SHPN Leadership

To contact your leaders, use the Academy's Leadership Directory. Click here for the Leadership Directory User Guide.

Paula A. Quatromoni, DSc, RD

2023-24 Chair

Paula is a tenured Associate Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology, researcher, and department chair at Boston University (BU). Her research focuses on eating disorders treatment and prevention, eating disorders in sport, child health promotion, dietary patterns, and cardiometabolic disease. In 2004, she pioneered the sports nutrition services at BU. At Walden Behavioral Care where she is a Senior Consultant providing mentorship to the RD team, she led the creation of the GOALS Program, an athlete-specific eating disorder treatment intensive outpatient program. Paula studied Nutrition at the University of Maine, was a dietetic intern at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, and earned a doctorate in Epidemiology at the BU School of Public Health. A member of the Academy for over 35 years and of SCAN/SHPN since 2005, she is an award-winning teacher, preceptor, and mentor.

Anthony Paradis, MS, MA, RD, CSSD, CSCS, USAPL

2023-24 Chair-elect

Tony is a board certified sports dietitian and certified strength coach with a combined 17 years experience in human performance working with athletes and programs at the amateur, collegiate, and professional level. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Nutritional Sciences from Texas Tech University, a Master’s of Science in Nutritional Science from Texas Woman’s University, and a Master’s of Arts in Education from Tennessee Tech University.  He is formerly the director of Olympic sports nutrition for the South Carolina Gamecocks, director of sports nutrition for Tennessee Tech University and is the chair elect of the Sports and Human Performance practice group with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  Tony is passionate about helping others overcome obstacles, plan for success, and reach their goals using the principles of performance nutrition.  Tony competed on American Ninja Warrior in 2012.  Outside of work, he enjoys weightlifting, hiking, and gardening.

Roberta Anding, MS, RD/LD, CDCES, FAND

2023-24 Past Chair

Roberta has been a dietitian since the 1980s and a sports dietitian for the past 25 years. Currently, she holds two positions at Baylor College of Medicine—Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Associate Course Director for the Clinical Application of Basic Science Course—Nutrition. She also teaches an introductory nutrition course at Rice University and is the sports dietitian for the Rice University Owls.

Past positions include the Director of Sports and Adolescent Nutrition at Texas Children’s Hospital, and sports dietitian for the Houston Texans, Houston Astros, and Houston Ballet. She believes that the great thing about being a sports dietitian is that as the profession evolves, so can you!

As a mom, she is very proud of her three children, and her daughter Dr. Katie McInnis is a sports dietitian based in Austin, Texas.

Melinda Valliant, PHD, RD/LD

2023-24 Treasurer

Melinda received a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, a Master of Science in Exercise Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in Exercise Science from The University of Mississippi (UM), better known as “Ole Miss”. She has worked as a clinical dietitian, chief clinical dietitian, fitness center director, sports dietitian and currently as Professor and Department Chair of the Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management and as Director of the Center for Health and Sports Performance at UM. In these roles, she provides administrative oversight of the department, teaches graduate sports nutrition courses, and oversees student research projects.

She and her husband, Stephen, have three children—Marty who is also an alumnus of Ole Miss and 15-year-old twins, Wells and Rebeka. As a family they enjoy traveling, outdoor activities and attending sporting events.

Jessica Garay, Ph.D., RDN, CSCS, FAND

2023-24 Secretary / Policy and Advocacy Leader (PAL)

Jessica is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at Syracuse University. Her main research interests include women’s health and sports nutrition, with current projects on diet and physical activity behaviors among pregnant women and the relationship between energy availability and dietary quality among female collegiate athletes. Jessica also has a sports nutrition-focused private practice, Major League Wellness. Jessica is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and currently serves on the Academy’s Legislative and Public Policy Committee. She previously held the role of Public Policy Coordinator for the NYS Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Jessica recently completed a Science Policy Fellowship through the American Society of Nutrition. 

Jessica is a mom to 2 boys and a girl. She is a former fitness instructor and currently enjoys weight training, hiking, running, yoga, and tennis. 

Michelle Moreau

Director of Member Services

Michelle is currently working toward her master's degree in Human Nutrition and will be graduating in May 2023. She received her bachelor's degree in Human Development from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014, subsequently working in local policy and research before embracing her passion for nutrition and going back to school. Currently she is a fueling station manager with the University of Texas at Austin football program and a group fitness instructor at Texas State University. She will begin her dietetic internship with Texas State University in August 2022 and will complete the internship in May 2023. She aspires to work in collegiate football afterward as an RD, ultimately working toward earning her CSSD.

In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors in the beautiful Hill Country, volunteering at the local animal shelter, and spending time with her family.

