Board of Directors

JENNY NIXON

JENNY NIXON

President

LAUREN ROBERSON

LAUREN ROBERSON

President-Elect / Sponsorship Chair

I am passionate about aging nutrition and food insecurity among the aging population. I have been a practicing RD for 10 years! I am most comfortable in the community setting working on health campaigns and nutrition education curricula.

TRACEY TRUE

TRACEY TRUE

Past President

I’m a full time educator of small humans, spend as much time outdoors as possible, and have a goal to start my own business, eventually.

JAEANA TOOSON

JAEANA TOOSON

Secretary

I work at Kentucky Bariatric Institute as a Bariatric Dietitian and the accreditation coordinator. I went to school at UK for undergrad and internship. My husband also went to UK and is a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist. I became a dietitian while 32 weeks pregnant with my son, Isaac in 2020 and began practicing in May 2021 when I started my business, EmpoweRD Nutrition, LLC. I then began working at Kentucky Bariatric Institute in July 2021. I was featured in the TOPS magazine while pregnant with my daughter, Peace.

KATE PERKINS

KATE PERKINS

Treasurer

MIKAYLA CUPP

MIKAYLA CUPP

Membership Chair

I am an outpatient dietitian and the MOVE! Program Facility Coordinator at the Lexington VAMC. I have been practicing as an RD for 4 years within the outpatient setting. I have a 130 lb. Great Pyrenees named Apollo (Paul for short 🙂 ).

CANDICE TUFANO

CANDICE TUFANO

Public Policy Coordinator

SUSAN WILSON

SUSAN WILSON

Delegate

KATIE LANDON

KATIE LANDON

Bluegrass District President

ANNIE KRON

Louisville District President

LIZ CHOATE

LIZ CHOATE

Western District President

JANE SIMMONS

JANE SIMMONS

Nominating Committee Chair

Retired from Western KY University, dietetic internship director.

NASREEN OMRAN

NASREEN OMRAN

Nominating Committee Chair Elect

I graduated from the University of Kentucky Coordinated Program in 2018 and MS in Nutrition and Food Systems in 2021. I currently work full time as the Program Coordinator for the Bridge Scholars Program at the University of Kentucky. I continue to work ~ 1 day a week as a clinical dietitian at Saint Joseph Hospital in Lexington. When I am not working, I enjoy reading and hanging out with my three cats.

TORI ZEIGLER

TORI ZEIGLER

Nominating Committee Member

I am a clinical dietitian in Lexington, KY at St. Joe.

BRITTNEY STOKLEY

BRITTNEY STOKLEY

State Policy Representative

WHITNEY DUDDEY

WHITNEY DUDDEY

Consumer Protection Coordinator

I currently work at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) as a Clinical Nutrition Manager but live in Northern Kentucky. I graduated from University of Kentucky with both my BS in Dietetics as well as my MHA. I completed my Dietetic Internship at Baylor University Medical Center (Dallas TX). Prior to moving to CCHMC and Northern Kentucky, I called Lexington home and worked at both St. Joseph Health and University of Kentucky HealthCare.

ABBY HICKEY

ABBY HICKEY

Annual Meeting Chair

I am from Hopkinsville, Kentucky. I did my undergraduate work at Western Kentucky University, internship at University of Kentucky Hospital, and MS and PhD at Auburn University. I am an Assistant Professor in the Food & Nutrition program at Eastern Kentucky University and co-coordinator of the EKU Food Studies Lab interested in studying college student food insecurity. I have been a RDN for 5 years (it goes by fast, right?!). I live in Lexington with my husband and our dog, Claudia Jean or CJ for short (any West Wing fans?). I love all things outdoors and reading.

KARINA CHRISTOPHER

KARINA CHRISTOPHER

Annual Meeting Committee Member

I have been at EKU for 11 years and primarily teach medical nutrition therapy. Prior to completing my doctorate in Gerontology and teaching at EKU, I worked in clinical dietetics. Aside from my academic work, I provide consulting sports nutrition services to youth and adult athletes.

EMILY DEWITT

EMILY DEWITT

Annual Meeting Past Chair

I have been a dietitian for nearly eight years, mostly working in community-based settings focused on obesity and food systems work. In January 2023, I started as a lecturer at UK, primarily overseeing the food systems management courses. When not at work, you can find me traveling, reading, playing in a weekly volleyball league with friends, walking my dog, Thor, or watching baseball (go Braves!).

KIRA GALLOWAY

KIRA GALLOWAY

Awards/Scholarships Co-Chair

JORDAN ELLIS

JORDAN ELLIS

IDEA Liaison

ERIN CASEY

ERIN CASEY

Nutrition Services Payment Specialist

ERICA RHORER

ERICA RHORER

Nutrition Services Payment Specialist

Erica Rhorer is the Owner of Willa, Nutrition & Lactation Services and Co-Owner of Bluegrass Birth Collective in Lexington, KY. Erica is a Dietitian & Lactation Consultant with a special interest in and expertise in prenatal & postpartum health, infant feeding, weight management, women’s health, and diabetes. In addition, she has 15+ years of experience in the Intensive Care Unit, acute hospital care setting, and outpatient setting.

HEATHER SHRUM

HEATHER SHRUM

Awards/Scholarships Co-Chair

ETHAN MATTINGLY

ETHAN MATTINGLY

New Member Liaison

CHELSEA COLLINSWORTH

CHELSEA COLLINSWORTH

Student Liaison – EKU

I’m going to be a senior in the fall at EKU.

ALLIE HICKS

ALLIE HICKS

Student Liaison – EKU

I am currently a rising senior at EKU! I work for our campus dietitian as a nutrition assistant, and I also have spent the past semester working under one of my professors on research related to food insecurity on college campuses. I’m hoping to go into clinical pediatrics when I become an RD, with possible focuses on food allergy education or diabetes management and education.

KINSEY EMBRY

KINSEY EMBRY

Student Liaison – MSU

I currently go to Murray State University and I work in food service at the local hospital. However, I am looking into getting a job at the one of the local Long-Term Healthcare facilities because I love working with the elderly population. My dream job has no correlation, but it is to educate the general public on health knowledge, specifically in a developing country. Hobbies of mine are exercise, reading, and hiking, and a fun fact: I am avid planner!

KARA ZAROTNY

Student Liaison – WKU

EMILY SPINDLER

EMILY SPINDLER

Social Media Coordinator

I am currently a nutrition and dietetics student at Murray State University! I will begin my senior year this upcoming fall, and I plan to complete my dietetic internship after I graduate. I also work as a food service aide at the Murray-Calloway County Hospital.

ANNE CRECELIUS

State Regulatory Specialist

AMY BROOKE

Executive Director