Steering and Envisioning Committee
The Steering and Envisioning Committee (SEC) is the leadership team responsible for the ongoing administration and development of NYCNEN. There are up to ten SEC members chosen by consensus with no more than three SEC members leaving the leadership team in any year. Additional SEC members may be appointed as needed. Of the ten SEC members, one shall be the Chair, and another shall be a student member.
SEC members attend SEC and NYCNEN General Meetings, participate in annual summer retreats, plan/provide support to General Meetings, Skill-builders and other NYCNEN-sponsored events, identify and support liaison among membership and with other relevant membership organizations, Approve outside official NYCNEN correspondence (testimony, comments, support letters).
Meet our 2021-2022 team!
SEC members attend SEC and NYCNEN General Meetings, participate in annual summer retreats, plan/provide support to General Meetings, Skill-builders and other NYCNEN-sponsored events, identify and support liaison among membership and with other relevant membership organizations, Approve outside official NYCNEN correspondence (testimony, comments, support letters).
Meet our 2021-2022 team!
Tutu Badaru, MS (Chair)
Tutu is the Youth Engagement Coordinator for GrowNYC’s Greenmarket program. Her passion for food and people led her pursue a career in clinical nutrition. However, after working in the field for two years and a graduate degree later, she transitioned to focus more broadly on food policy and how it relates to food choice. At GrowNYC, she is part of a team that creates a learning environment within the Greenmarkets where students K-12 can engage with locally grown food and its growers. GrowNYC’s fun, interactive Greenmarket School Tours help children gain an understanding of farming in the North East region and how their food choices impact their bodies, their communities and their environment. This is Tutu's fourth year on SEC.
Tutu is the Youth Engagement Coordinator for GrowNYC’s Greenmarket program. Her passion for food and people led her pursue a career in clinical nutrition. However, after working in the field for two years and a graduate degree later, she transitioned to focus more broadly on food policy and how it relates to food choice. At GrowNYC, she is part of a team that creates a learning environment within the Greenmarkets where students K-12 can engage with locally grown food and its growers. GrowNYC’s fun, interactive Greenmarket School Tours help children gain an understanding of farming in the North East region and how their food choices impact their bodies, their communities and their environment. This is Tutu's fourth year on SEC.
Fadhylla Saballos MPH, RD, CDN, IBCLC (Chair-Elect)
Fadhylla (Fa-thee-la) is the Director of Nutrition and Outreach Programs at Montefiore’s Bronx Health Collective. Fadhylla’s community nutrition experience ranges from the farmers market to NYC classrooms, facilitating nutrition workshops for the Stellar Farmers’ Market, a Program of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, breastfeeding classes as a WIC nutritionist for Public Health Solutions and cooking demos for Just Food and Children’s Aid. Fadhylla holds a MPH in Nutrition from CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy and a BS in Health and Nutrition from Brooklyn College. This is Fadhylla’s second year on SEC.
Fadhylla (Fa-thee-la) is the Director of Nutrition and Outreach Programs at Montefiore’s Bronx Health Collective. Fadhylla’s community nutrition experience ranges from the farmers market to NYC classrooms, facilitating nutrition workshops for the Stellar Farmers’ Market, a Program of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, breastfeeding classes as a WIC nutritionist for Public Health Solutions and cooking demos for Just Food and Children’s Aid. Fadhylla holds a MPH in Nutrition from CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy and a BS in Health and Nutrition from Brooklyn College. This is Fadhylla’s second year on SEC.
Claire Holmes (Administrative Coordinator)
Claire is currently a first year student in the MS-RDN Nutrition and Exercise Physiology program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Claire received her Bachelors in Environmental Engineering at Lehigh University prior to transitioning into nutrition. She became interested in environmental issues after implementing an environmental education program for children in rural and urban areas in Argentina. This is her first year on SEC.
