Season 2 Episode 9: Diversity and Leadership Within the Academy
Are you a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics? The Academy is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. Similar to the current demographics of the dietetics profession, the leadership within the Academy is not particularly diverse but many are paving the way for that to change. In 2015 the Academy released its first Diversity Strategic Plan along with a handful of other Diversity Initiatives. One key objective of this strategic plan is “to establish strong diversity efforts at all levels of Academy leadership”. So how do we make sure this happens? How do we ensure that diverse leaders are in the room where decisions are being made? Today we talk with Camille Range about just that. She started working with the Academy as a Diversity Leader and is now a member of the Board of Directors and the House of Delegates, representing dietitians under the age of 30. Camille is passionate about leadership and talks to us about why its so important to have a seat at the table even when you may be the only one. She shares insights into the decision making structure within the Academy and what the Academy is working on as it relates to diversity.
About Camille
Camille Range is a registered dietitian nutritionist who empowers families, communities and the next generation of healthcare providers to lead healthy lives through nutrition, health and wellness. She received a B.S. in Food Science and Human Nutrition from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Master’s in Public Health from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston, TX. Previously, Ms. Range served as a program manager for several obesity and public health research initiatives promoting positive health behavior changes in Hispanic and African American mothers and preteen daughters. She expanded work tackling the nation’s challenges surrounding childhood obesity working alongside the former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative during its five-year anniversary. Ms. Range continues to inspire the next generation of change-makers to improve the health and systematic challenges faced by underserved families across the country. Ms. Range works to increase diversity in the dietetics profession to achieve this goal. Currently, she serves as a board member for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and House of Delegates representing dietitians under the age of 30. In Fall 2019, Ms. Range began her doctorate in Urban Leadership & Entrepreneurship at the University of the District of Columbia. Ms. Range is looking forward to bringing her experience and energy as the new Senior Manager of Nutrition Systems for Sodexo Schools - Mid-Atlantic region.
