Who We Are

Rye Brook, New York

Deanna Brandstetter is vice president of nutrition and wellness at Compass Group North America, a global foodservice company where she has worked since 1996. Deanna is the author of numerous scientific journal articles and book chapters and is a frequent speaker to professional and consumer groups. Within the Academy, Deanna was a member of the Restaurant Nutrition Labeling, Sustainable Food Systems and Big Data task forces; member of the Foundation’s Scholarship Selection and Diversity committees; and chaired the Nominating Committee and the Dietitians in Business and Communications dietetic practice group. She is co-chair of the Culinary Institute of America’s Healthy Menu R&D Collaborative and a member of CIA’s Society of Fellows. Deanna is a member of the International Well Building Institute Nourishment Concept advisory board and a past board member of the National Meals on Wheels Foundation and the American Heart Association’s Industry Nutrition Advisory Panel. Deanna is a graduate of Miami University and earned an MBA from Pace University.

Lexington, Kentucky

Amanda Goldman is an accomplished leader in the health care industry with many years of experience. In her current role as the system vice president of Food and Nutrition Services at CommonSpirit Health, Amanda leads the overall foodservice & clinical nutrition operations for their national program. Previously, she was the healthcare industry sales strategist at Gordon Food Service. Prior to that role, Amanda was the system director of the Catholic Health Initiatives Food & Nutrition Services national program. During that time, she also served as the director of diabetes and nutrition care for CHI Saint Joseph Health.

In addition to serving as the current treasurer-elect, Amanda is the affiliate partnership director of the Dietitians in Business and Communications dietetic practice group. She is the past vice chair of the Academy’s Member and Student Advisory Committee; past director of business development and past chair of the Management in Food and Nutrition Systems dietetic practice group; and past president of the Kentucky Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Amanda also served on the God’s Pantry Food Bank Board of Directors for six years and recently completed her tenure as Board President. Amanda is a graduate of Miami University and earned a master’s degree at the University of Kentucky.

Naples, Florida

Laramee is a former chair of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation and  President of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She has served as chair of the Ethics Committee of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and served as a member of the 2018 Code of Ethics Task Force. She has served as a member of the Commission on Dietetics Registration and chaired the CDR Workforce Demand Study Task Force. She has served as chair of the Board of Directors for the Academy's Political Action Committee, Director-At-Large on the Academy's Board of Directors, President of the Massachusetts Dietetic Association and Chair, Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group. In her role as a member of the Academy and the Academy’s Foundation Board of Directors, she has chaired numerous committees for the organizations.

In recognition of her leadership, professional achievements and mentoring, Susan was the recipient of the Academy's prestigious Medallion Award, Outstanding Dietitian of the Year in Massachusetts, and Distinguished Alumni Award from the Falk College at Syracuse University.

She completed her B.S. degree at Syracuse University, Syracuse N.Y., M.S. degree at Boston University, Boston, Mass., and is a graduate of the Dietetic Internship at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass.

She is currently retired after a lengthy career in dietetics in which she served in leadership roles in both clinical nutrition and food management, human resources and talent acquisition. Current volunteer activities are focused on community hunger programs and philanthropy.

Fernandina Beach, Florida

Eileen Myers is currently a nutrition and healthcare consultant to business and industry after retiring as Vice President, Retail Dietetics & Nutrition Solutions for The Little Clinic, a Kroger Co retail healthcare company. Prior to this role, Eileen was Vice President of Affiliations and Patient Centered Strategies for The Little Clinic, responsible for the development and management of clinical partnerships between clinics and nationally recognized health systems throughout the country. Eileen has been a speaker, writer, and consultant with over 40 years expertise in obesity and eating disorders, and effective behavior change strategies.

