2024-2025 Board of Directors
President – Alex Gardner – Elected 2023-2026
Alex is a Knoxville native who has been a member of KAND since her Freshman year of college. Alex is the owner of a private practice, Alex Gardner Nutrition LLC, where she specializes in fertility, prenatal, and postpartum nutrition. She is also the founder of a local nonprofit, Alex Gardner’s Mother-Baby Nutrition Foundation, with the mission to improve the holistic health of women and children. As president, she aims to support member involvement and networking throughout the organization and will support the organization and board in whatever capacity it needs.
President-Elect – Lauren Woods – Elected 2024-2027
Lauren is a graduate of the Maples Institute for Culinary Arts, and has a Masters in Public Health Nutrition from the University of Tennessee. She works for UT Extension where she gets to combine her love of nutrition and culinary arts by teaching nutrition and cooking classes to the public. When not working, Lauren can be found trying new restaurants, hiking the Smokies, or hanging out with her three dogs.
Past President/Bylaws – Jenna Martin – Elected 2022-2025
Jenna Martin, MS, RDN, LDN is a lecturer at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her training varies across the lifespan from pediatrics to geriatrics. She has been a member of KAND since 2015 and served as Secretary 2020-2022. As President, her goal is to ‘raise the bar’ by enhancing the membership activities and Board experience. She will support the Board to provide the most benefits the organization, the profession, and the community. Jenna also serves as the Chair for Communications and Marketing for the Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group (PNPG) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Secretary – Heidi Greenhalgh – Elected 2024-2026
Heidi Greenhalgh, MS, RD, LDN is the owner of Nutritious Foundations, LLC a private practice specializing in long-term weight management and chronic disease control. She also works part-time as the wellness dietitian for Fitness Together Personal Training Studios and as a PRN clinical dietitian for Summit View Health Services. She is on the Board of Directors for Grow Oak Ridge, and as a farm-to-table foodie, is passionate about promoting healthy and fresh food in the community. She has been a member of KAND since 2021 and as the Secretary, is excited to spread the word about KAND meetings and opportunities.
Treasurer – Julia Holland – Elected 2024-2026
Julia Holland is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at the Knox County Health Department. She completed her BS at the University of Arizona and her MS/DI at Arizona State University! In her current role, she is the chair of the East Tennessee Wellness Roundtable and teaches diabetes management and heart health classes to the community. Julia is excited to serve as the KAND Treasurer, and looks forward to supporting the organization this year. She is excited to connect with the Knoxville dietetics community, and is looking forward to a fun year!
Nominating Chair – Kori Daniel – Elected 2023-2025
Kori Daniel graduated from The University of Tennessee Knoxville with a BS in Nutrition and a minor in Food Service Systems Management. She then completed their graduate program and earned a MS in Public Health Nutrition, and she completed the dietetic internship with the university. She started her career in long-term care and then transitioned to renal nutrition in the dialysis setting for the past nine years. She is married to her husband of eight years in October (together for 19 years), and they have a precious two-year-old daughter and sweet cats. Kori has a twin sister, the best nephew and a niece on the way. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her family, visit their lake house, read and soak up this time with her daughter.
Nominating Chair-Elect & Membership Directory – Nicole Pazdziorko – Elected 2024-2026
Nicole Pazdziorko is a corporate retail dietitian for Food City. Her role focuses on implementing health and wellness initiatives for customers, associates and community members through content and programs that improve nutrition understanding in their local shopping experience. She is passionate about translating nutrition science into relevant, easy-to-understand messages that help bridge the gap between education and action. Prior to working for Food City, she worked as an inpatient dietitian in Southern Maine and a bariatric dietitian in New Hampshire. She was raised in Maine and earned her Bachelor of Science degrees in Kinesiology and Food Science & Human Nutrition from the University of Maine. She then completed her dietetic internship through Iowa State University.
Nominating Member – Leah Patrick – Appointed 2024-2026
Leah is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist working as a WIC Dietitian in a rural community. She completed her BS at UTK and MS and DI at Samford University. Leah has a passion for public health, improving access to nutritious foods, and encouraging healthy relationships with food. In her free time, Leah loves to spend time with her family, gardening, and crafting.
