Executive Committee and Leadership Team

Leslie is a registered dietitian nutritionist, board certified specialist in sports dietetics, (CSSD), owner of Active Eating Advice by Leslie Bonci, Inc and co-founder of Performance365. She has a private practice and is the sports dietitian for the Kansas City Chiefs. Leslie also works as a consultant to industry. She was an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics spokesperson or 8 years and is a media trainer for the spokesperson program. She also teaches in the school of Dental Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and the Department of Athletic training at Duquesne University. Performance365 has developed a series of educational courses on the Medbridge platform. Leslie lectures nationally and Internationally on the topics of Misinformation, Performance Eating , Food insecurity in athletes and the Healing Plate. She is a wife, mother and grandmother and spends her free time being restored by the outdoors, rowing and strength training.

Melissa Maulding is an instructor, and dietetic internship coordinator at Eastern Illinois University (EIU). She earned her B.S. and M.S. in dietetics from EIU, and is a PhD candidate at Indiana Wesleyan University in the department of Organizational Leadership. Ms. Maulding’s research experiences include community nutrition education evaluation and assessment, and investigation of the impact of nutrition education programs, and community initiatives on family food insecurity. She is currently engaged in doctoral research investigating the influence of leaders on organizational creativity and innovation. Her professional experience provides many years of private public partner collaboration and delivery of community nutrition education. Ms. Maulding has received and managed multi-million dollar SNAP-Ed federal grants , as a result, she provided leadership to develop and implement community based programs and initiatives associated with grant guidance and federal directives. She led Purdue University Extension nutrition education and outreach efforts focused on nutrition education, and food security in limited resource audiences for 10 years. During that time she authored and co-authored numerous public health based extension programs and curricula. Currently, she instructs several of EIU’s Nutrition and Dietetics graduate courses including Leadership in Nutrition and Dietetics, Nutrition in Public Health, Social Media and Marketing in Nutrition, and Research Methods

Kaley is a Research Program Manager at Mayo Clinic, where she helps lead multi-center clinical trials investigating stroke prevention and post-stroke cognitive impairment. Kaley is also an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Central Florida and teaches Fundamentals of Human Nutrition. Kaley previously worked as a Research Scientist at the Public Health Institute, Education Specialist for Florida’s SNAP-Education Program, and Public School District Dietitian. Kaley is a triple Gator – she completed her B.S. in food science and human nutrition, M.S. and dietetic internship, and PhD in nutritional sciences from UF (go Gators!). Kaley is passionate about empowering individuals of all ages and backgrounds to adopt healthier lifestyle habits. In her spare time, Kaley enjoys spending time with her family, exercising, baking, binging Netflix, and cuddling with her two dogs and two cats.

Laura F. Thomas, MEd, RD, LD, FAND is an award-winning nutrition educator; she’s a past recipient of the NEP DPG Award of Excellence. She’s been an NEP member for nearly 40 years. She’s authored several training resources for the Institute of Child Nutrition and USDA Food and Nutrition Service focused on child nutrition programs (School Meals, Child Care), including Grow It! Try It! Like It!, a 5-part online training series on the Food Buying Guide, and child care and school nutrition resources and newsletters. Recently she authored the DASH Diet chapter of the Culinary Medicine Textbook, Part 3 The Diets. She’s a nationally known trainer for the Institute of Child Nutrition. She enjoys growing tomatoes for homemade marinara sauce and specializes in a variety of pies – her grandmother taught her to make the crust.

Gabby Zeagler, MS, RD, CDCES is an outpatient diabetes care specialist and clinical dietitian for a small hospital in Northern California. She works closely with patients who are managing chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, obesity, and many more. Gabby is up-to-date on current diabetes technology and eager to discover the next cutting-edge device to help better patient care. She also co-facilitates the Medical Weight Loss Management program in addition to teaching a free, monthly community health class on the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Aside from caring for her patients, Gabby enjoys cooking, live music, lifting weights and spending time with her rescue dog, Benji. She received her Bachelors in Nutritional Sciences from Texas Christian University and Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from California State University, Long Beach.