San Bernardino, California

Chen-Maynard is a Professor in the Department of Health Science and Human Ecology at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). She has served as the Director of the ACEND accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) since 1992 and established the Individualized Supervised-Practice Pathway (ISPP) Program at CSISB. She became a Registered Dietitian/ Nutritionist in 1981 and has been active in the dietetic professional organization from the district to national levels. As an educator and activist, she encourages students and dietetic professionals to become a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) and volunteer at any capacity that they can. Members strengthen the organization as well as to promote the functions and provide service to other health professionals and the public. Providing support to students and interns will help them to be successful in their journey to become great dietetic professionals.

North Andover, Massachusetts

Tina Sergi is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with a  passion for performance nutrition and research. As an Active Duty Army RD, Tina serves as the Assistant Chief of the Nutrition Education and Research Department at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Throughout Tina’s dietetics career, she has been an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. In 2020, Tina was selected as a Student Member for the Member and Student Advisory Committee. Since then, she has been involved in the Early Career Outreach Council, is serving as the Maryland affiliates’ Public Relations Chair, and has been a member of multiple Dietetic Practice Groups and Member Interest Groups. During her academic career, Tina was selected as a recipient of the Foundation’s Annette Rachman scholarship.

Tina earned her Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of New Hampshire and her Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences and Dietetic Internship at Oklahoma State University.

Chicago, Illinois

Wylecia Wiggs Harris has oversight of all entities under the Academy’s umbrella, including management of approximately 170 employees. She has responsibility for managing nearly $55 million in revenue (including investment returns), $34 million in operating expense and nearly $97 million in total assets; and directing the Academy’s extensive and influential national and international initiatives in consumer education, nutrition science research and advocacy and public policy. Wylecia also serves as the CEO of the Academy’s Foundation.

Prior to becoming Academy CEO, Wylecia was the CEO of the American Health Information Management Association, leading the organization’s domestic and international transformation with a focus on expanding its influence and impact. From 2015 to 2018, Wylecia was the chief executive officer of the League of Women Voters U.S. From 2010 to 2015, Wylecia worked at the American Nurses Association Enterprise as chief of staff/special projects officer, and then as COO. Previously, Wylecia was the executive director of the Center for American Nurses; executive director of Sister to Sister—Everyone Has a Heart Foundation; senior vice president/executive director at the American Heart Association Mid-Atlantic Region; and held leadership roles at the American Heart Association national office.

Wylecia serves on the Northwest Community Hospital (Arlington Heights, Ill.) Foundation Board of Trustees. She is co-chair of the foundation’s Scholarship Committee and a member of the foundation’s Executive Committee.

Certified by the American Society of Association Executives, Wylecia was named one of 2021’s Top Diversity Leaders by Modern Healthcare, as well as one of the publication’s 10 Diversity Leaders to Watch. In 2022, Modern Healthcare recognized her on its Top Women Leaders list, and the Chicago Defender honored her as part of its 2022 Class of Women of Excellence.

Wylecia is a graduate of Wittenberg University. She earned a master of management degree in marketing, health services management and business policy from Northwestern University and a doctorate in organizational management with leadership specialization from Capella University.

Irvine, California

Linda is a registered dietitian nutritionist with extensive experience in the clinical practice of adult medical weight management, multidisciplinary obesity treatment teams, and worksite wellness. She is the former Director of the Weight Management Program at the University of CA, Irvine. Additional professional experiences include corporate wellness, nutritional support, academic appointments, and community education.

Linda values service and has a strong sense of responsibility to give back to our profession. She was elected as a Commissioner to the Commission on Dietetic Registration in 2016-2019, serving as CDR Chair in 2018-2019. She was engaged in the development of the interprofessional Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management (CSOWM) credential. She has been involved with the Diabetes DPG, Weight Management DPG, serving in several roles, including Chair, and the Academy Honors Committee.  She currently serves on the Board of Editors for the Academy’s Nutrition Care Manual. She is a moderator for CDR’s Obesity Interventions course and is the co-editor for the Health Professional’s Guide to Weight Management.

