AODA LT biographies




	President President&EatrightOverseas.org Camella Rising, MS, RD, LDN (USA) Camella has served in many different positions on the Leadership Team and Board of Directors of AODA, including President-Elect, Secretary, Conference Chair, Member Services Chair and Scientific Committee Chair. For her commitment to AODA, Camella was named Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year, 2005 and received an AODA Service Award in 2006. Outside of AODA, Camella is a nutrition consultant to the North Carolina Division of Public Health in Raleigh, North Carolina. Her work includes providing technical assistance and professional guidance on projects delivered by state-operated programs, such as the Nutrition Education and Training (NET) Program and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program. Camella is also a writer and reviewer for a public health-focused Pediatric Nutrition Course being developed by the North Carolina Division of Public Health in collaboration with the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Other public health experiences include assisting in the opening and supervising of a WIC Overseas clinic in Sigonella, Italy. Camella graduated from University of California, San Diego in La Jolla, California with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She later completed a Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences and her coursework for her didactic in dietetics at San Diego State University (SDSU) in San Diego, California. At SDSU, Camella was awarded both the Mary Quam Hawkins Memorial Graduate Scholarship and Outstanding Graduate Student Award. Her dietetic internship was completed at UCSF Medical Center, in San Francisco, California. Camella was honored with the Virginia McMasters Memorial Award by the Bay Area District of the California Dietetic Association for outstanding work during her dietetic internship year. When not thinking about public health nutrition or the collaboration of nutritionists around the globe, Camella is spending time with her husband Matthew and two sons, Nicholas (6) and Jonathan (3). Return to Leadership Team page President-Elect PresidentElect&EatrightOverseas.org Maria Bovil, DrPH, RD, LD (Kenya) It is an honor to serve as President-Elect of AODA. My involvement with AODA began in 1994, then named the American European Dietetic Association (AEDA), when I served as the Chair, Nominating Committee. My current assignment, stationed in Kenya, allows me the unique opportunity to interact with dietitians from around the world, in diverse, culturally rich settings. It is my privilege to learn about the many possibilities to facilitate the growth of AODA in Africa. I graduated from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge with an undergraduate degree in dietetics and then joined the Army and have been on Active Duty for over 20 years. During this time, I completed the MPH and DrPH at the University of California, Berkeley. My assignments have included Letterman Army Medical Center; Chief Nutrition Care, 67^th Combat Support Hospital, Germany; Principal Investigator, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA; Assistant Professor, Baylor University and Deputy Director, US Army Military Graduate Program on Nutrition, San Antonio, TX; and currently, Director, Kombewa Clinical Research Center, Kisumu, Kenya. Return to Leadership Team page Past President PastPresident&EatrightOverseas.org Editha P. Heberlein, MS, RD, FADA (USA) "It is with great pleasure that I serve the American Overseas Dietetic Association. I feel especially fortunate to have this unique opportunity to know and network with dietitians living outside of the US with their unique needs, opportunities and challenges. We have the responsibility to move nutrition and dietetics to a better position in the international arena and one way is to support the most important resource we have as an organization, our members." Editha graduated from the University of the Philippines and became a Registered Dietitian before she left the Philippines in 1979. She received her Master's degree in Institution Management from Kansas State University and became a Registered Dietitian in the US in 1989. She joined the US Air Force in 1992 and currently serves at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada as the Nutritional Medicine Flight Commander and Consultant to the Command Surgeon for Nutrition and Dietetics. She directs foodservice management and clinical dietetic operations at the Mike O'Callaghan Federal Hospital, a joint venture by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Editha is truly a world traveler and had the opportunity to travel to all 50 US states, 45 countries, and five continents. Return to Leadership Team page Secretary Secretary&EatrightOverseas.org Stephanie Meyer, MS, RD, LD (USA) I am an Army dietitian, currently "assigned" to the University of Texas, School of Public Health where I will earn a Dr.PH in Community Health Practice, with a focus on Global Health. I learned about AODA in 2006 when I moved to Germany; a colleague was the US Government CR and she quickly converted me. I am glad she did. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to take over as the US Government CR when she left Germany, and held that post until March 2009, just before I left Germany. I am a wife and mother. Our family also includes two dogs, two cats and some fish. There are few dull moments in our house. We currently live in Houston, Texas. I feel privileged to serve as Secretary of AODA and look forward to all that is to come. Return to Leadership Team page Treasurer Treasurer&EatrightOverseas.org Laurie Zirilli, MA, RD, CDN (Taiwan) Return to Leadership Team page Awards Chair Awards&EatrightOverseas.org Eleni Andreou, RD, LD, PhD Candidate (Cyprus) "AODA sets the principles of building a secure and immense association. It demonstrates a solid determination to do whatever must be done to produce the best enduring and successful results for the Association and its members. AODA is the best example of successful intercultural relationships. AODA is dedicated to advancing global health and moving forward the profession of dietetics through education, research, and promotion while overcoming cultural diversity." Eleni Andreou studied in Ohio and leaves in her home –country Cyprus with her husband Harris and two children Evridiki and Andrea- Mario. She served as the President of American Overseas Dietetic Association (AODA) for the years 2006-2007. She was honoured with the award of the Outstanding Dietitian of the Year for 2007 by the American Overseas Dietetic Association. She is the author of the book "Healthy Recipes and Principles of Good Nutrition", 1996 and co-author of the "Good Nutrition for Athletes with emphasis to children and adolescents", 2008. For three continuous terms ( 3 year each) serves as the president of the Cyprus Dietetic Associations and vice-president of the Council of Registration of Scientists of/Technologist of Foods and Dietitians Cyprus (from 1996). She is the representative of Cyprus in the International Confederation of Dietetic Association (ICDA) and European Federation of Associations of Dietitians (EFAD). She currently works as a private clinical consultant in Nicosia, Cyprus. Return to Leadership Team page Country Representatives Chair CR-Chair&EatrightOverseas.org Elena Paravantes, RD "AODA is the most diverse nutrition association that exists today" Elena Paravantes, RD, AODA Country Representatives Chair Elena Paravantes is a Greek-American Registered Dietitian living in Athens, Greece for the past 9 years. She is the Food and Nutrition Editor for the Greek editions of 'Prevention' Magazine and 'Men's Health' Magazine. She is a Nutrition Consultant and freelance writer for other publications. She has been the American Overseas Dietetic Association (AODA) Country Representative for Greece for the past 5 years, Past Media Representative for AODA, Member of the ADA Member Value Committee and the Greek Delegate for the European Federation of the Association of Dietitians (EFAD) and the International Confederation of Dietetic Associations (ICDA). Return to Leadership Team page Continuing Professonal Education Chair CPE&EatrightOverseas.org Mary Easaw, BSc Return to Leadership Team page Delegate to ADA House of Delegates HDC&EatrightOverseas.org Naomi Trostler, PhD, RD (Israel) "Sharing and spreading good nutrition and health practices to improve the quality of life of all people, in collaboration with nutrition professionals around the world, is my priority activity through AODA." Naomi currently works with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Israel is her country of residence. Naomi's areas of professional (interest) Academic teaching of dietetics, clinical nutrition and related topics. She has Research areas – practice-based research in dietetics, outcomes of dietetic counseling; nutrition and health effects of westernization and immigration. She belongs to the Research DPG – Research; DEP. In her personal time, Naomi enjoys photography and travel memorabilia collection. Recent member of the Association Positions Committee (2004-2006); and currently member of the Diversity committee (2006-2008); member of ADA's research advisory board; member DPBRN oversight