Kelly Taber, MS, RDN is the Director of Food Services and Clinical Registered Dietitian at Julia Temple Healthcare Center, a long term care facility, in Englewood, CO. She is also an Adjunct Instructor at University of Maryland Global Campus teaching courses on basic nutrition and environmental sustainability. Kelly grew up in Long Beach, CA, and lived in Honolulu for 12 years where her nutrition journey began. She received my Bachelors in Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences at Cal State University at Long Beach, where she also completed her dietetic internship. Kelly has been an active member of NEP DPG for 10 years and has served as the Twitter Coordinator, Student Representative, Website Assistant, Nominating Committee Member and now serves as the Nominating Committee Chari and Website Coordinator. Kelly recently moved to Colorado with her husband after getting married in June 2023. In her spare time, she loves to bake, watch movies, take her cats for walks and travel!

Carol Sloan is a registered dietitian/nutritionist and consultant with expertise in food and nutrition communications and food service management. Carol retired in February 2023 from the position of Health Research Director for the California Walnut Commission where she led project implementation and oversaw active research studies internationally and domestically since 2000. Carol collaborated with the public relations and marketing departments to translate this scientific research for broader audiences, including consumers and health professionals. She is a freelance journalist specializing in delivering scientifically sound, realistic information all about food, nutrition and health and is nutrition consultant to several healthcare facilities in southern California. Carol currently serves as a delegate to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She has also served on the Executive Board for the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and is an active member of many Academy Dietetic Practice Groups (DPG) including Public Health/Community Nutrition and Dietitians in Business and Communications. She is currently the editor of the Nutrition Education for the Public (NEP) DPG newsletter. She received both the Excellence in Private Practice, Business & Communications Award and the Distinguished Service Award from the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the 2022 NEP DPG Outstanding Member Award. Carol serves as a preceptor to the Individualized Supervised-Practice Pathway Program at California State University, San Bernardino and the master’s Dietetic Internship at California State University, Long Beach.

Henna earned her doctorate in Nutrition Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2009-2012), where she also received post-doctoral training (2013-2014). She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Nutrition Science from the University of Cincinnati. She completed her dietetic internship at Loyola University and has been a registered dietitian since January 2008. Currently, she is an Associate Professor and Eating Disorders and Obesity Certificate Facilitator in the School of Health Studies at Northern Illinois University. Henna specializes in community nutrition and public health research. She has worked with populations of various ages, diverse health and nutrition issues, and in different research settings. She has discovered a niche in conducting obesity-related interventions in schools and health disparities research in the community. She is proficient in conducting both qualitative and quantitative research studies. Her health promotion programs are framed within behavioral change theories. She has also been engaged in developing, instructing, and co-teaching community nutrition, research methods, and health disparities research courses. For professional service, she serves as the Awards Committee Chair of the Nutrition Education & Behavioral Sciences Research Interest Section of the American Society for Nutrition, and the Communications Committee Chair for the Nutrition Education for Public Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Since 2016, she has also served as the Outreach Coordinator for a food pantry, Friends of Champaign County Food Pantry, in Urbana, IL. Currently, she serves on the board of directors for Elmhurst Yorkfield Food Pantry and as the research consultant for Northern Illinois Food Bank. Henna is the recipient of the Outstanding Leadership Award in March 2018 from the Friends of Champaign County Food Pantry, 2019 Early Career Award from the Nutrition Education & Behavioral Science Research Interest Section of the American Society for Nutrition, Nutrition Education for Public Award of Excellence from the Nutrition Education for Public Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in June 2021, and Fisher Award for Excellence in Service from the College of Health and Human Sciences by Northern Illinois University in May 2022. In April 2020, she was recognized as the Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Veruska is a Public Health Nutritionist with the department of Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in sunny South Florida. Currently, she is working on completing her Master of Science degree in dietetics with a concentration in Professional Studies through the University of North Florida as well as completing her Certified Lactation Consultant certification. Veruska is passionate about the role of dietitians in community and women empowerment. She hopes to one day design her own health promotion and nutrition intervention community programs. In her spare time, Veruska loves to try new cuisines, practice yoga and scout out the best doughnut places around town.

