanted to quit before I even started. Self-doubt started to seep into my psyche reinforcing false statements, which did not define who I was. I would ask repeatedly, “Who am I to start a successful business?”

Even more self-doubt was building after missing a potential opportunity to meet a world-renowned celebrity, Wolfgang Puck.

I did not have a clear compass for the next step of the trek. With peace and acceptance, I discovered I suffered from a psychological phenomenon known as “impostor syndrome.”

Impostor syndrome is alive and real! It can develop at any time in our lives. There is research on various personal character flaws which tend to be non-serving drivers and may stagnate personal confidence and growth.

Since working with RDs in business, I have identified many pitfalls which keep them from stepping forward in being an entrepreneur. I ask these three questions to break down the character flaws of impostor syndrome.

1. What’s stopping you from moving forward? My answer: insecurity of how I see myself as a fraud.

2. What’s holding you back? (not the same as #1). My answer: insecurity from lack of support from family, friends and/or colleagues.

3. Where are you hiding out? My answer: non-productive activities and behavior which did not support positive business outcomes. It’s easier to go back to my previous position.

Based on my answers, I then developed a system to forge my business DNA to a level of daily practice. If one is to master any kind of technique, it is practiced over and over, as I do in martial arts. I find in my world that practice makes progress, not perfection. Here are the five steps to practice daily to keep impostor syndrome at bay:

1. Develop your own “code”- a nonnegotiable list of established positive belief practices. I developed my “code of the Nutripreneur.”

2. Answer the three questions, take inventory of internal and external personal flaws and formulate a strategy for change.

3. Implement for 90 days and course correct.

4. Continue for another 90 days+ for development and analysis.

5. Rinse and repeat (results may vary).

Remember to stay vigilant in the awareness process. The structure will come. Just keep in mind one question, “Will the real nutrition entrepreneur please stand up?”

Adam K. Lax, RDN, LDN, currently is president of RD4U, Inc. He has been in an RDN for over 28 years. As well as a private practitioner, he also coaches nutrition entrepreneurs in business with the Six Figure Nutripreneur System to show how to earn a six-figure-plus and sustainable income program in private practice. At the end of the day, Adam’s mantra is to leave his “nutritional blueprint to the planet” for all who seek health, vitality and prosperity.

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MEMBERS ON THE MOVE Nikki Nies, MS, RD, joined Food Consulting Company as “Entrepreneur in Residence” responsible for new food, labeling and regulatory programs. She secured continuing education status for webinars and self-study programs that she develops for the company. Her newest initiative - Food Label Insiders - is a membershipbased service that provides instant answers to everyday and challenging nutrition, labeling and regulatory questions with monthly office hours and a community discussion board. Visit insiders.foodlabels.com to learn more.

Susan Stalte, MBA, RD, is thrilled to announce the launch of NutriGig, a career coaching practice for new to mid-level dietitians and other healthcare professionals on the job hunt. Susan takes a personal branding approach to the job search to help you feel more confident as an applicant, have a clear direction of where you want to go, get clear on your sellable skills, and even support you as you build your side gig alongside your dream 9-5.

She can help to revamp your applicant marketing materials, teach you how to network in dietetics to build genuine relationships, get clear on your job search strategy and much more. Outside of NutriGig, Susan helps to run All Access Dietetics. Connect with Susan on LinkedIn or via email at susan@nutrigig.com.

Finally, the answer to that age-old question, “What should I cook for dinner (or any meal for that matter)?” ROLL A RECIPE by Roberta Schwartz Wennik, MS, RDN, is a unique cookbook that, with the roll of a die, helps you choose the recipe.

Then you roll again and select from a variety of ingredients. With just one recipe you can make dozens of variations. Visit rollarecipe.com and get a sample recipe to try. By the way, if you have children, get them involved. They’ll like the game-like approach, it will get them to try new things (especially those picky eaters), and they will learn that cooking can be fun.

Lauren O'Connor, MS, RDN, RYT, recently published her first book, The Healthy Alkaline Diet Guide. In the book, she uses evidencebased research to dispel myths and clear up misconceptions regarding the alkaline diet, while detailing how her whole food, plantbased diet plan can be beneficial, accessible and sustainable for overall health and vitality.

