A community created to fill a need
The idea for Diversify Dietetics was borne out of a need that our co-founders and registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs), Deanna Belleny and Tamara Melton, did not see was being met: a community to attract, encourage and empower students and professionals of color who were seeking careers in the field of nutrition and dietetics.
Our Mission
To increase the racial and ethnic diversity in the field of nutrition by empowering nutrition leaders of color.
Our Vision
A nutrition profession that reflects the diverse communities we serve.
Meet the Diversify Dietetics Team
Tamara S. Melton, MS, RDN, CPHIMS
Co-Founder and executive director
Tamara’s first love is teaching and she has taught and advised thousands of students. Tamara had the opportunity to found and develop Georgia State University’s first Health Informatics program, where she used unconventional methods to recruit and retain a majority BIPOC student body.
It was her experience serving in this role and watching her students flourish and succeed that gave her the idea for Diversify Dietetics. Tamara had a hunch that an organization led by professionals of color, supported by a community passionate about diversifying the healthcare profession, would attract more students of color to the field of nutrition and dietetics.
Tamara owns Tamara’s Table, a virtual practice providing functional nutrition counseling for women of color.
Deanna Belleny LEWIS, MPH, RDN
Co-Founder, Director of Programs
Deanna is the co-founder and Director of Programs at Diversify Dietetics. She was inspired to found Diversify Dietetics after several thought-provoking personal experiences as a student and a dietetics professional of color.
Deanna's practice background is in public health and healthcare quality improvement. She has worked for close to 10 years planning, implementing and evaluating programs that impact underrepresented groups.
Additionally she has trained numerous allied health teams in leadership and both professional skill development with a equity, diversity, inclusion lens. She is passionate about equity and supporting students and professionals of color who wish to thrive in nutrition and dietetics.
Deja Ivy Ms, RDN
Academy of nutrition and Dietetics foundation Leadership Scholar
Deja’s professional interests sit at the intersection of nutrition, racial inclusion, and health equity. Previously, she served as a health equity expert for kidney disease disparities. She led national awareness campaigns, kidney health programming, and community screening and detection efforts in marginalized neighborhoods.
Deja is also passionate about helping aspiring RDs of color. She is a volunteer teacher and coordinator for NOBIDAN’s Dr. Jennings' Study Group, dedicated to helping Black and Hispanic dietetic interns pass the credentialing exam. She believes more engagement in communities of color and diverse practitioners will aid a more equitable future.
Deja resides in Atlanta, loves cooking savory vegetarian recipes, and relishes spending time with the nutrition community!
Solange saxby, PhD, RDN
Study Coordinator for supporting diversity in research: A MEntor pilot study project
Solange’s academic journey began in the field of microbiology, but personal challenges sparked a newfound passion for nutrition. She began taking nutrition courses as an undergrad, which ultimately led her to pursue and earn a PhD in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, followed by obtaining her RDN credential.
As a nutritional scientist, Solange is interested in exploring the impact of dietary patterns on chronic disease prevention, with a particular focus on the promotion of traditional foods. She is also passionate about advocating for greater diversity and representation within the field of nutrition and dietetics.
Solange currently lives in Vermont, where she enjoys running, spending time outdoors, cooking new recipes, as well as spending moments with her husband and their two dogs.
Stephanie Mendez, RDN, RYT, CPT
Communications Lead
Stephanie is a dynamic and passionate second-career registered dietitian. With a diverse background that includes six years in the music industry, her life took a turn when she encountered a decade of personal struggles with GI issues. Fueled by this experience, she was inspired to change careers and become a registered dietitian.
Stephanie’s currently works as a GI/IBD Dietitian at Romanwell where she specializes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and disorders of gut-brain interactions. Alongside her clinical role, she also serves as the Communications Lead for DD where she works to support dietetic students and professionals of color in order to promote equity in the field of dietetics.
Stephanie currently lives in Los Angeles. In her free time, she loves making homemade Mexican food, working on her travel blog, and adventuring the city with her beagle Oliver.
Mia Ramdon MCN, RDN, LD
Virtual AssisTant
Mia is a Registered Dietitian based in the Dallas, Texas area. Her passion lies in helping others improve their relationship with food. She pursued a Master of Clinical Nutrition - Coordinated Program at UTSW, which served as the foundation for her career in nutrition. Her professional journey began as a clinical dietitian, and she was also working towards establishing herself in the private practice sector.