Claire is currently a first year student in the MS-RDN Nutrition and Exercise Physiology program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Claire received her Bachelors in Environmental Engineering at Lehigh University prior to transitioning into nutrition. She became interested in environmental issues after implementing an environmental education program for children in rural and urban areas in Argentina. This is her first year on SEC.
Anna Rickards MS, RDN/CDN, CLC
Anna is a Community Nutritionist and Certified Lactation Counselor at Community Healthcare Network's Tremont Health Center in the Bronx, providing outpatient bilingual nutrition and breastfeeding counseling. Anna holds a BA in Biology from Oberlin College and a MS in Nutrition and Education from Teachers College Columbia University. She is also an active member of La Finca del Sur Community Farm and a board member of the South Bronx Farmers Market. This is Anna's fourth year on SEC.
Anna is a Community Nutritionist and Certified Lactation Counselor at Community Healthcare Network's Tremont Health Center in the Bronx, providing outpatient bilingual nutrition and breastfeeding counseling. Anna holds a BA in Biology from Oberlin College and a MS in Nutrition and Education from Teachers College Columbia University. She is also an active member of La Finca del Sur Community Farm and a board member of the South Bronx Farmers Market. This is Anna's fourth year on SEC.
Annette Nielson, MA
Annette is a health and wellness specialist, whose career in food, nutrition and culinary programming started over 20 years ago. She has cooked in the kitchen of Glorious Food, tested recipes for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, helped launch and manage a shared-use kitchen and coordinated community farm-to-table events. She has led culinary nutrition programming for medical residents, and cooking workshops for senior citizens and families at cooking schools, community centers, urban gardens and farms, and currently works with the Lenox Hill Neighborhood HouseTeaching Kitchen. An award-winning food writer and editor, Annette’s work has appeared in national and regional publications such as Edible, Adirondack Life, Eating Well, The NYC Food Policy Center, The Saratogian, The Hill Rag and The Washington Post. In addition to serving on SEC for the New York City Nutrition Education Network, she’s a member of the New York Women’s Culinary Alliance, Chef’s Consortium and Food-Ed Coalition and WELL Campaign for Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy. Annette earned her BA in Fine Arts from Colgate University, MA in Writing from Johns Hopkins and certification in Nutrition + Healthy Living from Cornell University. This is her third year on SEC.
Annette is a health and wellness specialist, whose career in food, nutrition and culinary programming started over 20 years ago. She has cooked in the kitchen of Glorious Food, tested recipes for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, helped launch and manage a shared-use kitchen and coordinated community farm-to-table events. She has led culinary nutrition programming for medical residents, and cooking workshops for senior citizens and families at cooking schools, community centers, urban gardens and farms, and currently works with the Lenox Hill Neighborhood HouseTeaching Kitchen. An award-winning food writer and editor, Annette’s work has appeared in national and regional publications such as Edible, Adirondack Life, Eating Well, The NYC Food Policy Center, The Saratogian, The Hill Rag and The Washington Post. In addition to serving on SEC for the New York City Nutrition Education Network, she’s a member of the New York Women’s Culinary Alliance, Chef’s Consortium and Food-Ed Coalition and WELL Campaign for Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy. Annette earned her BA in Fine Arts from Colgate University, MA in Writing from Johns Hopkins and certification in Nutrition + Healthy Living from Cornell University. This is her third year on SEC.
Deborah Johnson, MS
Deborah is a Plant-based Community Nutritionist who holds a Master of Science degree in Nutrition and the founder of My Temple Wellness. She currently works at Riverdale Senior Services (RSS) as the Community Health Nutrition Educator serving the Northwest section of the Bronx. Previously, Deborah served as Director of Health and Wellness at Harlem Church NYC. She also taught nutrition education at The Mott Hall Middle School in Harlem NY.
As a Nutritionist, Deborah is committed to the journey of helping people make lasting changes by adopting healthy habits for life, at their respective levels of readiness. She believes that when individuals, families, and communities are empowered with nutrition education, they generally make better decisions to increase their lifespan and live quality lives. Her goal is to increase the knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and health outcomes of the communities she serves through nutrition literacy. This is her second year on SEC.