Katerina Vasilaki, RD, MMedSci, PhD, was recently featured as number one on the list of “The 11 Best Mediterranean Diet Ambassadors, Registered Dietitians & Nutritionists” of the Summer Edition of the Mediterranean Lifestyle magazine 2020 (@ the_mediterranean_lifestyle). She is a UK Registered Dietitian and lecturer in human nutrition at the University of Glasgow. In 2015, she founded The Mediterranean Dietitian,, a website dedicated to her love for Mediterranean food, and has been featured in the media such as the Sunday Mail and BBC news. You can find more about her on Instagram @themediterraneandietitian.

Lisa Carrigg, MS, RDN, APD, recently passed the accreditation process to practice dietetics in Australia where she currently lives, and is officially an APD and RDN. She has also opened the doors (virtually for now) at her private practice, Wander and Nourish, for the first time. Her passion is supporting individuals in their relationships with food, body and eating in a holistic way grounded in a non-diet and intuitive eating approach.

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Diversity is the Future of Dietetics Tessa Nguyen, RD, LDN In this Ventures Diversity Q&A, we connect with Tessa Nguyen, RD, LDN, the founder and principal of Taste Nutrition Consulting. She is a professionally trained chef and Registered Dietitian specializing in simple and accessible recipes, cultural inclusion and diversity advocacy. Tessa is based in South Korea. Follow along for her culturally diverse recipes on her blog or her YouTube channel, Tessa’s Table. Connect with her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Tell us a little about your background.

I’m a professionally trained chef and Registered Dietitian originally from North Carolina. I’m currently living and working in South Korea while I complete my graduate degree in urban education. I teach full-time in addition to running my business, Taste Nutrition Consulting. I specialize in creating content that is culturally sensitive, inclusive of heritage foods and promoting diversity.

How has your background enhanced your dietetic practice?

What is your definition of diversity and why it is important in the dietetics field?

My background as a multi-ethnic chef and Registered Dietitian of color has greatly influenced and enhanced my dietetic practice. This includes not only being able to know the MNT behind a specific nutrition issue, but how to practically apply the therapy in a delicious, culturally relevant recipe. In the beginning, I did not have the confidence to be outspoken and proud of how I was different from the average White dietitian. This included not capitalizing on my diverse training background as a professional chef and Registered Dietitian and not highlighting my diverse ethnic background. It’s taken some time and getting involved with Diversify Dietetics, but now I am a vocal advocate within our community to support, encourage and inspire dietetics students and dietitians of color.

My definition of diversity within dietetics means dietetics students and dietitians of color. This is incredibly important within our profession because more than eighty percent of dietitians identify as White females. This is in stark contrast to the roughly forty percent of Americans who identify as a minority. These two statistics do not match up, which means the current group of dietitians aren’t serving our communities as well as they could be.

How do you encourage people to honor the uniqueness of each individual?

Listen to them and their lived experiences.

We often hear people, but we don’t truly listen. Instead of thinking in your head how you’re going to respond to someone’s answer while she or he is talking, stop and truly listen.

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How do you challenge and promote sensitivity and inclusion in the dietetics field?

Through the work of my consulting business, Taste Nutrition Consulting, and through my work as a board member on behalf of Diversify Dietetics, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing the racial and ethnic diversity in the field of nutrition by empowering nutrition leaders of color. We aim to create a community for people of color in nutrition and dietetics through a number of programs including our nationwide meetups, mentor program, entrepreneurs’ workshop, podcast and webinar series, educators’ workshops, DICAS application support and social media channels.

How has diversity helped you in your job role?

How would having more diversity in dietetics providers improve our field?

Diversity within my job role as a chef and Registered Dietitian and as a person of color has helped me become a more empathetic, practiced and well-rounded chef, Registered Dietitian and teacher. It has also expanded the reach I have to be able to relate to my audience of color.

Having more diverse dietetics providers is crucial in our profession if we really want to advance and stay relevant in the healthcare field. To think it would only improve our field of practice is ignorant. It would greatly improve the level of care we provide, the clients we serve and the reach we have in the world overall.