Mia's deep love for food, culture, and nutrition developed early in her life, thanks in part to her grandparents. Their health journeys inspired her to pursue a career as a Registered Dietitian. In 2022, Mia took on the role of virtual assistant at Diversify Dietetics, an organization dedicated to promoting diversity and equity in the nutrition field. This opportunity allowed her to contribute to a mission close to her heart, striving to make the nutrition field more inclusive and equitable.
Outside of her career, Mia enjoys a tranquil life outside the bustling city. Gardening is one of her hobbies, and she shares this passion with her family. It's a way for her to connect with nature and maintain a healthy lifestyle, aligning with her dedication to promoting good nutrition and well-being in both her personal and professional life.
Meet our Board of Directors
jessica jones, Ms, RDN, CDE
Jessica is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator with a passion for helping people transform the way they eat and make peace with food. She is the co-author the 28-Day Plant-Powered Health Reboot and A Diabetes Guide to Enjoying the Flavors of the World. As the co-founder of the healthy living website, Food Heaven Made Easy, Jessica provides evidenced-based nutrition tips and tricks for living a nutritious life. When she is not counseling patients on nutrition therapy for wellness and chronic disease management at the University of California San Francisco, Jessica co-hosts the Food Heaven Podcast, which was named New & Noteworthy by iTunes in 2016. You can follow Jessica on Instagram , Facebook, and Twitter.
shanon morris, MS, RD, CDN
Shanon is a Registered Dietitian who has been working with communities from children to senior citizens for over a decade with the goal of making nutrition relatable, accessible, and enjoyable for all. Shanon is a Howard University and Columbia University Alumni where she studied both Nutrition and Exercise Science, giving her the tools to influence behavioral change throughout all of New York City. Shanon currently serves as the Executive Director for Edible Schoolyard NYC.
Hannah Thornton, MS, RD, LD
Hannah is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of the Dietetic Internship at Texas State University. She worked for years as a biologist and a Yoga teacher and finally found dietetics to be the happy intersection between plants and people. In her teaching, she focuses on creating inclusive educational spaces for dietetics students of all levels. In her research, she focuses on reducing food insecurity among college students. Hannah maintains a private practice aimed at supporting pregnant people and new parents in a positive, holistic environment. When she isn’t working, she can usually be found attempting to identify and reduce her unconscious biases and chasing her two children around the backyard.
Diversify Dietetics Advisory Council
Cordialis Msora-Kasago, MA, RDN
Cordialis is an internationally recognized Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. A firm believer in the positive impact of culturally relative messaging for health outcomes, she is the founder of the African Pot Nutrition, a global nutrition practice aimed at closing the gap in health disparities through evidence-based and relatable diet and lifestyle guidance for people of African descent. Also serving as a Regional Nutrition Manager for a multi-national contract management company, Cordialis has seen first hand the impact that registered dietitian nutritionists have in improving health in various settings and across the spectrum of life. Cordialis has a Masters in African Area Studies (Emphasis Public Health) and is a regular contributor to various media outlets. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
Wendy Lopez, MS, RD, CDE
Wendy is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist and co-author of the 28 Day Plant-Powered Health Reboot. She is passionate about educating communities on plant-based eating, in ways that are accessible and culturally relevant. Working as a clinical dietitian in a community clinic in Port Chester, New York, Wendy focuses on disease prevention and management. She uses an integrative and individualized approach towards nutrition, health, and well-being. Wendy is also the co-founder of Food Heaven Made Easy, a multi-media platform for people who want to learn how to prepare plant-based meals that don't require hours of laboring in the kitchen. You can follow Wendy on Instagram , Facebook, and Twitter.
Marina Chaparro, MPH, RDN, CDE
Marina is a nationally recognized bilingual registered dietitian, diabetes educator, and spokesperson. She is a certified diabetes educator and founder of Nutrichicos, a bilingual nutrition practice specializing in children and family nutrition based in Miami. Marina is a member of the pediatric endocrinology team at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, where she provides comprehensive diabetes education to children and families and instructs patients on the latest diabetes-care technology advances. Marina lives with type 1 diabetes herself and loves teaching kids and families how to thrive with type 1 diabetes. Marina is a frequent speaker at local and national conferences on topics such as infant nutrition, Latino health issues, and diabetes. Marina is originally from the border town of El Paso, Texas, and Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. You can follow Marina on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Shreela V. Sharma PhD, RD, LD
Dr. Sharma is Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, and a faculty member of the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Health Living at the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston. Dr. Sharma is a behavioral epidemiologist with specific interest designing sustainable, community-centric interventions to address food insecurity and childhood obesity in underserved populations and has a robust research program in this area. She is co-founder of Brighter Bites, a non-profit organization that channels reclaimed produce with hands-on nutrition education using a food co-op concept to low-income children and families. Dr. Sharma has a PhD in Epidemiology, masters in physical therapy and is a registered dietitian.
