Healthy Aging Leadership

2023 - 2024 Executive Board

Chair
Emily Schilling, RD, LDN, CDCES

Emily is the Nutrition Manager for Upham’s PACE, a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly in Boston. Emily has spent over a decade working with older adults in nursing homes and community settings. Additionally, Emily works as a diabetes educator through various virtual platforms. Professional interests include therapeutic cooking, innovations in diabetes care, and equitable food access. 

Emily Schilling, RD, LDN, CDCES

Past Chair
Lynnsey Bogash, MS, RD, LDN

Lynnsey lives in Chicago, IL and works at Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center as the MOVE! Coordinator. She received her Master’s degree in Human Nutrition at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR and developed an interest in geriatrics while receiving her BS from Arizona State University. Lynnsey has previously served with the Weight Management DPG and the Illinois Academy Media Team.

Chair Elect
Kim Duhon, MS, RD, LDN

Kim Duhon, MS, RDN, LDN works with older adults to help them live with dignity in their community with PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) in Lafayette, LA. She graduated with her Bachelor’s from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and obtained her Master’s from Louisiana Tech University. She has worked in food service management and clinical nutrition. She is an active member with the local (ANDA) and state (LAND) affiliations.

Secretary
Shaynee Roper, DCN, MEd, RD, LD, FAND

Info coming soon!

Treasurer
Laura Last, MA, MBA, RDN, LD, FAND, CPTM

Laura Last, MA, MBA, RDN, LD, FAND, CPTM has 30 years of clinical dietetics experience in a variety of areas, including long-term care, food service, and industry. She received her Bachelor's from Kansas State University and her MA in Health Services Management and MBA from Webster University, and is currently pursuing her EdD from Capella University. Laura has served on various local, state, and national committees and boards during her career.

Nominating Chair 
Catherine Conrad, MHA, RD, LDN

Catherine Conrad, MHA, RD, LDN is a registered dietitian and lifelong wellness advocate. Having practiced in Hawaii and the East Coast, she values the cultural impact of nutrition and health. Her professional goals include completing her Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition from her alma mater, Rutgers University, and continuing to build future leaders in the industry.

Delegate
Maureen Janowski, RD, LDN, CSG, FAND

Maureen Janowski is the Corporate Director, Malnutrition Program with Morrison Healthcare.  Prior to her recent position change she had spent over 20 years working exclusively with older adults in the CCRC and Skilled Care environment.  Maureen has a passion for nutrition and wellness for older adults. She played a key role in the development of EmpowerU, a Morrison resident focused wellness initiative. Maureen has published articles as well as presented at many professional conferences on the topic of Nutrition and Wellness for Older Adults.
Maureen is a Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition and also a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Membership Chair
Mary Ellen Camire, PhD, CFS

Mary Ellen Camire, Ph.D., CFS has been a faculty member in Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Maine since 1989. Her doctoral training in Nutrition and Food Sciences was completed at Texas Woman's University. Mary Ellen teaches undergraduate and graduate classes on nutrition and aging and conducts research on food insecurity among older adults and food technologies to improve food acceptance, especially among persons with dysphagia.

Sponsorship Chair
Jacob T. Mey, PhD, RD

Dr. Jacob T. Mey, PhD, RD completed his nutrition and dietetic training at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. He then pursued a PhD in Kinesiology and Nutrition at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he investigated skeletal muscle mechanisms in individuals with diabetes. Jake is now an Assistant Professor at Pennington Biomedical Research Center where he investigates human metabolism and nutrient utilization to better understand the role of food in health and disease. He is a passionate advocate for the RD profession and encourages all health professionals to be active members on social media.

Professional Development Chair
Lexie Jacobs, MS, RD, LDN

Lexie has been a Registered Dietitian for 3 years. Lexie has a Master of Science in Nutrition & Dietetics with an emphasis in Nutrition in the Lifecycle from Texas Tech University. Her Bachelor of Arts is in Exercise Science from McDaniel College. When Lexie isn’t working, she enjoys swimming, hiking, reading, watching tv, and spending time with her family and friends.

Nominating Committee Chair Elect
Gila Singer, RD, CSG, CDN, FAND

Gila is a RD and the current Manager, Nutrition and Dietetics for Phelps Hospital, Northwell Health. She has experience across care settings and is passionate about providing optimal nutrition care to the older adult population. Professional interests include equitable food access, malnutrition and age friendly health systems, and her professional goals include completing her master’s in applied nutrition. Gila is a Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition and a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Nominating Committee Member at Large
Aaron Smith, MS, RD

Aaron Smith, MS, RD, is a PhD candidate at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, KS. Aaron's research interests lie at the intersection of skeletal muscle, nutrition, and cognition. Specifically, his dissertation investigates the effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation on skeletal muscle function and size, as well as cognition, in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Upon completing his PhD, Aaron will pursue a post-doctoral fellowship to further develop his research expertise.

Policy and Advocacy Leader
Katherine Bechdol, MS, RDN, CSG, LD

Kat is the Senior Manager, Area Clinical Support for Sodexo in the Southeast and Mid Atlantic Regions. She completed the coordinated program at Georgia State and graduated in 2019. Dietetics is Katherine's second career after working as an environmental consultant. Professional interests include improving the life and dignity of those living in LTC communities, advocating for the dietetics community, and helping families understand the aging process.

Communications Chair
Sofia Sanchez, MBA, RD, LD

Sofia Sanchez, MBA, RD, LD is a Community Health Specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System SNAP-Ed at Auburn University, a USDA-funded program that offers nutrition education and policy, systems, and environmental changes for SNAP-eligible communities. She is also completing a doctorate in community nutrition with a focus on nutrition security and the food pantry environment, of which the majority of clients are at-risk, older adults.

Newsletter Editor in Chief
Kellie Kirschbaum, MS, RDN, LDN

Kellie Kirschbaum is a Registered Dietitian working in menu development & regulatory compliance to develop a budget-friendly menu & food service in long-term care facilities. She currently works as a Menu & Nutrition Specialist at SourceTech in Lisle, IL. She graduated from Loyola University combined master's and dietetic internship in 2022. 



Student Executive Committee Member
Julia D'Amelio, MSN

Julia is a Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition (DCN) student at Fairfield University in Connecticut. She worked previously as a food service associate at Duke Hospital, and as a nutrition counselor at Medi Weight Loss, all while obtaining her Masters of Science in Nutrition in Raleigh, North Carolina. Currently, Julia owns her own private practice in Connecticut where she works as a weight loss and gut health specialist. She has a passion for cooking, writing, traveling, and helping people improve their health and wellness.