What is one tip you have for others to be more culturally sensitive/aware?

Being culturally sensitive and aware doesn’t come from taking one course or from checking it off on your dietetic internship’s competencies sheet. This is an active, conscious and ongoing process that includes unlearning a lot of what we’ve been taught in our undergraduate and dietetic internship experiences. This is something even those of us who specialize in need to continue working, learning and educating ourselves in.

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Meet the NE Executive Committee ����������������� Chair: Nicole Rodriguez, RDN and certified personal trainer, resides in the metro New York area, where she offers in-home meal prep, small group training, and nutrition coaching. Additionally, Nicole serves as a communications consultant and as the in-house dietitian for NavaFit (an app that connects workout buddies across the country). A passionate Master of Beef Advocacy, she’s on an eternal quest for the best burger and sharing facts about the animal agriculture industry along the way.

Eager to make a positive impact on the next generation, Nicole recently took on the role as leader of her daughter’s Daisy Girl Scout Troop.

Chair-Elect: Amanda Sauceda, MS, RDN, CLT - Amanda loves pizza.

She has a running list of places that are her favorites and places that she wants to try. Her number-one pizza place used to be a luggage room in the golden days of Hollywood and has a fermented sourdough crust that is to die for.

Past Chair: Lisa Jones, MA, RDN, LDN, FAND, is a funny speaker and former stand-up comedienne. She is not just mildly amusing - she is really funny. Lisa was bitten by the comedy bug at a young age, entertaining her family at the dinner table with knock-knock jokes. Soon, she discovered SNL and would memorize bits and make her siblings perform them.

Today, you can find Lisa chasing after her two-year old daughter, and after volunteers to watch her daughter so she can perform improvisational, sketch and stand-up comedy again.

Treasurer: Brooke Fredrickson, RDN, LRD, CDE - Brooke is a business owner, speaker and writer.

She offers nutrition counseling and healthcare consulting services in rural North Dakota. Her passion is to help women overcome body image issues and rigid eating patterns through her faithbased approach. She loves to be outdoors, spend time with her family, and eat really good food.

Secretary: Kate Davis, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN, is the owner of RDKate Sports Nutrition where she helps athletes of all levels from recreational through Olympian. She lives with her husband, three children and dog on a Centennial Farm in Michigan, where she dabbles in vegetable gardening and canning and dreams about keeping farm animals (but doesn't really want any). She is always up for a good adventure or trying a new activity.

Director of Member Services: Jill Roberts, MCN, RDN and owner of Living Up Wellness, loves spending time outdoors and has recently moved back to her small hometown where her ever-expanding animals and garden keep her entertained and busy.

Director Elect of Membership Services: Allison Koch, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN, The Running Dietitian, is (unsurprisingly) passionate about running. It wasn't always that way. In elementary school, Allison came dead last in PE. Her father, a runner, encouraged her to keep trying.

By her senior year of high school, she was lapping her classmates. Inspired by her father, today Allison helps coach and pace runners as well as continues to race all over the world.

Education Coordinator: Edwina Clark, MS, RD, APD (Aus), CSSD - Edwina is the Head of Nutrition & Wellness at Yummly and the owner of edwinaclark.com.

Hailing from Sydney, Australia, Edwina is a sun-loving runner and world traveler with a sweet tooth.

Director of Mentor Services: Alissa Rumsey, MS, RD, CDN, CSCS - Alissa is the founder of Alissa Rumsey Nutrition and Wellness based in NYC. Through her writing, speaking and one-on-one coaching work, she helps people who are frustrated with dieting improve their relationships with food and their bodies. She has a passion for food and travel and more often than not can be found traveling around the world, laptop in tow.

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��������������������������������������� Member Resource Manager: Kelly Wetmore, BS, PT, has a degree in health science with a nutrition concentration. She is completing her DPD requirements at the University of New Haven. She aspires to be a Registered Dietitian specializing in sports dietetics. She’s a personal trainer running Kelly Fitmore LLC, an online nutrition and fitness business. Her passions include bodybuilding, lifting heavy and sports nutrition research - basically living, eating and breathing nutrition 24/7.

