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 2020-2021 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 2020-2021 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 third 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 third year on SEC.
Annette Nielsen, MA (Chair-elect)
Annette is a health and wellness specialist, whose career in food, nutrition and culinary programming started nearly 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 leads culinary medicine programming for medical residents, and cooking workshops for senior citizens and families at cooking schools, community centers, urban gardens and farms. An award-winning food writer, Annette’s work has appeared in national and regional publications such as Edible, Adirondack Life, Eating Well, 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 Steering Committee at the Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy. Annette earned her BA in Fine Arts from Colgate University, MA in Writing from Johns Hopkins and expects to complete her certification in Nutrition + Healthy Living from Cornell this year. This is her second year on SEC.
Annette is a health and wellness specialist, whose career in food, nutrition and culinary programming started nearly 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 leads culinary medicine programming for medical residents, and cooking workshops for senior citizens and families at cooking schools, community centers, urban gardens and farms. An award-winning food writer, Annette’s work has appeared in national and regional publications such as Edible, Adirondack Life, Eating Well, 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 Steering Committee at the Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy. Annette earned her BA in Fine Arts from Colgate University, MA in Writing from Johns Hopkins and expects to complete her certification in Nutrition + Healthy Living from Cornell this year. This is her second year on SEC.
Francesca Castro (Administrative Coordinator)
Francesca is currently a Dietetic Intern and Master's candidate in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology at Teachers College, Columbia University. Other experiences include volunteering at the Mount Sinai Physiolab, and a member of the Health Nuts, the Nutrition Program's student organization. Francesca holds a BS in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Central Florida. This is her second year on SEC.
Francesca is currently a Dietetic Intern and Master's candidate in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology at Teachers College, Columbia University. Other experiences include volunteering at the Mount Sinai Physiolab, and a member of the Health Nuts, the Nutrition Program's student organization. Francesca holds a BS in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Central Florida. This is her second year on SEC.
Casey Luber Seiden, MS, RDN, CDN (Past-Chair)
Casey is an outpatient dietitian at two Bronx clinics of The Institute for Family Health. Prior to her work at the Institute, Casey worked extensively with the Stellar Farmers’ Market Program of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and was involved with various projects through the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education and Policy. Casey holds a MS in Nutrition and Public Health from Teachers College Columbia University and a BS in Nutrition and Food Science from the University of Vermont. This is Casey’s fourth year on SEC.
Casey is an outpatient dietitian at two Bronx clinics of The Institute for Family Health. Prior to her work at the Institute, Casey worked extensively with the Stellar Farmers’ Market Program of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and was involved with various projects through the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education and Policy. Casey holds a MS in Nutrition and Public Health from Teachers College Columbia University and a BS in Nutrition and Food Science from the University of Vermont. This is Casey’s fourth 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 fourth 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 fourth 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 third 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 third 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 third 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 third year on SEC.
Nina Dahan, MS, RD
Nina is a nutritionist who has been practicing since 1990. She has been quoted in New York Newsday, First for Women, Shape Magazine and Hamodia. She has appeared on national and local television, including Fox's Good Day New York and CNBC Steals and Deals. She regularly lectures for numerous community groups, schools, and senior centers. Nina has been with Maimonides Community Nutrition Center since its inception, in 1995. She provides medical nutrition therapy for weight reduction, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, bariatric surgery etc. In her private practice, Nina empowers her clients by integrating nutrition education, supermarket tours, kitchen and recipe makeovers. She has has a growing social media following which she uses to educate, motivate and inspire a wider audience to lead healthier lives. This is her second year of SEC
Nina is a nutritionist who has been practicing since 1990. She has been quoted in New York Newsday, First for Women, Shape Magazine and Hamodia. She has appeared on national and local television, including Fox's Good Day New York and CNBC Steals and Deals. She regularly lectures for numerous community groups, schools, and senior centers. Nina has been with Maimonides Community Nutrition Center since its inception, in 1995. She provides medical nutrition therapy for weight reduction, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, bariatric surgery etc. In her private practice, Nina empowers her clients by integrating nutrition education, supermarket tours, kitchen and recipe makeovers. She has has a growing social media following which she uses to educate, motivate and inspire a wider audience to lead healthier lives. This is her second year of SEC
Fadhylla Saballos MPH, RD, CDN, IBCLC
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 first 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 first 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 first 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 first 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 first 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 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 first 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 first year on SEC.