Dairy Advocates

Abigail Copenhaver

Abbey Copenhaver is a mom, registered dietitian, dairy farmer and runner/triathlete from the Finger Lakes region of NY. She is the owner of Farmstead Nutrition & Consulting, focusing on agricultural production, food technology, nutrition and fitness related services. In addition, she teaches at Finger Lakes Community College’s as a part of their 2-year Nutritional Science program. Abbey and her husband farm with 4 other couples on 2 dairy farms; Ivy Lakes Dairy & Gorham Dairy.

Abbey practices with a farming, food and fitness approach. As a Registered Dietitian and foodie she believes food should fuel your body and taste buds! This approach encompasses the connection between agricultural food production, nutrition and physical activity to promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

You can follow Abigail on Instagram, and LinkedIn, or E-mail her.

Beth Stark, RDN, LDN

Beth Stark, RDN, LDN is a seasoned nutrition expert with extensive experience in nutrition communications, program development, brand ambassadorship, traditional and social media, and consumer health and wellness marketing.

After more than a decade as a retail dietitian, Beth transformed her “side hustle” into the dietitian career of her dreams—partnering with like-minded brands, people, and organizations as Beth Stark Nutrition to create nourishing recipes for everyday life and engaging content that inspires healthy and happy living. Her recipes, articles, blog, and video content contribute style, value, and flair to client websites, social media platforms, broadcast media segments, and e-newsletters.

As a media-trained dietitian, Beth regularly appears in on-set and virtual broadcast news segments and contributes expert quotes for nationally-recognized print and digital publications. She also serves as a brand spokesperson, delivers presentations and webinars, and hosts interactive cooking demonstrations.

Beth received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutritional Sciences from Penn State University (go Nittany Lions!) and completed the Aramark Metro New York dietetic internship program.

You can follow Beth on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, or E-mail her.

Clancy Cash Harrison, MS, RDN, FAND

Hailed as a “heavy hitter in the fight against hunger” by Today’s Dietitian Magazine, Clancy Harrison is a leading authority in nutrition security. As the founder of the Food Dignity® Movement, author of Feeding Baby, TEDx speaker, podcast host, and TV/media contributor, Clancy challenges the way nutrition security is approached. Her mission to demolish the stigma around food accessibility places her on the cutting edge of food equity.

Her message gives rise to refreshingly simple strategies for how leaders can put her ideas for food equity (or what she calls Food Dignity®) into action to create real and lasting change.

Currently, Clancy is a member of the Tufts Innovation Platform, Ambassador of the National Dairy Council, member of the Food Lab at Google, and a past president of a large food pantry where her team has served over five million meals. You can tune in weekly with Clancy at The Food Dignity® Podcast.

You can follow Clancy on Facebook , X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Constance Brown-Riggs, MSEd, RDN, CDCES, CDN

Constance Brown-Riggs—an award-winning registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, and former spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, is the author of the Diabetes Guide to Enjoying Foods of the World; The African American Guide to Living Well With Diabetes, which received the Favorably Reviewed designation from the American Association of Diabetes Educators; and Eating Soulfully and Healthfully with Diabetes.

Over the course of her career, Constance has established herself as an expert in nutrition, diabetes, and the cultural issues that impact the health and health care of people of color. Her work has appeared in books for health professionals and health care consumers, and she has been a featured expert in national magazines such as Essence, Real Health, Diabetic Living, and Diabetes Forecast. She also is a regular contributor to Today’s Dietitian, also serving on the magazine’s advisory board, and to BlackDoctor.org.

You can follow Constance on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Heather Mangieri, MS, RDN, CSSD, LDN

Heather is an internationally recognized registered dietitian-nutritionist, a board-certified specialist in sports dietetics and author with a passion for helping athletes fuel and hydrate to maximize their health, development and athletic performance. Her expertise is in fueling young athletes, disordered eating in sports, and nutrition communications. In 2008, she founded Heather Mangieri Nutrition where she provides counseling, consulting and communication services for organizations and companies focused on evidence-based health and wellness.