Vivian Haley-Zitlin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences at Clemson University, in Clemson, SC. She is actively involved in the teaching of undergraduate and graduate nutrition and food science students and in leading student research teams’ outreach and educational projects.

Her research activities primarily focus on the influences of food components and exercise on physiological functioning and the relationships between food choices and nutrition knowledge on overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk.

Vivian served as the South Carolina Public Policy Coordinator and is actively involved with the South Carolina Dietetic Association.

Her training as an NIA Postdoctoral Fellow in the Nutritional Gerontology Program, Departments of Physiology and Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio TX and the receipt of her PhD from the University of Tennessee, along with her Clemson University appointment have significantly increased the color orange in her wardrobe.

Carol Sloan is a registered dietitian/nutritionist and consultant with expertise in food and nutrition communications and food service management. Carol retired in February 2023 from the position of Health Research Director for the California Walnut Commission where she led project implementation and oversaw active research studies internationally and domestically since 2000. Carol collaborated with the public relations and marketing departments to translate this scientific research for broader audiences, including consumers and health professionals. She is a freelance journalist specializing in delivering scientifically sound, realistic information all about food, nutrition and health and is nutrition consultant to several healthcare facilities in southern California. Carol currently serves as a delegate to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She has also served on the Executive Board for the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and is an active member of many Academy Dietetic Practice Groups (DPG) including Public Health/Community Nutrition and Dietitians in Business and Communications. She is currently the editor of the Nutrition Education for the Public (NEP) DPG newsletter. She received both the Excellence in Private Practice, Business & Communications Award and the Distinguished Service Award from the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the 2022 NEP DPG Outstanding Member Award. Carol serves as a preceptor to the Individualized Supervised-Practice Pathway Program at California State University, San Bernardino and the master’s Dietetic Internship at California State University, Long Beach.

Maureen Ternus, MS, RDN is a registered dietitian and consultant with over 30 years’ experience in nutrition communications. She is the Executive Director of the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research & Education Foundation (INC NREF) and was involved in securing the first FDA qualified health claim for nuts and heart disease in the U.S. She currently oversees INC NREF’s health research projects, develops their nutrition education materials, coordinates various professional and consumer outreach programs and serves as their national spokesperson. Maureen possesses unique skills, including the ability to translate health and nutrition information into laymen’s terms for dissemination to the public. She is co-author of, “The Everything Vitamin, Mineral and Nutritional Supplements Book,” and has written for such publications as Veggie Life and Healthy Kids magazines and Environmental Nutrition newsletter. She has authored papers in publications including The Journal of the American Dietetic Association and Nutrition Today. For 30 years she has been a co-editor of Networking News, a publication of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ practice group, Nutrition Education for the Public. Prior to working with INC NREF, she was an integral member of the food and healthcare account teams at Ketchum Public Relations’ offices in New York and San Francisco. Maureen received a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and Food Administration from Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, California, and a Master of Science in Nutrition Communications from Boston University. She worked as a clinical dietitian at Fresno Community Hospital and Medical Center in California before receiving her graduate degree.

Amy is an Associate Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator in Health Education and Behavior at the University of Florida (UF). She is a nutrition educator and registered dietitian with expertise in community nutrition research and outreach specifically related to nutrition education and obesity prevention in underserved populations. She received her Ph.D. in Nutrition from the University of Maryland, a M.S. in Human Nutrition from The Ohio State University where she also completed a dietetic internship, and a B.S. in Applied Nutrition from The Pennsylvania State University. She has served in several prior leadership positions for the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, American Society for Nutrition, and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Weight Management DPG, and is a past recipient of the Nutrition Education for the Public Award for Excellence from the Nutrition Education for the Public DPG. In her ‘spare’ time, she enjoys running, hiking, visiting beaches and Florida theme parks with her husband and two children, and training her newly adopted puppy named Rocky.