committee member. Member AODA's scientific committee. Return to Leadership Team page Fundraising Chair FC&EatrightOverseas.org Julie Meyer, RD (China) Julie Meyer, RD is a nutrition and health communications consultant and author, focused on bringing clear, concise and realistic nutrition and health professionals based in Shanghai, China. Julie is the founder of Eat Well Shanghai, a service providing down-to-earth nutrition advice, food safety information and healthy eating tips for expats living in China. Additionally, Julie is a nutrition communications consultant, most recently working with US-based FoodMinds, LLC on the National Dairy Council health professionals program. On the prestigious 3-A-Day of Dairy program, Julie wrote a variety of health professional materials including presentations, education pieces and toolkits. Previously, she has worked as an independent consultant and with public relations agencies including Fleishman-Hillard, Burson-Marstellar and Ogilvy PR, with clients including The Dannon Company, Cadbury-Schwepps, Kellogg's, The Quaker Oats Company, The Minute Maid Company, Nurture, Inc., Nutrition 21 and Good Humor-Breyers. Julie is currently the nutrition columnist for Shanghai Family magazine, and has been a contributing writer to Women's Health magazine on nutrition-related topics and a frequent contributor to magazines including Fitness, Self, Shape, Eating Well, ePregnancy, REAL magazine and WeightWatchers.com. Julie graduated from Tufts University in Medford, MA, with a bachelor of arts in International Relations and African Studies and completed the coursework for her didactic in dietetics at New York University and completed her dietetic internship with the Sodexho Corporation in Chicago, IL. Return to Leadership Team page Historian Historian&EatrightOverseas.org Mary Koller, MS, RD (Germany) Return to Leadership Team page Incoming Awards Chair Awards&EatrightOverseas.org Erica Kalis, RD (Croatia) Return to Leadership Team page IT Chair IT&EatrightOverseas.org Charmain Tan, RD, AD (Hong Kong) Charmain graduated from U of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, TX and worked as Nutrition Support dietitian for 7 years in States before heading back to Hong Kong. She's an AODA member since and serves as Country Rep of Hong Kong. She attended her first AODA conference in Kuala Lumpur which led her to AODA Leadership Team. She's now on IT committee and happily working with dietitians around the world. She welcomes all suggestions and comments related to the AODA website. Charmain is the founder and Director of Seventeen Nutrition Consultants, providing nutrition counseling and consultation services. Professionally, she enjoys writing and public speaking. During her free time, she enjoys shopping, watching movies and traveling. Return to Leadership Team page Media Representative Media&EatrightOverseas.org Marianella Herrrera, MD, MSc (Venezuela) Marianella graduate from Medical School in Caracas Venezuela , also she has a Master Degree in Human Nutrition from Universidad Simón Bolívar in Caracas. She has been involved in nutrition education and consulting for 20 years, since she started to work as a physician and realized that so many health concerns were related to nutrition. Five years ago she became the host of a radio show in Nutrition education and that was a great experience. Since 2007, she became Communications and Institutional Relations Director of Venezuelan Scientific Society of Obesity, and Professor for the Post-Graduate Program in Obesity. This work has given her the opportunity to research some relevant topics in Venezuelan nutrition and obesity scenario like conducting the first national research in obesity, and communicate to people and organizations as well as to assess educational campaigns that could help the raising of obesity in the country. Getting involved in AODA's activities has been exciting and is marking the path she looked for to work for a proper global nutrition. Besides working in nutrition, Marianella actually lives in Caracas, Venezuela with her husband and four children, three boys and a girl, and is a pleasure to have them and connecting with everyone feelings and experiences!. Marianella also enjoys gourmet cooking for her family, practice yoga and golf, and when times permits makes watercolor painting. Return to Leadership Team page Member Services Chair MSC&EatrightOverseas.org Liliana Nannette Löderup, RD, CLE "AODA is an extraordinary intercultural and global organization that offers its members the opportunity of working in a concerted effort to promote a healthier world." Liliana currently lives in Stockholm, Sweden with her husband