CPI Chair/Sponsorship – Jennifer Finley – Elected 2023-2025
Jennifer Finley, MS, RDN, LDN, is an assistant professor and DPD director at Carson-Newman University. She is excited about networking with RDNs in the area and helping to grow the KAND organization!
Legislation/Advocacy – Marnie Claxton – Elected 2024-2026
Marnie Claxton is a Registered Dietitian and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist, and is the owner and Chief Executive Officer of Claxton Dietetic Solutions, LLC. She holds an undergraduate degree in Human Environmental Studies with an emphasis in Dietetics from Southeast Missouri State University and completed her Dietetic Internship at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois. Marnie has led Claxton Dietetic Solutions, LLC, for over a decade, providing exceptional nutritional care and management across various healthcare settings. Her extensive experience managing dining services and clinical programs underscores her expertise and commitment to promoting optimal health through nutrition. As the Legislation and Advocacy Chair for KAND, she looks forward to effecting positive change within the dietetic field, pushing for policy reforms, and making an impact beyond her company.
NNM//Media Spokesperson – Lee Murphy – Appointed 2022-2024
Lee Murphy is a Distinguished Lecturer in the Department of Nutrition at the University of Tennessee. She has served in KAND since 2000 in many different capacities and looks forward to working with the Board to promote nutrition education through media outlets.
Webmaster – Amanda Taylor – Appointed 2023-2025
Amanda Taylor, RDN, LDN is a Registered Dietitian and Chief Operating Officer of Claxton Dietetic Solutions, LLC. She completed her undergraduate degrees in Culinary Arts and Culinary Nutrition at Johnson & Wales University, followed by her Dietetic Internship at Massachusetts General Hospital. Since 2017, Amanda has worked in the long-term care consulting sector she has served as a Consultant RD, Clinical Trainer, and Director of Clinical Operations, all preparing her for her current role. She has always had a passion for supporting the growth and development of other RDs and has also found a love for business development and operations. In her role with KAND she looks forward to making new connections with the local community of RDs in order to expand her reach of supporting those in our field, as well as to aid in the growth of KAND membership and the dietetics profession.
Awards and Scholarship – Kelly Darlin – Appointed 2024-2025
Kelly is a wife, mother, and recent graduate of the University of Tennessee- Knoxville Graduate Program in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics. She loves working in her new job in clinical inpatient dietetics. Kelly has enjoyed volunteering with UTK’s Undergraduate Nutrition Student Association, as student liaison to KAND, and with the students of TAND group, and is looking forward to serving with KAND again!
Media Chair – Joanna Goan – Appointed 2024-2025
I am thrilled to take on the role of Media Chairperson with KAND! My primary goal is to enhance our presence and outreach, making our organization a pivotal resource for improving community health. By leveraging social media and other media platforms, I aim to disseminate valuable nutrition information, promote healthy lifestyle choices, and connect with our community more effectively. I believe that by making our academy more accessible and engaging, we can reach a broader audience and empower individuals to make informed choices that benefit their health.
Volunteer Reports & Historian – Darla Smith – Appointed 2024-2025
As a semi-retired dietitian, my background includes degrees from UTK and UC Berkeley. My experience includes 40+ years as a clinical dietitian, ten years with the UT Genetics Center, twelve years in management and supervision and four years of teaching as a full-time assistant professor at Chattanooga State and 13 years as an adjunct instructor at UTK. I served 14 years on the state board including President, Legislative Chair, Nominating, and TN Outstanding Dietitian of the Year, 1996. I stay busy with my dog Blue and my grandchildren Annie and Miles.
Student Delegate – Rikki McDonald – Appointed 2024-2025
Rikki McDonald is a senior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and was recently accepted into the master’s program in Nutrition with a concentration in Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics. Rikki is extremely active in her community and holds Knoxville very dear to her heart, community is her passion. She is also
the President of the Undergraduate Nutrition Student Association and has been a part of UNSA since 2021. Rikki aims to provide access and inclusion for all students while maintaining open communication between students, faculty, KAND, and the community. She is enthusiastic about this role and looks forward to acting as the Student Delegate for KAND.