Chair
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Maria Virginia Tijerina Walls, MS, NC
Virginia is a Mexican licensed dietitian with over 25 years of experience. She is a Ph.D. candidate on Management and Public Policy at The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), holding MS in Nutrition from The University of Oklahoma and a Specialization in Comprehensive Evaluation of Social Development Programs at the National Institute of Public Health in México. She earned a BS on Nutrition from The Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon (UANL). She is the former Communication Manager of the Mexican Observatory of Noncommunicable Diseases (OMENT) in Mexico. She is founder and director of Nutrien Nutrition & Health, a food and nutrition consulting agency. She has been a professor at several prestigious universities at undergraduate and graduate level in Mexico, including UANL and Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education. She was President of the International Affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (IAAND), Country Representative of Mexico, and Country Representative Chair from the same organization. She was also Nominating Committee-Chair at LAHIDAN (Latinos and Hispanics in Dietetics and Nutrition). In 2015, she was honored with the Outstanding Dietitian of the Year Award from IAAND and the Excellence in Professional Development distinction by The Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon. She is an international speaker and her main research interests are public health nutrition and food nutrition policy as well as childhood obesity prevention.
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Chair-Elect
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Andie Lee Gonzalez, PhD, MPH, RDN, LD, FAND
Andie Lee Gonzalez’s career with H-E-B started 6 years ago as a regional registered dietitian for the Border. She now serves as a medical sales representative for H-E-B Nutrition Services. As a medical sales representative she helps build on H-E-B’s nutrition services offerings, maintains relationships with physicians, health care providers and employers, and serves as a spokesperson for nutrition education and health and wellness for the Border and Gulf coast region.
Andie is a native to South Texas and former La Joya ISD graduate. As a first-generation Latina college student, she received her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, completed her Dietetic internship rotation program and her Master’s in Public Health, with an emphasis in nutrition, from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She then completed her Doctorate in Philosophy in Organizational Leadership Studies from Our Lady of the Lake University in 2018. Through her experiences Andie has developed a strong purpose and passion for community and nutrition. She has found that working toward improving the community's health and wellbeing is an incredibly fulfilling responsibility and goal of hers. Andie's background encompasses a range of diverse experiences; from academia, research, community, working with diverse populations, serving in national public health service, management experience and clinical nutrition services are just a few. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, serves in the executive board for the Latinos and Hispanics in Dietetics and Nutrition group, serves as a delegate for the Texas Academy of Nutrition, a liaison for the Rio Grande Valley Dietitians chapter and a member to La Joya Catholic Daughters of the Americas are a few roles she serves to support her intentional purpose in advocating health and education in our community.
In her spare time, her joy is spending time with her husband Ricardo, daughter Aolani, son Arturo, and extended family. She is a highly motivated Latina who values family, hard work, and serving others.
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Past Chair
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Janine Ricketts-Byrne, MA, RD, LD
Janine Ricketts-Byrne, MA, RDN, LDN has been practicing in dietetics for over 30 years. She worked in Diabetes Education of multidisciplinary healthcare teams addressing the prevalence of diabetes among the Hispanic population. Recruited Hispanic RDN's to serve as Spokesperson to enhance Hispanic representation focused on diabetes specialization. As ACEND staff, she worked at ensuring implementation of high academic standards and competencies to prepare dietetic students to become successful and culturally sensitive registered dietitians. She served on the Ad-Hoc Committee of Hispanic-Serving Programs and Education.
Janine coached clients to help them discover and overcome their personal barriers, and facilitate individuals to develop objectives with measurable outcomes using behavior modification and motivation techniques. She has conducted power employment workshops, facilitated resume writing workshops and disseminated instruction materials, and provided volunteer networking opportunities and accountability support.
Janine encourages RDNs to pursue specialties that elevate our profession and consider the functional medicine aspects culturally rooted in Hispanic traditions and culture. Building a private consulting business for organizations marketing to Hispanics, she creates welcoming environments that enhance understanding, acceptance and multicultural collaboration and leadership.
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Secretary
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Jordan Griffing, MS, RD, CNSC
Jordan Griffing received her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Nutrition Sciences at Baylor University and went on to obtain her Certified Nutrition Support Certification (CNSC) in 2017. She has been a Registered Dietitian for 5 years and is currently working in her dream position as a NICU dietitian at Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi, TX. Being a part of LAHIDAN has been instrumental in her cultural competence, working predominantly with Hispanics in South Texas. Jordan has experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings, community nutrition outreach, undergraduate teaching and precepting interns. When not at work she can be found playing video games with her husband and spending time at home with her dog and guinea pigs. She is very excited and eager to return for her second year as Secretary for LAHIDAN.
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Treasurer
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Diana Licalzi Maldonado, MS, RD
Diana is a Registered Dietitian with a Master’s in Nutrition Science, and is currently working towards becoming a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE). Originally from Puerto Rico, Diana is dedicated to helping the Hispanic community meet their nutrition and health goals. She co-founded Reversing T2D, an online platform that provides nutritional guidance for individuals with pre- and type 2 diabetes. Last year, Diana also became very passionate about empowering women to have healthy pregnancies without alcohol. After noticing a gap in the market, she co-authored the book, Drinking For Two: Nutritious Mocktails for the Mom-to-Be, where she provides women with prenatal nutrition information and over 45 non-alcoholic drink alternatives healthy for both mom and baby. Diana also has experience working as a Dietitian at Boston Medical Center, InsideTracker, and UC San Diego Health.
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