Delegate: Shelley A. Rael, MS, RDN – Delegate, author of The One-Pot Weight Loss Plan. A life-long learner, like most of us, Shelley wants to experience or try nearly everything at least once in her lifetime, from trying a new adventure or experience, mastering a new skill, and of course, having a variety of food experiences. Interested in trying something new? Shelley will join you.

Policy Advocacy Leader: Carly Siceloff, MS, RD, LDN, lives in Central Florida with her husband, two girls (Piper, age 3 & Stevie, age 2) and their dog, Bagel. When she is not working full-time in corporate wellness, you can find her at Disney or hanging by the pool. Her nutritional lifestyle is plantbased and dairy-free. For exercise, Carly is a yogi and a runner (currently training for her 2nd marathon in Chicago).

Reimbursement Chair: Nancy Farrell Allen, MS, RDN, FAND, Owner of Farrell Dietitian Services, eloped to the South Pacific Seas Cook Islands recently and embraced the island paradise. She loves the awakening of her senses at the beach - the blue waters, fresh air, varying breezes, salty undertones, and sound of the waves. You'll find her parasailing, snorkeling or charter boat fishing when she’s not sampling fresh coconut, mango or pineapple.

Director of Communications: Emily Merklen, MS, RDN - Emily works in nutrition communications and marketing. Emily loves to travel and experience new food and cultures. She can usually be found making food in her kitchen to share on @borntokale or at a boutique fitness studio engaging in joyful movement.

Newsletter Editor: Alena Kharlamenko, MS, RD, CDN, is the founder of alenamenko.com, a food and nutrition blog where she publishes healthful, plant-forward recipes and makes nutrition approachable with easily digestible information. She serves as a nutrition consultant for brands and is also a freelance writer. When not in front of her computer or recipe testing, she can be found hiking, exploring the outdoors or diving into the vast culinary scene that makes up New York City.

Incoming Newsletter Editor: Jessica Beardsley, MS, RD, LDN, is a nutrition and lifestyle counselor in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

She specializes in mindful eating and sports nutrition (her passions). Her idea of a perfect birthday involves a half-marathon followed by a beer and good food. When Jessica isn't running she's probably playing Just Dance on the Wii or reading with her two daughters.

CPE Coordinator: Cathy D'Orazio, MS, RDN, LDN - Cathy owns a private practice that specializes in sports, cardiovascular and wellness. She is dedicated to meeting her clients where they are in their health journeys and provides individualized nutrition plans that help each client define and attain her/his nutrition goals. Outside the office, Cathy enjoys spending time with her husband and family at the beach and travelling to cheer on one of her favorite sports teams.

Website Coordinator: Hailey Crean, MS, RD, CDE, CSOWM, is the founder of Hailey Crean Nutrition, LLC a telenutrition practice specializing in education and support for diabetes and metabolic syndrome. When not following her passion for working with clients and building her practice, Hailey loves to be outdoors and can be found taking weekend adventures in the New England area with her husband and two young kids.

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Meet the NE Executive Committee ����������������� Hub Manager: Kimberley RoseFrancis, RDN, LD, CDE - Kim is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and a Certified Diabetes Educator with close to a decade of clinical experience. She thinks of herself as a virtual cheerleader. Kim has two passions: the first of which is for students and dietetic interns. For this reason, Kim started a YouTube channel and has created step-by-step nutrition support videos and worksheets to help future dietitians accomplish their goals. Her second passion is for those newly diagnosed with diabetes or have uncontrolled diabetes and related complications. She has also created video resources for her clients and also provides nutrition counseling sessions to reach them health goals.

PR Marketing Coordinator : Gisela Bouvier, MBA, RDN, LDN, MIEP, is the owner of Gisela Bouvier Nutrition.

She has a passion for employee health and brings a Mindful and Instinctive Eating approach into the workplace. You can find Gisela working on her business daily, enjoying time with her family, or at the “barre” at least twice a week. Gisela has been teaching barre, a fun and ballet-inspired workout, for three years.