Deborah is a Plant-based Community Nutritionist who holds a Master of Science degree in Nutrition and the founder of My Temple Wellness. She currently works at Riverdale Senior Services (RSS) as the Community Health Nutrition Educator serving the Northwest section of the Bronx. Previously, Deborah served as Director of Health and Wellness at Harlem Church NYC. She also taught nutrition education at The Mott Hall Middle School in Harlem NY.
As a Nutritionist, Deborah is committed to the journey of helping people make lasting changes by adopting healthy habits for life, at their respective levels of readiness. She believes that when individuals, families, and communities are empowered with nutrition education, they generally make better decisions to increase their lifespan and live quality lives. Her goal is to increase the knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and health outcomes of the communities she serves through nutrition literacy. This is her second year on SEC.
Eileen Z. Fuentes, MA
Eileen is a Health educator and community health activist. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and since then has become a fierce advocate for all patients with a focus on the most vulnerable. For six years, she led a free bilingual wellness program for patients in collaboration with the Herbert Irving Cancer Center at Columbia University Medical Center where she now works full-time addressing disparities in cancer care using communication and patient education strategies that are culturally appropriate. She has served on the Community Education Council, appointed by the Manhattan Borough President and was recently selected as community advocate specifically to provide the perspective and lived experience of Latinx and other underrepresented patient populations for the SWOG Cancer Research Network, which is dedicated to improving the practice of medicine and to enhance the quality of life for cancer survivors. She recently completed her graduate degree in Health Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. This is her second year on SEC.
Eileen is a Health educator and community health activist. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and since then has become a fierce advocate for all patients with a focus on the most vulnerable. For six years, she led a free bilingual wellness program for patients in collaboration with the Herbert Irving Cancer Center at Columbia University Medical Center where she now works full-time addressing disparities in cancer care using communication and patient education strategies that are culturally appropriate. She has served on the Community Education Council, appointed by the Manhattan Borough President and was recently selected as community advocate specifically to provide the perspective and lived experience of Latinx and other underrepresented patient populations for the SWOG Cancer Research Network, which is dedicated to improving the practice of medicine and to enhance the quality of life for cancer survivors. She recently completed her graduate degree in Health Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. This is her second year on SEC.
Jaime McBeth, MS, RDN
Jaime has been absolutely fascinated by all things nutrition ever since she can remember. That you can put something in your mouth and it create something in your body still blows her mind. She credits her interest in food to her grandmother, the greatest cook she has ever known, and to her great-grandmother, who grew up on a farm in her native Barbados. She later realized how impressive her grandmothers’ comprehension of nutrition was while she studied to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. As a result, Jaime marries her passion for evidenced-based nutrition with her respect for culturally significant foods and remedies. She credits her time at Princeton Healthcare for her gentle approach to counseling and education, which helps her clients make necessary change with both compassion and efficacy. Jaime received her M.S. in Nutrition Education from TC, Columbia University and received her clinical training at Yale-New Haven. She currently serves as the Director of Food and Nutrition at the Fortune Society and as a facilitator of an NIH-funded study on healthy eating. This is her fourth year on SEC.
Jaime has been absolutely fascinated by all things nutrition ever since she can remember. That you can put something in your mouth and it create something in your body still blows her mind. She credits her interest in food to her grandmother, the greatest cook she has ever known, and to her great-grandmother, who grew up on a farm in her native Barbados. She later realized how impressive her grandmothers’ comprehension of nutrition was while she studied to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. As a result, Jaime marries her passion for evidenced-based nutrition with her respect for culturally significant foods and remedies. She credits her time at Princeton Healthcare for her gentle approach to counseling and education, which helps her clients make necessary change with both compassion and efficacy. Jaime received her M.S. in Nutrition Education from TC, Columbia University and received her clinical training at Yale-New Haven. She currently serves as the Director of Food and Nutrition at the Fortune Society and as a facilitator of an NIH-funded study on healthy eating. This is her fourth year on SEC.