As a sports dietitian and nutrition counselor, Heather helps young athletes properly fuel to perform their best through their adolescent years. She specializes in providing nutrition therapy for male, female and nonbinary athletes struggling with low energy availability, disordered eating patterns and eating disorders. She’s also a strong advocate for promoting evidence-based nutrition and works with schools, organizations and companies to develop and deliver appropriate and science-based sports nutrition content, policies and screening tools to meet the needs of student athletes.

Heather served as a national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics for 8 years and currently sits on the board of editors for the Academy’s online Sports Nutrition Care Manual®. Her solid reputation as a trusted source of evidence-based food, fitness and nutrition information has resulted in hundreds of national and local publications, including TV, radio, print and digital. She uses her expertise to create and deliver science-based messages for consumers through traditional and social media, corporate wellness programs, and by working with companies, organizations and brands that align with her likes and values.
She studied human nutrition with an emphasis on research at the Pennsylvania State University, receiving her BS degree in 1996. She earned her MS in wellness and human performance from the University of Pittsburgh in 2007.

She resides in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, USA.

You can follow Heather on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Isabel Vasquez Larson, RD, LDN

Isabel Vasquez Larson RD, LDN is a NY-based registered dietitian, freelance writer, and the owner of Nourishing Narratives LLC. She is passionate about providing evidence-based nutrition information to her readers and clients so they can make empowered decisions around their health. Much of her work is focused on helping Latines appreciate the nutritional value of their cultural foods and foster better relationships with their bodies. Her writing has appeared in outlets like EatingWell, Health.com, HipLatina, and Business Insider. When she isn’t working with clients or writing about all things health and nutrition, you can find her curling up with a good book, spending time in the great outdoors, or taking a class at her local yoga studio.

Jessica Garay, PhD, RDN, FAND, CSCS

Jessica L. Garay, PhD, RDN, CSSD, FAND, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at Syracuse University. Her focus areas include women’s health and sports nutrition, particularly prenatal/postpartum and female athlete populations. Dr. Garay also serves as the consulting sports dietitian for LeMoyne College Athletics. She earned a PhD in Science Education from Syracuse University, a MS degree in Exercise Science from George Washington University, and BS degrees in Nutritional Sciences and Human Development from Cornell University. She is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and has worked at the Food Bank of Central New York, Washington (DC) Cancer Institute, and in her private practice, Major League Wellness. In addition, Dr. Garay is a Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher.

Jessica lives in upstate NY with her husband, children, and a handful of backyard chickens!

You can follow Jessica on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Julie Raway, MPH, RDN, CDN, SNS, FAND

Julie is a Registered Dietitian, School Nutrition Expert, and Consultant dedicated to helping individuals and communities build healthy, nutritious habits that last. Since 2009, she has led the Rock on Cafe™ School Nutrition Services program, at Broome-Tioga Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), where she partners with school food service directors to strengthen meal programs, meet federal nutrition standards, and expand community engagement through grants and partnerships. Her work has earned national recognition from the USDA and CDC for advancing healthier school meals and supporting student wellness. In addition to her leadership in school nutrition, Julie works as a consultant with organizations that share her commitment to improving nutrition and creating healthier food environments.

Julie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from Cornell University and completed her Dietetic Internship at Syracuse University. She later earned a Master of Public Health from the University at Albany, expanding her impact into broader community health initiatives. She is also a graduate of the Cornell University LeadNY Class 18/19. In addition, she serves as the Farm to School Chair for the New York School Nutrition Association and is a Past President of the New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Outside of work, Julie enjoys traveling, gardening, and coaching figure skating. She loves introducing her two children to new foods and cultures and has a passion for food photography. These experiences continue to fuel her lifelong passion for nutrition, food, and community.

Keith-Thomas Ayoob, EdD, RD, FAND

Keith Thomas Ayoob is Associate Clinical Professor Emeritus at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City where he directed a nutrition clinic for 32 years for persons with special needs, specializing in obesity and family dynamics and utilizing motivational counseling.

In the private sector, Dr. Ayoob has actively advocated for positive strategic change. He co-authored a highly regarded global nutrition policy for the Walt Disney Corporation in 2006 and updated those landmark guidelines in 2012. These guidelines received wide acclaim, including endorsement by the White House and First Lady Michelle Obama.