Social Media Coordinator: Kristina Hokenson, RDN, RYT 200, loves everything about exercise, yoga, mindfulness and running. She enjoys being a co-director for her local BIO Girls program, a self-esteem building group for young girls, and teaching goat yoga for local fundraisers. Kristina lives in Minot, North Dakota, with her husband Ryan, two kids Russ (7) and Nora (5), and labradoodle Iris.

Community Outreach Coordinator: Megan McFadden, RDN, CD - If she's not talking nutrition then you can find her giggling with her three little ones, or planning her next trip. With her passport at the ready, Megan is always up for a new adventure.

Director of Meetings: Stephanie Dorfmane, MS, RD - Stephanie is passionate about all things wellness, running outdoors, puppies, peanut butter, and spreading all of the joy. When she’s not at her corporate food service job, you can find her running (usually in Astoria or Central Park), baking challah, or laughing with family and friends. During the summer months, look for her at her favorite sleep-away summer camp, where her family still works and where her grandparents met. Stephanie loves being able to combine all her passions into her profession every day.

Incoming Director of Meetings: Kelli Shallal, MPH, RD, is the owner of Hungry Hobby LLC, a nutrition counseling and communicationsfocused business.

She is author of the blog Hungry Hobby and book Meal Prep for Weight Loss. Kelli doesn't believe that food can be "too sweet." Her favorite dessert is frosting of any flavor and type.

Member Awards: Lauren HarrisPincus, MS, RDN, NE Member Awards Coordinator, author of The ProteinPacked Breakfast Club and owner of NutritionStarringYOU.com - Are you a theater fan? I’ll chat about all things Broadway with you for as long as you’re willing. It’s my happy place and working as a media RD allows me to channel my inner theater kid. My favorite shows are Les Miz and Hamilton; what are yours?

Director of Sponsorships: Kristi Coughlin, MS, RDN, loves spreading happiness with her business Effect Positivity (verb): to bring about happy.

In her spare time, she can be found with her family by the lake, traveling or enjoying her favorite food pizza!

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�������������������������������������� Incoming Director of Sponsorship: Janine Faber, MEd, RDN, LD, is a nutrition communications consultant focusing on media communications, health professional outreach and community education.

She is often out with her two young kids exploring during the day and enjoying family meals with her whole family at night.

You can follow Janine on IG @janine.faber.nutrition.

Diversity Liaison: Caree Cotwright, PhD, RDN, is a wife and mom of three precious girls, a food lover and cook, and a childhood obesity prevention advocate.

She is passionate about using creativity to promote good nutrition and health. In addition to being a nutrition theater playwright and poet, she practices doing African dance and yoga to be her best self.

Nominating Committee Member: Rahaf Al Bochi, RDN, LD, is the owner of Olive Tree Nutrition and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

She loves to bake, explore local coffee shops, and spend time outdoors with her husband and new baby girl.

Nominating Committee: Danielle LaFata, MA, RD, CSSD, CLT - Danielle loves to be outdoors. When the weather is nice you can find her golfing, hiking, on her mountain or road bike or camping. She also loves to travel and has been to over 20 countries.

Nominating Committee: Beth Stark, RDN, LDN, is the manager of nutrition and lifestyle initiatives for a mid-Atlantic based supermarket chain and is based in central Pennsylvania. Beth fills her spare time with a variety of “side hustles”' including digital content creation or recipe development projects for clients, keeping up with her young (and active!) daughter or enjoying “lake life” with family and friends.

Executive Director: Lauri Egan, RDN, CPT - Lauri considers herself lucky to be constantly involved with today’s nutrition giants pushing the boundaries.

She dubs herself a connoisseur of great sunrises, dark chocolate and sidewalk chalk art. When not on the computer, she can be found strumming a guitar, creating impromptu workouts with her kids and, of course, cooking in the kitchen.

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Ventures

www.nedpg.org

Enterprising News & Ideas for Nutrition Entrepreneurs

Lauri Egan 6301 Snidercrest Rd Mason, OH 45040

On July 27 Lesli Bitel, NE Mentor, will be taking over the Nutrition Entrepreneurs Instagram!

Follow along at @nedpg

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