and six-year old daughter, and her one-year old baby boy. She has previously lived in Tijuana, B.C. Mexico, San Diego, California and Seattle, Washington in the USA. Liliana enjoys traveling with her family and especially enjoys tasting the various cultural dishes that different countries have to offer. She also enjoys dancing ballet which she has done almost all her life. Liliana notes that one of the advantages to living in Stockholm is to see classical ballets in such beautiful "Kungliga Opera" in Stockholm. Liliana's professional interests lie in pediatric nutrition, women's health, and lactation. She is a member of the Pediatric, Women's Health and Reproductive Nutrition and Diabetes DPGs. She has served AODA as Member Services Chair for 2 two-year terms and is currently training members in the committee. Liliana volunteered in the Conference Committee to organize a nutrition conference for Swedish Dietitians for Spring 2009. Return to Leadership Team page Membership Data Coordinator MDC&EatrightOverseas.org Krisma DesPortes, MS, RD (USA) Return to Leadership Team page Membership Data Coordinator Assistant MDC-Asst&EatrightOverseas.org Royce Ann James Royce-Ann James is a clinical dietitian with 6 years of experience in Acute Care, Nutrition Support, and Maternal and Child Care. Currently, she is practicing at the 110 patient, Dr. Beresford Swan Hemodialysis Unit in Bermuda, her island home. Recently, as a member of the National Kidney Foundation, she attended a conference in Nashville, Tennessee with the hope to further her understanding of the renal patient, and their nutritional needs and network with other professionals in that arena. She is looking to attain certification as a Renal Nutrition Specialist in the near future. Return to Leadership Team page Newsletter Editor Newsletter@EatrightOverseas.org Erin Boyd Kappelhof, MS, MPH, RD (Netherlands) Erin currently works in global nutrition communications for Unilever and is based in the Netherlands. She became involved with AODA after relocating there in 2008. Erin's previous roles include food/nutrition public relations at Weber Shandwick Worldwide and in the supermarket industry at Royal Ahold. In addition, she worked as a research assistant with Shape Up Somerville, a childhood obesity prevention intervention, and in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health. Erin earned her bachelor's degree in communication from Boston College. She received two master's degrees – one in nutrition communication and one in public health – from Tufts University. Return to Leadership Team page Nominating Committee Chair NCC&EatrightOverseas.org Karla Rippchen, MMGT, RD (Singapore) Return to Leadership Team page Public Relations Chair PR&EatrightOverseas.org Winsy Leung, MS, RD, AD (Hong Kong) Winsy Leung, MS, RD, AD is the current Public Relations Chair of the American Oversea Dietetic Association and the Honorary Advisor for the Hong Kong Asthma Society. She was also the past External Affairs Officer of the Hong Kong Dietitians Association. She was granted her Master's Degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University. While she was pursuing her Master's Degree, she worked as a Teaching Assistant at New York University and a WIC Nutritionist at Brooklyn, NY. After obtaining her RD credential, she worked as a clinical dietitian at acute care hospital before moving back to her home country, Hong Kong, to continue her dietetic career. In Hong Kong, she worked as a community dietitian for nutrition consulting company and a hospital dietitian in both government and private hospitals, and community dietitian. To broaden her knowledge in practice, she completed the Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management and the Certificate of Training in Childhood and Adolescent Weight Management by the American Dietetic Association, and Chinese Medicine Nutrition Diploma by the Chinese University of Hong Kong School of Continuing and Professional Studies. With her passion in pediatrics and family health promotion, Winsy is currently practicing as a Private Practice Dietitian at a multidisciplinary pediatric clinic, Children at 818, in Hong Kong. On top of daily normal dietary consultations, her routine job functions includes: conducting nutrition seminars and talks both to the general public and health care professionals, hosting health/nutrition programs in local television and radio stations, responding media interviews in diet-related matters, providing diet consultations to restaurants/hotels, and writing nutrition articles and books. At her leisure time, she enjoys swimming, singing, and crafting. Return to Leadership Team page