Dr. Ayoob sits on several advisory boards, including the editorial board of the journal Childhood Obesity, and recently joined the Board of Directors of the Urban School Food Alliance. As an Academy media spokesperson, he participated in 1000+ interviews in television, print, and digital media. His website is: www.cuttothechasenutrition.com where he posts his EdibleRx column.

Dr. Ayoob was the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics media spokesperson for 9 years, during which he participated in over 1,000 media interviews on TV, radio, and in print and digital media.

Dr. Ayoob received his doctorate from Columbia University’s Teachers College, his Master’s from the Columbia’s College of Physicians and Surgeons.

You can follow Dr. Ayoob on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

Laura Ligos, MBA, RD

Laura Ligos is a registered dietitian & 2x cookbook author who resides in Albany, NY. She believes in a food first approach and focuses on optimizing the health and wellness of active women. She has a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Sciences from Cornell University and went on to complete her Dietetic Internship and MBA at Dominican University. She started her own private practice & brand “The Sassy Dietitian” to help be a credible resource for those looking to improve their relationship with food and optimize overall health without restrictive diets.

Website: thesassydietitian.com

You can follow Laura on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Lauren Smith, RD

Lauren Smith is a Registered Dietitian and the owner of Lauren’s Balanced Bites, a nutrition practice based in the Greater Philadelphia area serving clients virtually across the United States. Lauren and her team of Dietitians support individuals at every stage of life, specializing in general health, sports nutrition, eating disorders, and pregnancy/postpartum nutrition.

Through an evidence-based approach, Lauren helps clients build sustainable habits, improve their relationship with food, and prioritize their health without restrictive diets.

In addition to her work with clients, Lauren is also a content creator on social media under @laurensbalancedbites, where she shares practical nutrition tips, balanced recipes, and myth-busting content designed to make evidence-based nutrition approachable, realistic, and empowering.

Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, CSSD, LDN

Leslie J. Bonci , MPH,RD,CSSD, LDN, FAND 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 just ended a 31 year tenure in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs. Her company, Performance 365 provides sports nutrition services for high school, professional and masters athletes.

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.

You can follow Leslie on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Mandy Enright, MS, RDN, RYT

Mandy Enright, MS, RDN, RYT is an award-winning registered dietitian, yoga, fitness, and mindfulness instructor based at the Jersey Shore and author of 30-Minute Weight Loss Cookbook: 100+ Quick and Easy Recipes for Sustainable Weight Loss. She specializes in corporate wellness, nutrition communications, and providing simple, actionable mealtime solutions from planning to preparation. A prior career as an advertising executive fuels her mission for promoting self-care to busy professionals. Mandy is known as the FOOD + MOVEMENT® Dietitian for her fun and flexible approach to maximize body and mind performance through lifestyle and mindset changes that integrate rather than deviate into our busy daily lives. Mandy frequently appears in the media sharing her nutrition and wellness expertise with outlets including the CW, ABC, US News & World Report, Eating Well and SHAPE.

Learn more about Mandy at www.mandyenright.com and follow her @mandyenrightRD on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

Nada Mays, MS, RDN, LDN

Nada Mays is a Registered Dietitian and professionally trained chef who owns an insurance-based private practice, Nutrition By Nada LLC. The practice serves PA, NY, NJ, and DE. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She is chair-elect of the Hunger and Environmental Nutrition (HEN) national dietetic practice group (DPG). She is also a NOBIDAN, DDPG, PHCNPG, and PA State Affiliate member. Nada completed her master’s in Community and Public Health Nutrition at Saint Elizabeth University after studying culinary arts at Johnson & Wales. Nada is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer. She completed her service in The Kingdom of eSwatini, Africa, from 2016-2018. Through her work, Nada blends her background in national and international public health, culinary arts, and clinical nutrition to provide personalized and culturally inclusive nutrition support.

Natasha A. Evans, MS, RDN, LDN

Natasha A. Evans, MS, RDN, LDN is a seasoned Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with over 15 years of diverse experience spanning community health, clinical nutrition, and leadership. Originally from Miami, Florida, Natasha holds a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition from New York University and a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Florida State University.

