NvAND Board 

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Elected Board Members

President
Kara Freeman, DrPH, RDN, FAND
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Kara Freeman, DrPH, RD FAND, moved to Las Vegas full-time in 2012 after a 40-year career at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where she was a professor in the Human Nutrition and Food Science Department. During her career at Cal Poly, she taught Introduction to Food Science, Foodservice Systems Management, Nutrition for non-majors, as well as numerous other classes. In addition, she developed and served, for 20 years, as the Director of the post-graduate Dietetic Internship. In her spare time, Kara enjoys hiking, volunteering at Red Rock Canyon andreading.

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Past President
Madeline Belaustegui, RDN, LD​
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Maddy’s love for food started on her family’s farm in Deerfield, Wisconsin. Her childhood consisted of sports, horseback riding, and selling every vegetable imaginable at local farmers markets. With the guidance of her mother Amy, also a registered dietitian, Maddy chose to study at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. It was here that she met her Vegas-born husband.  Maddy is currently the Director of Dietetics at Horizon Specialty Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada.  She serves as a preceptor to University of Nevada, Las Vegas dietetic interns and she is passionate about helping future dietitians find purpose in our field.  In 2018 she started her own practice, Desert Dietitians.  She hopes her future involves growing her business and empowering those with chronic diseases to improve their health while enhancing their relationship with food.  Maddy enjoys hiking, cooking, and dancing with her two feisty daughters and her patient husband, bless his soul.

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Treasurer
Dillon Martin, RDN, LD
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Hi, my name is Dillon Martin and I am excited to be your President for 2020-2021. My overall goal this year to increase the influence of our organization within the community and highlight that “Dietitians Make a Difference”. I graduated from UNLV and earned my registered dietitian license in 2018. I currently work at Premise Health, an outpatient corporate health and wellness clinic servicing Caesar’s Entertainment. I also work per diem at University Medical Center of Southern Nevada. When I’m not providing diabetes education or calculating tube feeds, my two daughters keep me busy at home. I enjoy exercise, particularly triathlon, running, and generally most endurance related sports.

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Secretary 
​Nancy Zheng
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My name is Nancy Zheng and I moved to Las Vegas from Northern California almost 3 years ago. I completed my Bachelors of Science in Clinical Nutrition and DPD at the University of California, Davis and I completed my Masters of Science in Nutrition Science and my Dietetic Internship at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. I am currently working at Desert Springs Hospital, Mountain View Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic and have been enjoying the diversity of different work settings. I am a motivated and hardworking individual who believes in trying her best no matter the task. In my free time you can find me climbing in the mountains, attempting handstands at a yoga studio, or eating out at a local restaurant.​
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House of Delegates/ Reimbursement Representative
Mandi Waiters
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​I have previously served as Public Policy Coordinator and am happy to be supporting NVAND and Nevada RDs as HOD. I currently work tackling food insecurity, inequity and stigma amongst people living with HIV/AIDs as a RD and Health Educator for the Aid For AIDS of Nevada (AFAN). I maintain a clinical presence at Spring Valley Hospital and am currently working towards an MPH with an emphasis on Healthcare Administration from UNLV. When I am not busy I enjoy walking through The Wetlands, watching UFC and keeping up with anything Marvel/DC related.

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Dawn Matusz, NDTR
Public Policy Coordinator
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I am a part time instructor at UNLV, and have taught Nutrition for non-majors as well as food & nutrition policy for Nutrition majors. I live for those lightbulb moments in a student's educational journey when they suddenly understand a concept that had seemed so foreign to them before. It's incredibly rewarding to see interest in food and nutrition policy bloom once they understand the way our governments work to create and implement policy. I am also the Program Assistant for the UNLV Dietetic Internship, and really enjoy being part of growing and improving our program. I have two cats with crazy personalities, and they keep me laughing even on the toughest of days. Warning - I laugh a LOT, and sometimes inappropriately. 

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Nominating Chair
Jolyn Wirshing
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​Jolyn Wirshing, MPH, RDN, LD is the Director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics and also a Lecturer for the Department of Nutrition at the University of Nevada (UNR).  Prior to teaching, she worked as a Dietitian in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, an outpatient weight loss center, nutrition research, pediatric clinics, home health, and long term care facilities.  Throughout her career she has had the experience of providing nutrition lectures to an array of populations.  However, at UNR she has been able to develop her joy of teaching.   