In 2021 she was awarded the Medallion Award by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She is also a recipient of the Excellence in Weight Management Practice Award by the Weight Management Dietetics Practice Group in 2017 and the CA Outstanding Dietitian of the Year Award in 2018.

Linda holds a master’s degree in nutrition education from the University of Delaware.

Findlay, Ohio

Erin Fitzgerald has been at the forefront of working and understanding how to build collaborative relationships in the sustainability, climate change, and agriculture industries—working with global leaders to support “climate-smart” agriculture. In her career as a sustainability thought leader, Fitzgerald has built the case for agriculture as the solution for the environment based on science and business models. She’s led multi-stakeholder engagement programs to bring unique stakeholders, ranging from “farm-to-fork” to finance, in building new business models and working together towards “2030- The Decade of Agriculture.” Developing thought leadership positioning and unique storytelling through digital and film—with the goal of creating inclusive dialogue for food and agriculture stakeholders to develop sustainable food systems for the 21st century.

Fitzgerald was honored to receive the White House Champion of Change Award for Sustainable and Climate-Smart Agriculture, which recognizes individuals who make significant contributions to promoting sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices in the United States. Additionally, she was selected as an Aspen Institute First Movers Fellow, a Crain's Chicago 40 Under 40 recipient, and has served on various boards, including the Food Waste Reduction Alliance, the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, and the National Agriculture Water Quality Assessment. She advised the Keystone Group Bioenergy review and was an expert in residence at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Her profile is featured in several books, including “Better Planet: Forty Big Ideas for a Sustainable Future,” “Force of Nature: the Unlikely Story of Walmart’s Green Revolution,” and “Green Recovery.” As a frequent keynote speaker, she has the privilege of addressing audiences at high-profile conferences such as the UN Food Systems Summit, COP, the White House, and the World Economic Forum. Fitzgerald is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame where she is currently serving on the advisory board for the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership.

Rockport, Maine

Marcy Kyle is a Licensed Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist and Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics with more than 25 years’ experience in nutrition, and diabetes prevention and management. As Maine Health’s Regional Director of Nutrition and Diabetes Services, she coordinated the Centers of Disease Control Pen Bay Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program, and Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. She continues to provide virtual DPPs and Nutrition Programs for Penobscot Bay YMCA and Fruit Street Health and telehealth for Eastport Health Care a Federally Qualified Health Center.

In addition to her professional responsibilities, she is a volunteer member of the Diabetes Action Alliance of Maine. Marcy is past Speaker of the Academy’s House of Delegates and currently serves as Chair for the Nutrition Services Payment Committee. In addition, she served on the Academy’s House Leadership Team and Board of Directors 2012-2015, the Nutrition Services Payment Committee in 2013, and the Evidence-Based Practice Committee 2012-2014. As vice-chair of the Council on Future Practice, she co-authored the Academy’s "Visioning Report 2017: A Preferred Path Forward for the Nutrition and Dietetics Profession."

Committed to helping guide public policy on nutrition, Marcy meets with national and state legislators as well as with top agency officials. She is a past member of the Academy’s Legislative Public Policy Committee and served as the Maine Academy’s State Policy Representative. She partnered with Academy staff to secure the support of Senator Susan Collins of Maine as the MNT Act 2020 bill champion and was highlighted in Senator Collin’s remarks to Congress now housed in the United States Congressional Record for her work as a registered dietitian nutritionist to improve nutrition care across all levels of the continuum of care. Marcy is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.

Wake Forest, North Carolina

Manju Karkare is President and CEO of Nutritionally Yours LLC, a private practice providing individualized integrative and functional nutrition counseling for prevention and wellness, weight management and gut health as well as corporate wellness culinary demos.

