RIAND Board of Directors 2025-2026
See bottom of the page for descriptions of RIAND's board positions.
Executive Committee
Events & Education Committee
Education & Events Committee Members:
Julia Berman
[email protected]
Christiana Daganhardt
[email protected]
Julia Berman
[email protected]
Christiana Daganhardt
[email protected]
Public Policy Committee
Public Policy Co-Chairs:
Wendy Leonard
[email protected]
Nick Hamdi
nhamdi@eatrightri.org
Public Policy Committee Members:
Cate Brennan
[email protected]
Jason Kashdan
[email protected]
Donna Castricone
[email protected]
Wendy Leonard
[email protected]
Nick Hamdi
nhamdi@eatrightri.org
Public Policy Committee Members:
Cate Brennan
[email protected]
Jason Kashdan
[email protected]
Donna Castricone
[email protected]
Communications Committee
Communications Chair
Barbara Brusini
[email protected]
Delegate
Allison Acquisto
[email protected]
Communications Committee Members
Diana Beaton
[email protected]
Lian Cerella
[email protected]
Barbara Brusini
[email protected]
Delegate
Allison Acquisto
[email protected]
Communications Committee Members
Diana Beaton
[email protected]
Lian Cerella
[email protected]
Open Positions
if interested in any open positions please email Jane Vergnani at [email protected]
if interested in any open positions please email Jane Vergnani at [email protected]
RIAND Board of Directors Descriptions
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
Co-Presidents (2 years) - Must have served on the board for 2 years prior. The Co-Presidents lead the affiliate board members in accomplishing the strategic plan for the year and monitoring the affiliate’s fiscal health. Serves as official spokesperson of the Affiliate, serves as the chair of the Board of Directors and its Executive Committee, Works with treasurer to establish yearly budget, provides direction and support for the board.
Secretary (2 years): Maintains records (including but not limited to minutes, board policies, legal documents, and contracts), records minutes and initiates correspondence for the affiliate.
Treasurer (2 years): Serves on the executive committee and is responsible for developing and reviewing planned budgets based on prior year’s spending patterns; handle the affiliate's finances and reimbursement; file yearly taxes, and ensure the organization remains in good standing as a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization.
Nominating Chair (2 years) - Identify opportunities to provide presentations on membership benefits and board involvement opportunities; Identify potential leaders for the affiliate organization, including recruiting candidates for affiliate board of director’s positions, coordinating the affiliate election and notifying candidates of election results; Organize RIAND Awards selection, announcement, and distribution; Manage internal and external communication of interested students/interns and committee chairs; Organize and maintain records of awards, membership, and scholarship information
Delegate (2 years) - Represent the membership of RIAND virtually at the House of Delegates meeting. Be responsible for reporting to the Board of Directors and the general membership, the actions of the House of Delegates.
POLICY COMMITTEE:
Policy & Advocacy Co-Chair (2 years) - Must have served on the board for 1 year prior. Monitor and participate in state & federal policy when relevant to membership; encourage membership to engage in nutrition policy advocacy; hosts and participates in state legislative advocacy events (i.e including legislative day at RI State House); Periodically review proposed state bills and regulations related to food and nutrition, public policy, and public health; participate in state legislative advocacy events; attend various group/advocacy board meetings; Work alongside co-chair, diversity & inclusion chair and other committee members, including student interns.
Policy & Advocacy Committee Member (1 year) - Monitor and participate in state & federal policy when relevant to membership; encourage membership to engage in nutrition policy advocacy; hosts and participates in state legislative advocacy events (i.e including legislative day at RI State House); Periodically review proposed state bills and regulations related to food and nutrition, public policy, and public health; participate in state legislative advocacy events; attend various group/advocacy board meetings; Work alongside co-chair(s), diversity & inclusion chair and other committee members, including student interns.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Representative (1 year) - Promotes the dietetics profession and membership in the Academy to underrepresented groups. Collect prospective member contact information at diversity outreach events and submit contact information to Academy Headquarters. Ability to apply for diversity grants through the Academy.
EDUCATION AND EVENTS COMMITTEE:
Education and Events Chair (2 years): Must have served on the board for 1 year prior. Oversees event calendar and event outlines, manages CPE, sends to the academy and CDR. The chair stays up to date with CPE guidelines and approval process, manages events budget and leads E&E committee, schedules regular meetings and check-ins.
Spring Conference Chair (2 years): Must have served on the board for 1 year prior. Responsible for coordinating the annual RIAND Spring Meeting (currently held virtually), including determining date(s) of the conference, booking speakers for relative topics on nutrition and contacting potential event sponsors.
Education & Events Committee Member (1 year)- Works alongside the education & events committee to assist in coordination and delivery of RIAND events including CPE events, annual conference, and other special events throughout the year.