Kristen Gradney, MHA, RDN, LDN
After working as a clinical dietitian for several years, Kristen began her career in healthcare management as inpatient clinical nutrition manager of a large regional healthcare facility. Currently, she serves in the area of population health in Baton Rouge, LA in an effort to improve access and quality of care to all people. She is passionate about public policy, population health, and cultural competency in dietitians and healthcare professionals to improve engagement and long-term success of our profession.
Alissa Rumsey MS, RD, CDN, CSCS
Alissa is a nationally recognized and award-winning registered dietitian nutritionist and the founder of Alissa Rumsey Nutrition and Wellness. Alissa specializes in Intuitive Eating, body image support and disordered eating recovery from a Health at Every Size Perspective. Alissa's expertise is regularly featured on television, online, and in print. She is a monthly contributor to US News and World Report and has appeared in over 100 media outlets including NBC Nightly News, CNN, ABC News, SELF and Women's Health. In 2017 she received the Media Excellence award from the New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Alissa earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Dietetics and Exercise Science from the University of Delaware and a Master's of Science degree in Health Communications from Boston University. In her spare time, Alissa can be found traveling to far-off countries, and, as a self-proclaimed "foodie," exploring the expansive New York City food and restaurant scene. You can follow Alissa on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Rebecca Scritchfield, RD
Rebecca is a registered dietitian nutritionist, certified exercise physiologist, author of the book Body Kindness, and host of the Body Kindness podcast. Through her weight-inclusive counseling practice, she helps people make peace with food, find the joy in exercise, and create a better life with workable goals that fit individual interests. Central to all her work, Rebecca aims to develop self-compassion in place of shame by rejecting the rules of diet culture and the pervasive myth that to achieve better health one must lose weight. She lives in Washington, D.C., where she was recently recognized as one of ten “Supermom” entrepreneurs in the Nation’s Capital. You can follow Rebecca on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Vandana Sheth, RDN, CDE
Vandana is a registered dietitian nutritionist, certified diabetes educator and owner of a successful private practice in the Los Angeles area. She is also a media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She has over two decades experience and specializes in diabetes, eating disorders, food allergies, vegetarian nutrition, and family nutrition. Vandana frequently speaks and writes to a wide range of audiences about health and wellness, nutrition and disease prevention. As a National Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics representing one of the largest media markets as well as due to her specialty nutrition areas (Diabetes, Food Allergies, Vegetarian Nutrition, Wellness), she is a valuable resource for expert commentary. She has completed hundreds of media interviews and is frequently quoted in print publications as well as online media. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Long Beach, California chapter of the American Association of Diabetes Educators. Vandana loves serving as a mentor to current and future dietitians and regularly speaks to students interested in the field of nutrition and dietetics. You can follow Vandana on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Constance Brown-Riggs, MSed, RD, CDE, CDN
Constance is an award-winning registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, and former spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She is the author of the Diabetes Guide to Enjoying Foods of the World; The African American Guide to Living Well With Diabetes, and Eating Soulfully and Healthfully with Diabetes. Over the course of her career, Constance has established herself as an expert in nutrition, diabetes, and the cultural issues that impact the health and health care of people of color. Her work has appeared in books for health professionals and health care consumers, and she has been a featured expert in dozens of national media outlets. She also is a regular contributor to Today's Dietitian, also serving on the magazine's advisory board, and to BlackDoctor.org. You can follow Constance on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Mikal Lewis
Mikal is a finance professional that has spent the past 7 years working in the oil and gas sector. He is a recent Harvard Business School admit that is dedicated to making an impact, and helping to diversify leadership teams across an array of industries. Mikal has seen first hand the benefit of a diverse organization after participating in Management Leadership for Tomorrow, and holding leadership positions in various affinity organizations in his workplace. His broad experience will bring a unique perspective to the Diversify Dietetics team.