Her career journey includes impactful roles at institutions such as WIC, long-term care facilities, hospitals, dialysis centers, Cornell University, and Thomas Jefferson University. She is the founder of Natasha Ashley Nutrition, a consulting practice dedicated to helping individuals navigate the complexities of nutrition to achieve and sustain their health goals.

Natasha is also a dynamic recipe developer, content creator, and food and nutrition ambassador. She has collaborated with leading brands including Chobani, A&E Networks, Aetna, Macy’s, The American Dairy Association, Danone, and others to promote accessible, culturally relevant nutrition.

Currently, Natasha serves as an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the Master’s in Nutrition and Dietetic Practice program at Thomas Jefferson University. In this role, she not only teaches and guides future nutrition professionals, but also plays a pivotal role in shaping their clinical training by carefully selecting and coordinating their supervised practice rotations.

Driven by the belief that wellness begins with food, Natasha champions the idea that culturally rich, flavorful meals can be the foundation of a balanced and healthy life.

Stevie Lyn Smith, MS, RDN, CSSD, CDN

Stevie Lyn Smith MS, RD, CSSD, CDN is the owner and founder of Stevie Lyn Nutrition, a virtual private nutrition practice geared towards helping athletes and active individuals.

As a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics and former Ironman distance triathlete, she combines her passion for endurance athletics with evidence-based nutrition practices to help you reach your health and performance goals. With over a decade of experience in nutrition counseling and education, she’s worked with athletes of all levels and individuals managing various health conditions. As an ultra-endurance athlete with 10 Ironman finishes under her belt, she understands firsthand the crucial role nutrition plays in both performance and everyday life.

Maintaining an active lifestyle while balancing rheumatoid arthritis has given her a unique perspective on balancing health challenges with athletic goals. This personal experience drives her passion for helping others thrive, whether they’re managing chronic conditions, pursuing athletic achievements, or simply seeking a healthier lifestyle.

She received her B.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition from SUNY Buffalo State University and M.S. in Applied Nutrition with a Sports and Fitness concentration from Northeastern University.

She is currently co-authoring her first book, Power Up: A Young Woman’s Playbook for Sports Nutrition with Strong Girl Publishing. She has contributed to a number of publications including Run Tri Bike Magazine, Runner's World Magazine, Outside Magazine, Bicycling Magazine, and Triathlete Magazine. She also has her own Podcast, Real Fuel with SLS, where she explores the human side of endurance sports while educating on evidence-based sports nutrition.

In her free time, she enjoys volunteering at the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter. When she’s not swimming, biking, or running you can find her outside exploring new trails, in her kitchen cooking for friends, or hanging with her dog.

You can follow Stevie on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN

With 20+ years of experience in the food and nutrition industry, Toby Amidor is an award-winning nutrition expert and Wall Street Journal best-selling cookbook author who believes that healthy and wholesome food can also be appetizing and delicious. Toby is the founder of Toby Amidor Nutrition, PC where she provides nutrition and food safety consulting services for individuals, restaurants and food brands. Toby is the author of eleven cookbooks. For over 18 years she has been the nutrition expert for FoodNetwork.com, writing for their Healthy Eats Blog, and is a regular contributor to U.S. News and World Report, EatThis.com, Eatingwell.com, Shape.com, and more. For the past 11 years, she writes the “Ask the Expert” column in Today’s Dietitian Magazine and is the official closing session speaker annually at the Today’s Dietitian Symposium. In 2021, Toby was appointed to the Forbes Health Advisory Board, EatThis.com Medical Advisory Board for EatThis.com, and Today’s Dietitian Editorial Advisory Board.

Toby has been quoted in thousands of publications like FoxNews.com, Forbes.com, Self.com, Dr. Oz The Good Life, Reader’s Digest, Shape.com, and many more. Toby also appears on national and local television including shows like The Dr. Oz Show, CT Style and appears regularly on Fox61 Morning News (Hartford, CT). For 11 years she served as an adjunct professor at Columbia University, Teachers College and also was an adjunct professor at Hunter College and Lehman College in New York City. Toby trained as a clinical dietitian at New York University. Through ongoing consulting and faculty positions, she has established herself as one of the top experts in culinary nutrition, food safety, and media communications. In 2018, Toby was awarded by the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics the coveted Media Excellence Award.

You can follow Toby on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.