Appointed Board Members

Incoming Nominating Chair
Martha Triay
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I have a lot of passion for diversifying our career because as a Mexican-American I can say that there are not enough people that look like me in the field of dietetics. I hope to possibly change that during my term. I hope to take all the "talk of diversity" and actually make a change. I want to do this by getting our career known to high school students of all backgrounds and from all over Nevada. We have to show our support to our community so that our community can show support to us.  Born in Cancun and raised in Las Vegas, I am excited to be the new Diversity Liaison representing Nevada. I just finished my combined masters and clerkship program with Rutgers University. Prior to that I graduated from University of Nevada, Reno in Nutrition. Currently studying for my RD exam. My nutritional interests are pediatrics, renal and eating disorders. I just accepted my first pediatric dietitian job two months ago. When I am not teaching nutrition I am scrapbooking or enjoying nature by running or hiking.

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Annual Meeting Chair

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State Policy Representative
Sheena Skelton, RDN, LD
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​As the Registered Dietitian for Three Square Food Bank, Sheena helps to ensure high quality nutrition through meal programs, nutrition education, nutrition ranking systems, nutrition policy and healthcare partnerships in the fight against hunger in Southern Nevada. Prior to joining Three Square, she received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Texas State University and commissioned into the United States Air Force (USAF) through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. She has dedicated over 14 years of military service in both the active duty and reserves and continues to serve in the USAF Reserves. She then earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition Sciences and completed her Dietetic Internship with a focus in food banking and food insecurity at the University of Nevada – Las Vegas. Sheena has lived in various countries to include the Philippines, the United States, Panama, Turkey, and Japan, which sparked her enthusiasm for traveling. In addition to traveling, she enjoys hiking, trying new cuisine, and karaoke.  

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Sponsorship Chair
Deborah Joakimson, MS, NDTR
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​I received a BS in Nutrition/Dietetics from UNR as well. I am driven by my passion and a desire for knowledge in the field of Nutrition. I am goal-oriented and hoping to offer skills acquired from my program of education and study, and I am eager to learn and grow in my new career path.  I offer over 17 years of experience of working in administration and bookkeeping in both private and financial institutions. I have provided comprehensive and operational support, which included working directly with clients both domestically and internationally. My prior work experience as well as my studies in Nutrition has provided me with a sense of responsibility, scientific knowledge, and a strong work ethic. I am currently working as a Research Associate in the Department of Nutrition at the University of Nevada, Reno, assisting in the “Rethink Your Drink” project at UNR with Dr. Jaime Benedict.

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Consumer Protection Coordinator
Dillon Martin, RDN, LD
​​contact

Hi, my name is Dillon Martin and I am excited to be your President for 2020-2021. My overall goal this year to increase the influence of our organization within the community and highlight that “Dietitians Make a Difference”. I graduated from UNLV and earned my registered dietitian license in 2018. I currently work at Premise Health, an outpatient corporate health and wellness clinic servicing Caesar’s Entertainment. I also work per diem at University Medical Center of Southern Nevada. When I’m not providing diabetes education or calculating tube feeds, my two daughters keep me busy at home. I enjoy exercise, particularly triathlon, running, and generally most endurance related sports.

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Social Media Chair
Caitlin “Caitie” Parenti, RDN, LD

Born and raised in Reno, NV! I’m a newly licensed Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) with my Bachelor of Science with a Major in Nutrition in August of 2020. My Dietetic Internship was completed through UNR and Renown in September 2021, and I passed the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) Exam later in December 2021. I’m currently working in the community setting as an RDN for a local non-profit called Access to Healthcare Network. I provide nutrition counseling for a wide variety of people in our community through 1-on-1 medical nutrition therapy (MNT), Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) group classes, and Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) group classes. In the future, I would love to specialize in early childhood and picky eating, especially with neurodivergent children! On my off-time, I can be found outside in our Sierra Nevada mountains hiking, camping, and skiing. Some of my other favorite pastimes include thrifting, listening to science podcasts, and taking my golden retriever/lab mix and 2 cats on road trips with my boyfriend. Food is my way of connecting with the diverse cultures and traditions of the world.  ​

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Fundraising chair
Anastasia Gavrilets, MA, RD
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Regulatory Specialist

