Board Members 2019-2020

 

President: Grace Elliott, MS, RD

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2019 - May 31st 2020

 

Elected/Appointed: Elected

 

For the SVAND Job Description, click here.

For the VAND official District President Job Description, click here

 

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.

President-Elect: Maja Hickman, MS, RD

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2019 - May 31st 2020

 

Elected/Appointed: Elected

 

For the 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. 

Treasurer: Carol King, RD

Term: 2 years - June 1st 2018 - May 31st 2020

 

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: Kristen Chang, MS, RD, CSSD

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2019 - May 31st 2020

 

Elected/Appointed: Appointed

 

For the Job Description, click here

 

Kristen is a triple graduate of Virginia Tech, having completed her bachelor's degree, master's degree and dietetic internship through the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise. She currently works as an instructor and the Assistant Director of Nutrition and Dietetics at Virginia Tech. Kristen enjoys endurance sports, crafting new healthy recipes in the kitchen, photography and spending time with her husband, Jordan, and dog, Kenya.

Secretary: Ashley Madura, RDN

Term: 2 years - June 1st 2018 - May 31st 2020

 

Elected/Appointed: Elected

 

For the Job Description, click here

 

Biography:

 

 

Leadership Chair: Susan Noble, RD, CSR

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2019 - May 31st 2020

Elected/Appointed: Appointed

 

Susan has her Bachelors in Science from Appalachian State University and completed her Dietetic Internship with University of Maryland Eastern Shore. She served 6 years in the US Air Force Reserves at Langley Air Force Base. She currently works for innovAge PACE - Roanoke Valley where she assesses the nutritional needs of the elderly to allow them to stay in their home. Prior to this she worked in dialysis, acute care, and consulting. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Roanoke.  In her free time, she enjoys running, biking, cooking and amateur photography. 

 

District Legislative Representative (DLR):

Kristen Dehr, MS, RDN

Term: 1 year June 1, 2019 - May 31, 2020

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 2019 - May 31st 2020

 

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 2019 - May 31st 2020

 

Elected/Appointed: Appointed

 

For the Job Description, click here

Media & PR Chair: TBD

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2019 - May 31st 2020

 

Elected/Appointed: Appointed

 

For the Job Description, click here

 

Biography:

 

 

Student Liaison - Radford: Alexis Buchan

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2019 - May 31st 2020

 

Elected/Appointed: Appointed

 

For the Job Description, click here

 

Alexis is currently attending Radford University to obtain her B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics. She will graduate in May 2020, and plans to complete her dietetic internship. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking with her dog, and cooking.

Newsletter Chair: Hillary Sims, RD

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2019- May 31st 2020

 

Elected/Appointed: Appointed

 

For the Job Description, click here

 

Biography: 

Bylaws Chair: Jeana Brooks, RD

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2019 - May 31st 2020

 

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: Kristen Byrne

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2019 - May 31st 2020

 

Elected/Appointed: Appointed

 

For the Job Description, click here

 

Kristen graduated from East Carolina University with her DPD and went on to James Madison University to obtain her Master’s in Nutrition and Physical activity. She is currently in her internship at Virginia Tech, which will conclude in May 2020. In her free time, she enjoys exercising, cooking, and spending time with her friends.

 

 

Student Liaison - VT:  TBD

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2019 - May 31st 2020

 

Elected/Appointed: Appointed

 

For the Job Description, click here

 

Biography:

Website Chair: Kelly Drummond, RD

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2019 - May 31st 2020

 

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: Evita Huang

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2019 - May 31st 2020

 

Elected/Appointed: Appointed

 

For the Job Description, click here

 

Evita graduated from Virginia Tech with her B.S. in Biochemistry. She is currently in an M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics program at Virginia Tech, which will conclude in December 2020. She is an advocate of life-long learning. In her free time, Evita enjoys reading, cooking, brain teasers and puzzles, and taking walks outside.

 

Intern Liaison - VT MS Nutrition and Dietetics: Mikayla Thomas

Term: 1 year - June 1st 2019 - May 31st 2020

 

Elected/Appointed: Appointed

 

For the Job Description, click here

 

Mikayla holds a BS in Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise and is currently working towards her MS in Nutrition and Dietetics degree at Virginia Tech, which will conclude in December 2020. This program integrates didactic coursework and supervised experiential learning opportunities to prepare her to become a registered dietitian. In her free time, she enjoys cooking/baking, spending time with her dogs, and snowboarding.