Linda Samuels, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN

Delegate 

Linda is a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics, with over 15 years of experience in the sports and human performance practice area.  Past positions of leadership, and as a consultant sports dietitian include:

- 2 years as Director of Sports and Human Performance subunit of SCAN

- 14 years in various leadership roles in SCAN and SHPN, most recently as Director of Career Advancement of SHPN

- Project Manager and Mentor for Gatorade Sports Fueling Project in 2014-2015 and 2022-2023

- Expert Review Panel of CSSDs for the recently published Revised Sports and Human Performance Nutrition Standards of Practice/Standards of Professional Performance document of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

- Consultant Dietitian for Northwestern University Athletics 2019-2021

- Consultant Sports Dietitian for Gatorade and Gatorade Sports Science Institute 2015-present

- Consultant Sports Dietitian for NBA G League

Linda is also the owner of a private practice for the past 15 years, focusing on elite and professional athletes.  Clients include top performing athletes from the NBA, NFL, WBC, UFC and collegiate athletes. Two sub-specialties include ultra-endurance athletes (Ironman), and combat sports including professional boxing and MMA.

Linda obtained her BS in Dietetics is from Andrews University and her MS in Dietetics from Mount Mary University.

Leslie J. Bonci, MPH, RD, CSSD, LDN, FAND

Director of Development 

Leslie is a registered dietitian, board certified specialist in sports dietetics and is the owner of Active Eating Advice- be fit, fed, fearless- a nutrition consulting company and co-founder of Performance365- a sports nutrition consulting company. She is currently the sports nutrition consultant for the 2020 Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Her company, Performance 365 provides sports nutrition services for the XFL and is the sports nutrition provider for the FCFL/FCBL league and the USFL. Leslie is also a past chair of SCAN.

She is the author of Sport Nutrition for Coaches and the American Dietetic Association Guide to Better Digestion and co-author of Run Your Butt Off, Walk Your Butt Off, the Active Calorie Diet and Bike Your Butt Off. She has authored numerous chapters for sports medicine and sports nutrition manuals. Leslie is also a blogger for US News and World Report and participates in many podcasts as well as providing nutrition expertise for television, radio and print interviews. 

Leslie is an adjunct instructor in the school of dental medicine at the University of Pittsburgh , also teaches in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Pitt and the Athletic training program at Duquesne University. Leslie received her undergraduate degree in Biopsychology from Vassar College, her Masters’ in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh and completed her dietetic internship at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Leslie was the director of sports nutrition at the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine for 16 years.

Leslie is a nationally and internationally recognized speaker presenting on topics such as nutrition misinformation, the Combatting Misinformation, the Winning Plate and the Fuels of Engagement.  She focuses on client- centered care with an emphasis on listening, meeting clients where they are and realistic recommendations over idealistic expectations. She is a 2021 recipient of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics  Medallion Award.

Yasi Ansari, MS, RDN, CSSD

Content Expert Committee Director

In this role, Yasi puts together content experts to create sport-specific resources for sports dietitians and other professionals. Additionally, as a SHPN volunteer she collaborates with the Athletes and the Arts initiative to help create educational content for performing artists. As the SHPN and AATA liaison, she also co-hosts the Athletes and the Arts podcast. 

Yasi is the owner of a consulting practice in Los Angeles specializing in nutrition for sports and nutrition therapy for eating disorders/disordered eating. She helps athletes explore their relationship with food and body while helping support them in meeting goals for high-level performance. In addition, she works with adolescents diagnosed with eating disorders at UCLA Health Santa Monica. Yasi's past positions include Assistant Director of Performance Nutrition at UC Berkeley Athletics, Team Sports Dietitian and Clinical Nutrition Coordinator at UCLA Athletics and Sports Dietitian at Cal State University Long Beach, Athletics. 

Yasi is a National Media Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a graduate of UCLA and earned her master's degree from California State University, Northridge.

Kelly Pritchett, PhD, RD, CSSD

Social Media Coordinator

Kelly is an Associate Professor in Nutrition and Exercise Science at Central Washington University. As a board-certified specialist in sports dietetics, she has consulted with both elite and collegiate athletes as well as with active individuals. While in college, she competed on the swimming and diving team at the University of Alabama. She served as a National Media Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for 6 years. Pritchett is an active member of the American College of Sports Medicine. She has authored research articles for scientific journals and presented at regional and national conferences. Her current research interests include sports nutrition for para-athletes, vitamin D and the athlete, and energy availability in athletes.

In her spare time, she enjoys running and spending time with her three active boys.