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Newsletter Editor
Nancy Zheng
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My name is Nancy Zheng and I moved to Las Vegas from Northern California almost 3 years ago. I completed my Bachelors of Science in Clinical Nutrition and DPD at the University of California, Davis and I completed my Masters of Science in Nutrition Science and my Dietetic Internship at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. I am currently working at Desert Springs Hospital, Mountain View Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic and have been enjoying the diversity of different work settings. I am a motivated and hardworking individual who believes in trying her best no matter the task. In my free time you can find me climbing in the mountains, attempting handstands at a yoga studio, or eating out at a local restaurant.​

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Diversity Liaison
Martha Triay
​contact

I have a lot of passion for diversifying our career because as a Mexican-American I can say that there are not enough people that look like me in the field of dietetics. I hope to possibly change that during my term. I hope to take all the "talk of diversity" and actually make a change. I want to do this by getting our career known to high school students of all backgrounds and from all over Nevada. We have to show our support to our community so that our community can show support to us.  Born in Cancun and raised in Las Vegas, I am excited to be the new Diversity Liaison representing Nevada. I just finished my combined masters and clerkship program with Rutgers University. Prior to that I graduated from University of Nevada, Reno in Nutrition. Currently studying for my RD exam. My nutritional interests are pediatrics, renal and eating disorders. I just accepted my first pediatric dietitian job two months ago. When I am not teaching nutrition I am scrapbooking or enjoying nature by running or hiking.

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State Awards Chair 
Laura Kruskall, PhD, RDN, CSSD, LD, FACSM, FAND
​contact

Dr. Kruskall received her Master’s degree in Human Nutrition from Columbia University, her PhD in Nutrition from Penn State University, and is a Fellow of both the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).   In addition, she is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics, and holds a certification in Adult Weight Management, Level 2, from the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. She is an Associate Professor at UNLV and is the Founding Director of the UNLV Nutrition Center, Founding Director of the Dietetic Internship and creator and Graduate Coordinator of the M.S. in Nutrition Sciences Programs.  Dr. Kruskall created the existing Nutrition Sciences educational programs at UNLV and made it her mission over the last 20+ years to be the driving force that makes UNLV Nutrition Sciences the primary source of newly credentialed nutrition and dietetic professionals in southern Nevada

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"Vilasi" Vilasavathi Venkatachalam, MSc., MS, RDN
​Continuing Education Chair
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I am about to complete my 21st year as a Registered Dietitian. I am delighted to be the continuing education coordinator for 2022-2023.  I feel like a genie asking for their wish lists from almost 500 Dietitians. I like the idea of creating new possibilities for all of us. My work has been virtual for the past 10 years. I am exploring possibilities in the Las Vegas Metro area. My wish for the rest of 2022 is to sit in front of people, especially patients and residents, and smile for a few hours.  Do some bedside teaching. Be devoted to ordinary things and bring ease where I can.

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Public Policy Assistant
Brooklyn Dreher
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I grew up in beautiful Reno, NV, surrounded by pine forests and snow-capped mountains. I was raised by a single father, who supported and encouraged me throughout my long journey of education and finding my passion in life. After many years, and several majors later, I found my love for nutrition and never looked back. I attended the the University of Nevada Reno for my bachelors degree in nutrition and dietetics. I completed my internship through the combined Sodexo and University of Rhode Island Masters program where I was able to receive my clinical experience at Valley Hospital and Summerlin Hospital in Las Vegas Nevada. I am currently a clinical dietitian at Saint Mary’s regional Medical Center in Reno Nevada. I work as both an inpatient dietitian as well as an outpatient dietitian at the hospital’s radiation oncology center. I love educating others on the significance of nutrition, while providing guidance to help increase their quality of life.

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Administrator
Lauri Egan, RDN, CPT
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Lauri Egan, Registered Dietitian and Certified Personal Trainer, has been helping people develop a healthy way of life that they love for over ten years. She uses her experience in nutrition, fitness, yoga, and life to help others identify their roadblocks to Loving Life Healthy. After building her own website for Egan Wellness, she started to become more involved with the web design for other health organizations. She found an interest in the organization and internet presence of groups promoting health. She dubs herself a connoisseur of great sunrises, dark chocolate and sidewalk chalk art. When not on the computer, she can be found strumming a guitar, creating impromptu workouts with her kids and, of course, cooking in the kitchen.