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 2019-2020 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 2019-2020 team!
Casey Luber Seiden, MS, RDN, CDN (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 third 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 third year on SEC.
Dina Lipkind MS, RDN, CDN (Past-Chair)
Dina is the Director of Nutrition Services at YvY Early Childhood Center. She previously worked as a Nutrition Education Specialist for Novartis Nutrition. Dina hold a MS in Clinical Nutrition from New York University and a BS in Nutrition Science from Brooklyn College. This is Dina’s fourth year on SEC.
Dina is the Director of Nutrition Services at YvY Early Childhood Center. She previously worked as a Nutrition Education Specialist for Novartis Nutrition. Dina hold a MS in Clinical Nutrition from New York University and a BS in Nutrition Science from Brooklyn College. This is Dina’s fourth year on SEC.
Francesca Castro (Administrative Coordinator)
Francesca is currently a 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 first year on SEC.
Francesca is currently a 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 first year on SEC.
Juhy Ali, MS, RDN
Juhy is a community dietitian at God’s Love We Deliver, an organization that cooks and home-delivers nutritious meals for people living with severe illness. Juhy holds MS and BS degrees in Nutrition from Lehman College. This is Juhy's second year on SEC.
Juhy is a community dietitian at God’s Love We Deliver, an organization that cooks and home-delivers nutritious meals for people living with severe illness. Juhy holds MS and BS degrees in Nutrition from Lehman College. This is Juhy's second year on SEC.
Amaka Anekwe, MS, RDN
Amaka is a Policy Analyst at the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. Previously, she was a Nutrition Educator at The Food Trust in Philadelphia. Amaka holds a MS in Nutrition and Education from Columbia University and a BA in Biological Basis of Behavior from University of Pennsylvania. This is Amaka’s fourth year on SEC.
Amaka is a Policy Analyst at the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. Previously, she was a Nutrition Educator at The Food Trust in Philadelphia. Amaka holds a MS in Nutrition and Education from Columbia University and a BA in Biological Basis of Behavior from University of Pennsylvania. This is Amaka’s fourth year on SEC.
Tutu Badaru, MS
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 second 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 second year on SEC.
Margaret Dunn-Carver, MS, RDN, CDN
Margaret is the Program Coordinator of Stellar Farmers' Markets Nutrition Education Program at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. She previously served as Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at Harlem United in New York City. Margaret holds MS and BS degrees in Nutrition & Food Sciences from the University of Vermont. This is Margaret’s fourth year on SEC.
Margaret is the Program Coordinator of Stellar Farmers' Markets Nutrition Education Program at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. She previously served as Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at Harlem United in New York City. Margaret holds MS and BS degrees in Nutrition & Food Sciences from the University of Vermont. This is Margaret’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 third 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 third 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 second 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 second 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 second 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 second 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 first 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 first year of SEC
Annette Nielsen, MA
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 the Steering and Envisioning Committee 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.
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 the Steering and Envisioning Committee 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.