Beyond the Books: What the Next Generation of Dietitians Really Need to Succeed

Tamara Melton MS, RDN is a registered dietitian and educator with over 15 years of experience in academia and healthcare technology. She is the co-founder and executive director of Diversify Dietetics. This 501(c)3 nonprofit provides programming to support BIPOC students and young professionals as they navigate the dietetics educational and career pathways. Prior to Diversify Dietetics, Tamara spent 10 years at Georgia State University, working as an advisor and admissions counselor, professor, and administrator. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and two young daughters.

Emily Merklen, MS, RD is Chief Marketing Officer at All Access Dietetics, a U.S. based company that provides support and professional services for future and new dietitians. She has four years of experience in unique positions related to business development and marketing and is passionate about bringing awareness to the variety of career opportunities for dietitians.

Shani Jordan-Goldman, MS, RD, CDCES is a registered dietitian practicing for over ten years. As a clinical dietitian, Shani has worked everywhere from acute care and trauma hospitals to long-term care and rehab centers to outpatient counseling. She currently also teaches a graduate course on Geriatric Nutrition and tutors MNT privately. Shani is the founder of the company Nutrition Cheat Sheets whose mission is to help new RDs avoid what is often a difficult transition between school into the real world of clinical nutrition with resources and support to help them start a career they love.

Robert Dunn, RD, LDN, CNSC is the Clinical Nutrition Manager at Mass General Brigham Salem Hospital and is a member of the Sodexo Clinical Nutrition team. He serves on the Malnutrition Committee at the American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition and is the Massachusetts Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Director of Education.

Maggie Michalczyk, RDN is a Chicago-based registered dietitian and food blogger at Once Upon a Pumpkin. She is a frequent contributor to various news outlets such as Huffington Post and well+good and is passionate about helping people understand nutrition through fun, seasonal recipes and nutrition information that’s easy to understand.