Currently, I am a Senior Lecturer and the DPD director in the Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Science Department at Clemson University. I was promoted to Senior Lecturer in May 2022 and appointed DPD Director in June 2021. My appointment date at Clemson University began on August 1, 2017. Teaching, advising, and service are my shared responsibilities within my appointment. My courses being taught at Clemson include Quantity Foods Production, Food and Culture, Principles of Human Nutrition, Nutrition across the Life Cycle, Nutrition for Nursing, Professionals in Dietetics, and Nutrition Counseling. I also advise 150-200 students for pre-registration within the Human Nutrition department during the academic year. During the summer, I advise freshman and transfers student at Summer Orientation. I also advised for MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences) organization in the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences and the Mentoring Program in the Human Nutrition department. Before my employment began at Clemson University, I taught at South Carolina State University for one academic year. Some of the courses included Food Service Management, Meal Management, Advanced Nutrition, Community Nutrition, Food Science, and Maternal and Child Nutrition.

My teaching experience derives from Georgia College and State University (GCSU) as an adjunct instructor where I taught clinical nutrition for the Nursing department and basic nutrition courses for the Kinesiology department for a total of seven years, including two semesters of online nutrition courses. In addition, my teaching experience includes undergraduate level courses, such as Life Span Nutrition, Seminar in Nutrition, Medical Nutrition Therapy, and Maternal and Child Nutrition at Fort Valley State University (FVSU) for six years as an adjunct instructor.

Furthermore, I have 15 years of clinical experience in renal dietitian, long-term care, and consulting.  My degrees include a BS Degree in Food and Nutrition (Dietetics), and MS degree in Food and Nutrition from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. I completed my Dietetic Internship at Southern Regional Medical Center.  I am licensed to practice in Georgia and South Carolina. Also, I have earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Phoenix. My Dissertation was titled “Promoting & Motivating Middle School Children to Develop Healthy Eating Habits: A Case Study on Middle School Educator’s Perceptions”.

As for leadership positions, I served the role as Past Immediate Chair from 2020-2021. I completed my term as Chair for NEP DPG serving from 2019-2020. I served as Chair-Elect for NEP DPG serving from 2018-2019. From 2017-2018, I served as Membership Chair of NEP DPG and served as Nominating Chair from 2016-2017. I have also served as the Nominating Chair for the Georgia Nutrition Council from 2015-2016. Currently, I am on the nominating committee for 2023-2024.

Gail is a Professor of Nutrition and Director of an Accredited Internship at California State University Long Beach graduating 343 RDNs into the profession since 1989. She was Co-Principal Investigator for the ‘Women’s Health Initiative’ at the University of California, Irvine, from 1994 to 2005. In 2000 she founded “Students Active in Community Health’ at CSULB to focus on health of the 5th most diverse community in the U.S. From 2012-2017 Gail was Co-Project Director of a USDA-funded community grant developing a nutrition and health promotion program for Latinos in Long Beach.

Before moving to California, Gail was President of the New Orleans Dietetic Association and co-founded the Greater New Orleans Nutrition Specialists when an Assistant Professor at LSU Medical Center. She designed and implemented the dietary studies of the Bogalusa Heart Study from 1972 until 1987. From 2003 to 2019, Gail served on the Academy Wt. Mgt. Certificate Program Faculty for ‘Child and Adolescents Weight Management’ training speaking on ‘Motivational Interviewing’ and ‘Cultural Competence.’

She is a Certified Health Education Specialist, past Treasurer of the Women’s Health DPG and past Chair of the Nutrition Research DPG. She was a Spokesperson for the Academy for 19 years serving in New Orleans and Los Angeles. Gail received the Trinko Service Award from the Latino and Hispanic MIG and an Academy Medallion Award in October, 2019.