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE:
Communications Chair (2 years)- Must have served on the board for 1 year prior. The chair oversees all communications with members and the public. This position is responsible for creating and distributing content across multiple channels—including email newsletters, social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn), and other media—to keep members informed about upcoming events, policy updates, and essential resources. By ensuring effective communication, the Communications Chair helps strengthen the connection between members and supports the Academy's goal of promoting nutrition excellence, advocacy, and professional development in Rhode Island.
Communications Committee Member (1 year) - Assist in the organization and creation of content for communicating RIAND activities with membership, including: quarterly email digest and other email communication, RIAND website, social media (content creation in Canva; Instagram page; Facebook page); Assists in marketing and promotion of RIAND events; Work with communications chair and student interns.
Co-Presidents (2 years) - Must have served on the board for 2 years prior. The Co-Presidents lead the affiliate board members in accomplishing the strategic plan for the year and monitoring the affiliate’s fiscal health. Serves as official spokesperson of the Affiliate, serves as the chair of the Board of Directors and its Executive Committee, Works with treasurer to establish yearly budget, provides direction and support for the board.
Secretary (2 years): Maintains records (including but not limited to minutes, board policies, legal documents, and contracts), records minutes and initiates correspondence for the affiliate.
Treasurer (2 years): Serves on the executive committee and is responsible for developing and reviewing planned budgets based on prior year’s spending patterns; handle the affiliate's finances and reimbursement; file yearly taxes, and ensure the organization remains in good standing as a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization.
Nominating Chair (2 years) - Identify opportunities to provide presentations on membership benefits and board involvement opportunities; Identify potential leaders for the affiliate organization, including recruiting candidates for affiliate board of director’s positions, coordinating the affiliate election and notifying candidates of election results; Organize RIAND Awards selection, announcement, and distribution; Manage internal and external communication of interested students/interns and committee chairs; Organize and maintain records of awards, membership, and scholarship information
Delegate (2 years) - Represent the membership of RIAND virtually at the House of Delegates meeting. Be responsible for reporting to the Board of Directors and the general membership, the actions of the House of Delegates.
POLICY COMMITTEE:
Policy & Advocacy Co-Chair (2 years) - Must have served on the board for 1 year prior. Monitor and participate in state & federal policy when relevant to membership; encourage membership to engage in nutrition policy advocacy; hosts and participates in state legislative advocacy events (i.e including legislative day at RI State House); Periodically review proposed state bills and regulations related to food and nutrition, public policy, and public health; participate in state legislative advocacy events; attend various group/advocacy board meetings; Work alongside co-chair, diversity & inclusion chair and other committee members, including student interns.
Policy & Advocacy Committee Member (1 year) - Monitor and participate in state & federal policy when relevant to membership; encourage membership to engage in nutrition policy advocacy; hosts and participates in state legislative advocacy events (i.e including legislative day at RI State House); Periodically review proposed state bills and regulations related to food and nutrition, public policy, and public health; participate in state legislative advocacy events; attend various group/advocacy board meetings; Work alongside co-chair(s), diversity & inclusion chair and other committee members, including student interns.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Representative (1 year) - Promotes the dietetics profession and membership in the Academy to underrepresented groups. Collect prospective member contact information at diversity outreach events and submit contact information to Academy Headquarters. Ability to apply for diversity grants through the Academy.
EDUCATION AND EVENTS COMMITTEE:
Education and Events Chair (2 years): Must have served on the board for 1 year prior. Oversees event calendar and event outlines, manages CPE, sends to the academy and CDR. The chair stays up to date with CPE guidelines and approval process, manages events budget and leads E&E committee, schedules regular meetings and check-ins.
Spring Conference Chair (2 years): Must have served on the board for 1 year prior. Responsible for coordinating the annual RIAND Spring Meeting (currently held virtually), including determining date(s) of the conference, booking speakers for relative topics on nutrition and contacting potential event sponsors.
Education & Events Committee Member (1 year)- Works alongside the education & events committee to assist in coordination and delivery of RIAND events including CPE events, annual conference, and other special events throughout the year.
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE:
Communications Chair (2 years)- Must have served on the board for 1 year prior. The chair oversees all communications with members and the public. This position is responsible for creating and distributing content across multiple channels—including email newsletters, social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn), and other media—to keep members informed about upcoming events, policy updates, and essential resources. By ensuring effective communication, the Communications Chair helps strengthen the connection between members and supports the Academy's goal of promoting nutrition excellence, advocacy, and professional development in Rhode Island.
Communications Committee Member (1 year) - Assist in the organization and creation of content for communicating RIAND activities with membership, including: quarterly email digest and other email communication, RIAND website, social media (content creation in Canva; Instagram page; Facebook page); Assists in marketing and promotion of RIAND events; Work with communications chair and student interns.