Jennifer Hildner, MS, RD, CDN
Jennifer is the Director of the Integrated MS-RDN Program and the Dietetic Internship Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. In addition to overseeing these programs, she teaches several courses, such as Community Nutrition Education Practicum, Medical Nutrition Therapy 1, 2, & 3 Practicums, and Food Service Operations and Management. Previously, Jennifer worked for the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care (now part of Memorial Sloan Kettering). The Center’s mission is to provide high quality cancer care and prevention services to underserved populations living in Harlem and the surrounding communities. At the Center Jennifer had the wonderful opportunity to build a nutrition program that includes patient care services and community outreach. Jennifer provided nutrition counseling to patients with cancer, led nutrition workshops and food demonstrations for the community, and helped manage the Center's food pantry program which offers bags of shelf-stable food to patients who are food insecure. In addition, she led Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Food and Nutrition Services’ initiative to connect patients to food resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jennifer received her B.A. in psychology from Stanford University and her M.S. in nutrition education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She completed her dietetic internship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. This is her first year on SEC.
Jennifer is the Director of the Integrated MS-RDN Program and the Dietetic Internship Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. In addition to overseeing these programs, she teaches several courses, such as Community Nutrition Education Practicum, Medical Nutrition Therapy 1, 2, & 3 Practicums, and Food Service Operations and Management. Previously, Jennifer worked for the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care (now part of Memorial Sloan Kettering). The Center’s mission is to provide high quality cancer care and prevention services to underserved populations living in Harlem and the surrounding communities. At the Center Jennifer had the wonderful opportunity to build a nutrition program that includes patient care services and community outreach. Jennifer provided nutrition counseling to patients with cancer, led nutrition workshops and food demonstrations for the community, and helped manage the Center's food pantry program which offers bags of shelf-stable food to patients who are food insecure. In addition, she led Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Food and Nutrition Services’ initiative to connect patients to food resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jennifer received her B.A. in psychology from Stanford University and her M.S. in nutrition education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She completed her dietetic internship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. This is her first year on SEC.
Natasha Ashley, MS, RD, CDN
Natasha Ashley is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Nutritionist who currently works as a Nutrition and Health Program Coordinator for Cornell University Cooperative Extension - NYC. She is also the owner of Natasha Ashley Nutrition, a nutrition consulting business which focuses on black women overcoming the struggles and complexities of nutrition so they can reach and maintain their goals. She has participated in nutrition and health speaking engagements for Macy’s, The Chamber of Commerce, The Urban League, Black Girl Magic and other prominent businesses. She holds her Master of Science degree from New York University and her Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University. Natasha believes that health and wellness can be directly correlated to nutrition and that a nutritious diet can lead to a healthy life. This is her second year on SEC.
Natasha Ashley is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Nutritionist who currently works as a Nutrition and Health Program Coordinator for Cornell University Cooperative Extension - NYC. She is also the owner of Natasha Ashley Nutrition, a nutrition consulting business which focuses on black women overcoming the struggles and complexities of nutrition so they can reach and maintain their goals. She has participated in nutrition and health speaking engagements for Macy’s, The Chamber of Commerce, The Urban League, Black Girl Magic and other prominent businesses. She holds her Master of Science degree from New York University and her Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University. Natasha believes that health and wellness can be directly correlated to nutrition and that a nutritious diet can lead to a healthy life. This is her second year on SEC.
Stephen Ritz
Stephen Ritz is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning educator, author of best-selling book, The Power Of A Plant and Founder of Green Bronx Machine. Known as America's favorite teacher and 2015 Top Ten Finalist for the Global Teacher Prize, Stephen is responsible for creating the first edible classroom in the world. He and his students have grown more than 130,000 pounds of vegetables in the South Bronx, were celebrated at the Obama White House three times, have been featured on the cover of TIME for KIDS, and are the subject of a new, full-feature documentary, Generation Growth. Stephen serves as a Senior Fellow in Social Innovation at Babson College and as a Board Member for the NYC Nutrition Education Network. Stephen is now appearing in the new PBS educational series Let's Learn with Mister Ritz, was named the 2020 Change-Maker Award by NYC Food Policy Center for his response to COVID, named a 2021 Food Hero by TMZ Live, testified for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ending Hunger in America, and was awarded the 2021 Artemis CEA Disruptor Award for his work, advocacy, and impact in public schools across NYC and America.
