2025-2026 Board of Directors
President – 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.
President-Elect – Erin Ortiz – Elected 2025-2028
Past President/Bylaws – 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.
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 – 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 Chair-Elect & Membership Directory – Rachel Ignomirello – Elected 2025-2027
Nominating Member – Morganne Brown – Appointed 2025-2027
CPI Chair/Sponsorship – Kristin Riggsbee – Elected 2025-2027
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 – vacant
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 – Chen Du – Appointed 2025-2026
Volunteer Reporter & Historian – Jenna Martin – Appointed 2025-2026
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 on the KAND Board since 2020. As Historian, her goal is to archive KAND memorabilia to showcase KAND’s inspiring past and carry on KAND’s legacy for decades to come.
Student Delegate – vacant