She has served our profession at state affiliate, Dietetic Practice Groups/Member Interest Groups as well as national level, including serving as the Treasurer of the Academy Board of Directors. Currently she serves as a member of the Policy and Payment Committee of the Academy. She continues to serve in a variety of appointed positions with several Dietetic Practice Groups. She is the recipient of Diversity Leader Award from the Academy (2012), Outstanding Dietitian award from the North Carolina affiliate (2018), Excellence in Service Award from Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine DPG (2021) and Community Champion Award from Cabot Community Collaborative (2019).

A nationally recognized leader and speaker, Karkare has an activist spirit. Whether advocating for professional licensure, Medical Nutrition Therapy coverage, Medicaid expansion or women's rights and social equity, her passion is fueled by her belief in equitable human rights. She truly enjoys spreading the activism among our colleagues, students, and interns.

Karkare has served in leadership roles for Meals on Wheels of Wake County, Lillian’s List of North Carolina, Girl Scouts North Carolina Coastal Pines Council, Cary Academy and NC Asian Americans Together boards of directors and continues to serve Vice Chair of NC Child.

She is a graduate of SNDT University, Pune, India and she earned her Master of Science in Nutrition from University of Kentucky.

Jacksonville, Florida

Cathy Christie is Associate Dean and Professor Emerita in the Brooks College of Health at the University of North Florida. She was named the University’s Distinguished Professor in 2017. From 1988 to 1996, by appointment of the governor of Florida, Christie chaired the state’s Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Council of the Agency for Health Care Administration, supervising activities of the council regarding licensure of dietitians and nutritionists. She has published dozens of research papers and book chapters on the prevention and treatment of excess weight and obesity; nutrition in chronic disease prevention; and interprofessional collaboration in education and health care.

Christie is the past editor of the Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Manual of Medical Nutrition Therapy. In her lengthy service to the Academy, Christie chaired the Member Sponsor Review Committee, Professional Development Committee and Nominating Committee; served on the Licensure, Scope of Practice and Competition Work Group and the Publications Committee; served several terms in the House of Delegates; chaired the Nutrition Counseling Task Force and the Ethics Committee; and is a past president of the Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Christie received a 2022 Academy Medallion Award, a 2010 Excellence in Practice in Dietetic Education Award and the 2007 Outstanding Dietetic Educator Award.

Christie is a graduate of Florida State University, where she also earned a master’s degree and doctorate in nutrition and dietetics.

Green Bay, Wisconsin

Karen graduated from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, completed a dietetic internship at the University of Michigan Hospitals in Ann Arbor, Mich. and received a Master’s in Dietetics from Mt. Mary College in Milwaukee, Wisc. She is currently retired as the former Director of Dietetic Programs from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay where she developed the initial dietetic internship. She also has experience as a clinical dietitian in primary care.

Ms. Lacey’s extensive leadership activities include president of the Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a member of the Academy’s Association Position Committee, a board member of the former Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education (CADE) and member of the Academy’s House of Delegates where she chaired the Quality Management Committee and the work group that developed the Nutrition Care Process and Model (NCPM). She has also served on the Commission for Dietetic Registration (CDR) and chaired the Competency Assurance Panel (CAP); a subcommittee of CDR that oversees the Professional Continuing Education for registered dietitians and dietetic technicians. Karen has been a frequent speaker at FNCE and has conducted many training webinars for both practitioners and students. Karen most recently chaired the Academy’s Ethics committee.

Her awards and recognitions include: The Academy’s Outstanding Dietetic Educator Award for both Didactic Programs and Dietetic Internships, the Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Outstanding Dietitian and the Academy’s Medallion Award.

Birmingham, Alabama

Miles is associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Alabama School of Medicine, in the Division of Adolescent Medicine.  She is also the director of the UAB Leadership Education in Pediatric Nutrition Program; a training grant funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau to train professionals and students in pediatric nutrition and maternal and child health.

Dr. Miles has over 30 years of experience in pediatric nutrition and her expertise has focused on child and adolescent obesity, nutrition challenges of children with disabilities, feeding problems in children with autism and special needs, and management of eating disorders in children and adolescents.