Stephen Ritz is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning educator, author of best-selling book, The Power Of A Plant and Founder of Green Bronx Machine. Known as America's favorite teacher and 2015 Top Ten Finalist for the Global Teacher Prize, Stephen is responsible for creating the first edible classroom in the world. He and his students have grown more than 130,000 pounds of vegetables in the South Bronx, were celebrated at the Obama White House three times, have been featured on the cover of TIME for KIDS, and are the subject of a new, full-feature documentary, Generation Growth. Stephen serves as a Senior Fellow in Social Innovation at Babson College and as a Board Member for the NYC Nutrition Education Network. Stephen is now appearing in the new PBS educational series Let's Learn with Mister Ritz, was named the 2020 Change-Maker Award by NYC Food Policy Center for his response to COVID, named a 2021 Food Hero by TMZ Live, testified for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ending Hunger in America, and was awarded the 2021 Artemis CEA Disruptor Award for his work, advocacy, and impact in public schools across NYC and America.
Tomi Akanbi, MS, RDN
Tomi is passionate about administering and supporting quality nutrition programming and services in underserved communities. She currently serves as a Public Health Nutritionist with the New York State Department of Health, where she helps ensure that children, adolescents, and older adults receive nutritious meals in congregate settings. Prior to this position, Tomi managed initiatives to support emergency food programs, delivered nutrition counseling and education to adolescents and their families, and provided medical nutrition therapy to older adults. Tomi holds a MS in Nutrition and Public Health from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a BA in Comparative Human Development from the University of Chicago. This is her first year on SEC.
Tomi is passionate about administering and supporting quality nutrition programming and services in underserved communities. She currently serves as a Public Health Nutritionist with the New York State Department of Health, where she helps ensure that children, adolescents, and older adults receive nutritious meals in congregate settings. Prior to this position, Tomi managed initiatives to support emergency food programs, delivered nutrition counseling and education to adolescents and their families, and provided medical nutrition therapy to older adults. Tomi holds a MS in Nutrition and Public Health from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a BA in Comparative Human Development from the University of Chicago. This is her first year on SEC.
Chef Yadira Garcia
Yadira is a trained natural-foods Chef, community activist as well as a certified Integrative Health Coach. She is now leveraging her education and previous experience as a healthy food blogger under Happy Healthy Latina, LLC. She works with several community based organizations such as: Wellness In The Schools as a Chef teaching children daily seasonal cooking classes and how to grow food in a greenhouse setting, Just Food and Children's Aid Society (CAS) and as a food justice community workshop curriculum creator and facilitator. She has been featured on The Dr. Oz Show, The Chew, NY Times, NBC Latino and most recently, Yadira is the host of Healthy Cocina, an original concept by her, which is a cooking show with culturally relevant recipes inspired by her Latino heritage. This is her fifth year on SEC.
Yadira is a trained natural-foods Chef, community activist as well as a certified Integrative Health Coach. She is now leveraging her education and previous experience as a healthy food blogger under Happy Healthy Latina, LLC. She works with several community based organizations such as: Wellness In The Schools as a Chef teaching children daily seasonal cooking classes and how to grow food in a greenhouse setting, Just Food and Children's Aid Society (CAS) and as a food justice community workshop curriculum creator and facilitator. She has been featured on The Dr. Oz Show, The Chew, NY Times, NBC Latino and most recently, Yadira is the host of Healthy Cocina, an original concept by her, which is a cooking show with culturally relevant recipes inspired by her Latino heritage. This is her fifth year on SEC.