Board Members 2020-2021

 

President: Maja Hickman, MS, RD

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2020 - May 31st 2021

 

Elected/Appointed: Elected

 

For the SVAND Job Description, click here.

For the VAND official District President Job Description, click here

 

Maja is the owner of FoodCure Nutrition Counseling, LLC, a private nutrition counseling practice located in Blacksburg, VA. She also works as a clinical dietitian for Healthcare Services Group in several long-term care facilities across southwest Virginia.  Maja holds Master and Bachelor degrees in Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise. She completed a dietetic internship at Virginia Tech and has previously served as a PR and Media Chair for SVAND, and student liaison for AND and SVAND. Maja is a certified yoga and pilates instructor with a passion for an integrative and functional approach to nutrition and wellness.  She enjoys spending time on the lake and hiking with her family, practicing yoga, reading, and traveling. 

President-Elect: TBD

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2020 - May 31st 2021

 

Elected/Appointed: Elected

 

For the Job Description, click here

 

 

Treasurer: Carol King, RD

Term: 2 years - June 1st 2020 - May 31st 2022

 

Elected/Appointed: Elected

 

For the Job Description, click here

 

Carol is currently employed at Catawba Hospital as their food service director and geriatric dietitian. Previous employment includes Consulate Long Term Healthcare, HeadStart and Sysco. Originally graduating from Virginia Tech with a B.S in Family & Child Services, she returned to complete the nutritional core curriculum and internship program. Carol enjoys being active in community and civic organizations. She finds gardening and DIY projects relaxing as well as living in the country with her furbabies, Eva and Skittles. 

Membership Chair: Maria Licher, RD

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2020 - May 31st 2021

 

Elected/Appointed: Appointed

 

For the Job Description, click here

 

Maria is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a B.S. degree in Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise.  She completed the dietetic internship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA and began her career as an inpatient clinical dietitian at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.  There she provided nutrition support to oncology and cardiology patients. She later moved to Fenway Community Health where she provided outpatient nutrition counseling to a wide variety of patients including newly diagnosed diabetes and cardiovascular disease patients.  Currently she resides in Blacksburg, VA with her husband and two children where she enjoys gardening, knitting, and hiking.

Secretary: TBD

Term: 2 years - June 1st 2020 - May 31st 2022

 

Elected/Appointed: Elected

 

For the Job Description, click here

 

Biography:

 

 

Leadership Chair: Grace Elliott, MS, RD

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2020 - May 31st 2021

Elected/Appointed: Appointed

 

Grace holds a BS and a MS in Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise and completed the Internship Program in Nutrition and Dietetics at Virginia Tech. She is currently employed as a clinical dietitian at Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, VA where she provides nutrition support for neuro / trauma patients. She continues to work towards her goal of becoming a Certified Nutrition Support Clinician. She also provides independent consulting services in research and education. In her free time, Grace enjoys spending time with her husband, Randall, and black lab, June Bug; cooking; knitting; and live music.

 

District Legislative Representative (DLR):

Kristen Dehr, MS, RDN

Term: 1 year June 1st 2020 - May 31st 2021

Elected/Appointed: Appointed

 

For the Job Description, click here

 

Kristen obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition from the State University of New York Collee at Buffalo.  She completed her dietetic internship and Master of Science degree in Human Nutrition at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. Kristen is the Director of Dining Services for Medical Facilities of America in Roanoke, Virginia. In her role, she has the opportunity to work with diverse groups of people across the states of Virginia and North Carolina. Kristen believes in the power of advocacy, to give us as dietitians and nutrition professionals, a voice for nutrition and prevention policy, a seat at the table. When Kristen isn’t traversing the state, she enjoys gardening, horseback riding, hiking, and swimming-especially when those activities are shared with her family and friends.

 

Awards Chair: Erica Howes, MS, MPH, RDN

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2020 - May 31st 2021

 

Elected/Appointed: Appointed

 

For the Job Description, click here

 

Erica holds a BS in Nutrition from Miami University. She completed her MS in Nutrition and MPH in Health Promotion and Health Behavior at Oregon State University. Erica completed her dietetic internship at VCU Health in Richmond, VA. Erica is currently pursuing her PhD in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise at Virginia Tech with a focus on dietary assessment. In her free time, she enjoys distance running, hiking, and crocheting.

Membership Ambassadors: TBD

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2020 - May 31st 2021

 

Elected/Appointed: Appointed

 

For the Job Description, click here

Media & PR Chair: Lauren Sigmon, RDN

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2020 - May 31st 2021

 

Elected/Appointed: Appointed

 

For the Job Description, click here

 

Biography:

 

 

Student Liaison - Radford: TBD

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2020 - May 31st 2021

 

Elected/Appointed: Appointed

 

For the Job Description, click here

 

 

Newsletter Chair: Ashley Madura, RDN

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2020- May 31st 2021

 

Elected/Appointed: Appointed

 

For the Job Description, click here

 

Biography: 

Bylaws Chair: Jeana Brooks, RD

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2020 - May 31st 2021

 

Elected/Appointed: Appointed

 

For the Job Description, click here

 

Jeana graduated from Radford University with a Bachelor of Science in Foods and Nutrition. She completed her dietetic internship at Virginia Tech. Jeana began her dietetic career at Pulaski Community Hospital and the New River Valley Cancer Care Center. In 2010, she became one of the renal dietitians of Fresenius Kidney Care in the New River Valley. She is currently working to become a certified specialist in renal nutrition. She is an animal lover and a mother of a precious 2 year old boy but still likes riding motorcycles with her husband. Jeana strives to maintain "life long learning" by learning from a long life. 

Intern Liaison - VT Internship in Nutrition and Dietetics: TBD

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2020 - May 31st 2021

 

Elected/Appointed: Appointed

 

For the Job Description, click here

 

 

 

 

Student Liaison - VT:  TBD

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2020 - May 31st 2021

 

Elected/Appointed: Appointed

 

For the Job Description, click here

 

Biography:

Website Chair: Kelly Drummond, RD

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2020 - May 31st 2021

 

Elected/Appointed: Appointed

 

For the Job Description, click here

 

Kelly graduated from Radford University with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. She completed her dietetic internship at Virginia Tech. She currently works for Friendship Health & Rehab - North location. She assesses the nutritional needs of the elderly. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her dog and cooking. 

Intern Liaison - VT MS Nutrition and Dietetics: TBD

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2020 - May 31st 2021

 

Elected/Appointed: Appointed

 

For the Job Description, click here

 

 

Intern Liaison - VT MS Nutrition and Dietetics: TBD

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2020 - May 31st 2021

 

Elected/Appointed: Appointed

 

For the Job Description, click here