Bethany Daugherty, MS, RDN, LD is the Program Coordinator for the Nutrition and Wellness division of OneOp, a learning network with the Department of Defense and the United States Department of Agriculture. She collaborates with subject matter experts to provide professional development for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, Extension Educators and other providers serving military families. Bethany graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition, completed her dietetic internship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and graduated from Purdue University with a Master of Science in Nutrition Science. She has served in leadership roles for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the Indiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Southeast Indiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Brittany Docherty graduated from the Nutritional Science MS/DI program at Cal State University, Long Beach in 2023. She received her Post Bac Nutritional Science Certificate from Cal State University Los Angeles and obtained her B.A. in Biopsychology with a minor in Spanish and Spanish American Studies at Mills College in Oakland, CA. Brittany also serves on the Professional Education Committee for DPG-NEP, as a student member. Brittany previously worked with Melissa’s Healthy Living, creating children’s menus and adult newsletters about nutrition and healthy habits. Brittany is passionate about helping her community learn about nutrition. Brittany volunteered and participated in research in the Emergency Department at LAC+USC Medical Center. She witnessed first-hand how nutrition impacts chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. As a research assistant, Brittany interviewed patients about demographics and social determinants of health and was able to present her abstract at the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Meeting in 2015. Brittany has a passion for sports and was a student-athlete at Mills College. After graduation, she coached school-aged children in volleyball and swimming. Brittany loves sports and hopes to work with her community to create nutrition and sports- based physical education programs focused on creating sustainable healthy long-term habits. In 2022, she worked with UCLA’s Performance Nutrition Volunteer Sports Internship to learn more about sports nutrition. Her thesis research on “Meal Planning and Preparation Cooking Intervention for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)” was presented at the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (CAND) 2023 Annual Conference poster session and CSULB’s week of research. She received the Dean’s Award from CSULB in 2023 for her contributions to the CSULB nutrition department. This past summer, Brittany continued her thesis research and taught cooking and nutrition classes to adults with ASD. She hopes to continue her work with the neurodivergent population in the future.

Alyssa Pike is a Registered Dietitian and nutrition communications expert with six years of experience elevating credible science, managing multiple programmatic efforts simultaneously, and counseling a variety of audiences. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition at Pennsylvania State University and dietetic internship with an emphasis in Nutrition Informatics through the University of Maryland. Alyssa currently works for the International Food Information Council where she is tasked with improving public perception of nutrition through nutrition translation and consumer research. Additionally, she owns the blog and private practice Gratefully Nourished, where she enjoys helping people expand their definition of health and encouraging them to make nourishing, satisfying and enjoyable food choices. She previously worked alongside clients at an eating disorder outpatient center to help them make peace with food and their body. All her efforts serve one ultimate end: she cares deeply about helping people make thoughtful and healthful food and nutrition decisions without fear or shame.

Kelly Taber, MS, RDN is the Director of Food Services and Clinical Registered Dietitian at Julia Temple Healthcare Center, a long term care facility, in Englewood, CO. She is also an Adjunct Instructor at University of Maryland Global Campus teaching courses on basic nutrition and environmental sustainability. Kelly grew up in Long Beach, CA, and lived in Honolulu for 12 years where her nutrition journey began. She received my Bachelors in Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences at Cal State University at Long Beach, where she also completed her dietetic internship. Kelly has been an active member of NEP DPG for 10 years and has served as the Twitter Coordinator, Student Representative, Website Assistant, Nominating Committee Member and now serves as the Nominating Committee Chari and Website Coordinator. Kelly recently moved to Colorado with her husband after getting married in June 2023. In her spare time, she loves to bake, watch movies, take her cats for walks and travel!

Lis David, is a Junior obtaining her B.S. in Dietetics and Human Nutrition at Kansas State University as a distance student, from home in Ventura, California. At Kansas State she serves on the board of the Distance Student Dietetics Association (DSDA) as Planning Coordinator. Lis grew up in College Park, MD and Washington, D.C. and started a 20-year career in Hospitality and Culinary Arts working for chefs Josè Andrès and Michel Richard. She moved to Chicago, IL to partake in City Year, a National Service program, volunteering as a literacy educator and after-school program coordinator.  In Chicago, she obtained her A.A.S in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management from Kendall College and spent her time there managing restaurants for chef Shawn McClain. She moved to Whidbey Island with her husband and worked as sous chef for Orchard Kitchen. In 2018 she studied the art of Italian Cooking in Castel D’Ario, Italy as an apprentice at Trattoria Stazione and returned to open her own catering and private chef business, Magical Feast. In 2023 she and her husband and their dog, Abby, moved to Ventura, CA to be closer to family. She aspires to obtain an MPH and her credential as an RD. Her goal is to work in the field of Culinary Medicine and Food as Medicine, teaching community nutrition programs. In her spare time, she loves to cook for her friends and family, surf, and travel.