Hello! My journey to becoming an RD began almost twenty years ago. After earning a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, I was working in another field entirely when I began a health journey of my own. It was a long road, and it quickly became clear that I needed a multi-faceted approach to manage my symptoms. I did finally find the right answers, and along the way I discovered the power of food as medicine!

I knew right then that my career path was about to pivot. After careful consideration of many health-related job options, I enrolled at SUNY Buffalo State College to learn how to be a dietitian. Here I was able to engage deeply with the subject in the classroom, and practice applying it to a range of settings. My clinical training brought me to hospitals, long-term care facilities, community programs such as WIC, and finally to a rotation at Cornell Cooperative Extension’s SNAP-Ed program. I enjoyed my role there so much that after graduating I joined the CCE team officially!

Since then I’ve spent seven years working in community nutrition education. SNAP-Ed’s mission is to teach individuals and families in low-income communities how to develop healthy, sustainable, affordable eating habits. This means that I get to talk to people about a range of topics every day, such as understanding the food groups, navigating nutrients, reading labels, shopping on a budget and cooking. And then we combine that conversation with practice applying these skills to real life. It’s been incredibly rewarding, and I have learned so much along the way.

Throughout my time at CCE, I’ve also completed integrative nutrition training through the Academy for Nutrition and Dietetics. I have made a point to deepen my knowledge of conditions such as mitochondrial health and the gut-brain connection, and I’m currently diving into the role of hormones in managing well-being.

Food can be a complex and deeply personal experience. It’s not just a matter of calories and nutrients, nor is it simply flavor or texture. It’s both, wrapped up in our cultural identities, family traditions, social interactions and emotions. And sometimes our health concerns or access to food can impact our choices as well. No wonder we get overwhelmed! I like to preface any discussion of diet with the acknowledgement that each of us chooses the foods we do for many reasons, and all of them are valid. I am deeply passionate about helping people find clarity and confidence regarding their own unique dietary needs, allowing them to maintain a nourishing and enjoyable relationship with food. Access to information is great (and the digital world is bursting with nutrition advice), but only insomuch as we can break it down into practical, impactful goals that you can sustain over time.

Today, I am so excited to be joining the team at Buffalo Nutrition. I have absolutely loved my time in community work: the insightful discussions, the joy found in empowering others to make simple changes, the laughter and delight on faces when preparing tasty meals. I will surely miss it all. But I’m ready to work one-on-one with people, to help them manage a wide range of chronic conditions on a deeper level. This role will allow me to learn about your own unique situation, and use all the knowledge I’ve gained to empower you on your journey to health and wellness. I cannot wait to meet you!