Carmen Young MFN, RDN, CSSD

Nominating Committee Member

Carmen has been a lifelong athlete-starting swimming lessons when she was 7 years old, competing as a Division 1 collegiate swimmer, to becoming a US Masters Swimming National Champion at 26 years old. This is where her love for nutrition and sports stemmed from. Carmen has worked in the School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness at the University of Arizona since 2018, serving as an Associate Professor of Practice, specifically teaching Sports Nutrition and Nutrition and Human Performance course curriculum. Prior to teaching, Carmen worked as a Research Assistant in an Exercise Physiology lab at Bowling Green State University, performing various types of research based in nutrition and physical activity. From there, she pursued her true passion for sports nutrition as a Performance Nutrition Dietitian at Rutgers University, working one-on-one with athletes and teams, providing individualized nutrition services and education. Her love for helping athletes fuel themselves to their greatest potential, while also creating great relationships with food and their body runs deep, stemming from her own experience as an elite athlete.

Jennifer Burris PhD, RDN, CNSC, CDCES, CSSD

Research Committee Director

Jennifer is a Registered Dietitian and part-time faculty in Nutrition at California State University Channel Islands (Calabasas, CA), New York University (New York, NY), and Saddleback College (Mission Viejo, CA). Jennifer’s research focuses on the integrated role of nutrition, physical activity, and chronic skin disease, particularly acne, to promote patient wellness. She has a passion for nutrition and is currently a Sports Nutrition Consultant for the Ventura County Fire department (Ventura County, CA), targeting the unique nutrition needs of first responders. Jennifer also has extensive experience as a clinical dietitian, previously focusing on acute care at the University of California, Irvine, long-term care for Dietitians of Orange County (California), and pediatric patient care within the Metabolic Disorders and Genetic Inborn Errors of Metabolism at Children’s Hospital Orange County, (California).

Jeanie Subach, EdD, RD, CSSD, LDN

Editor-in-Chief, Expeditions

Jeanie Subach is a Registered Dietitian and a Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics with over 35 years of experience. She is a Professor at West Chester University of Pennsylvania where she teaches in the DPD (Didactic Program in Dietetics) and dietetic internship programs. Jeanie teaches sports nutrition, culinary nutrition, and plant-based nutrition courses. 

Jeanie has an extensive background in sports nutrition, acting as team nutritionist for the Philadelphia 76er for over 30 years. She served as the team dietitian for the Philadelphia Flyers for eight years and the Philadelphia Eagles for 14 seasons. In addition to working with professional athletes, Jeanie works with area recreational, high school and collegiate athletes.  

Jeanie enjoys running and paddle boarding, and is an avid skier, but find the most pleasure in the kitchen!   Jeanie’s proudest accomplishment is her family, and is the proud mother of 3 daughters, and Mom-Mom to John and Whitney.

Aileen McAinsh, PhD, RD, LDN

Managing Editor, Expeditions

Aileen began her career as a laboratory scientist after earning a BSc (Honors) in Pharmacology from Glasgow University, Scotland, and a PhD in Cardiovascular Physiology from Imperial College, London, UK. Following a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Heidelberg, in Germany, she pivoted to working with the publisher Springer Verlag, Heidelberg, before starting her own scientific editing/copy-editing business—LeKtorin—when she moved to Nashville, TN, in 1998. Aileen trained to become a registered dietitian in 2013 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and now combines her nutrition and publication expertise as a scientific/medical copy editor and the managing editor of the SHPN newsletter, Expeditions. She also works as a clinical dietitian in the Pediatric Eskind Diabetes Clinic at the Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville.

Jennifer Ketterly, RD/LDN

Founding Chair

Jennifer earned her BS in Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University and her MS in Clinical Nutrition/Sports Nutrition while at the University of Kentucky. She is currently the Associate Director of Sports Performance at the Duke Sports Science Institute and a faculty member in Duke’s Department of Orthopedics. She also serves as the sports dietitian for the Charlotte Hornets and North Carolina Central University Athletics. Much of her early career was spent working as a sports dietitian in sports and athletic medicine throughout various division-1 institutions. She served as the Chair of the SCAN DPG from 2018 to 2021 and has now taken over this role for the new SHPN DPG.

She likes to spend her free time hiking with her family on the weekends and working on new SHPN initiatives. She has a strong, funny, willful 4-year old that is full of energy and two very fluffy, gorgeous Persian cats that get way more sleep than she does these days!

Elise Fette

DPG Manager

Elise guides the SHPN DPG executive committee, volunteers and contractors as they develop and execute programs, projects and member benefits. 
 
Prior to joining the Academy, Elise earned nonprofit association management experience with positions at the Financial Planning Association, Institute of Real Estate Management, American Library Association and SmithBucklin. Elise has a BA in Communications from Ohio State University as well as a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from the University of Georgia.