Tamara S. Melton, MS, RDN, CPHIMS

Co-Founder and executive director

Tamara’s first love is teaching and she has taught and advised thousands of students. Tamara had the opportunity to found and develop Georgia State University’s first Health Informatics program, where she used unconventional methods to recruit and retain a majority BIPOC student body. It was her experience serving in this role and watching her students flourish and succeed that gave her the idea for Diversify Dietetics. Tamara had a hunch that an organization led by professionals of color, supported by a community passionate about diversifying the healthcare profession, would attract more students of color to the field of nutrition and dietetics. Tamara owns Tamara’s Table, a virtual practice providing functional nutrition counseling for women of color.

Deanna Belleny LEWIS, MPH, RDN

Co-Founder, Director of Programs

Deanna is the co-founder and Director of Programs at Diversify Dietetics. She was inspired to found Diversify Dietetics after several thought-provoking personal experiences as a student and a dietetics professional of color. Deanna's practice background is in public health and healthcare quality improvement. She has worked for close to 10 years planning, implementing and evaluating programs that impact underrepresented groups. Additionally she has trained numerous allied health teams in leadership and both professional skill development with a equity, diversity, inclusion lens. She is passionate about equity and supporting students and professionals of color who wish to thrive in nutrition and dietetics.

Stephanie Mendez, RDN - Communications Lead

Stephanie is a dynamic and passionate second-career registered dietitian. With a diverse background that includes six years in the music industry, her life took a turn when she encountered a decade of personal struggles with GI issues. Fueled by this experience, she was inspired to change careers and become a registered dietitian. 

Stephanie’s aspirations are two-fold; she currently works as a Clinical Dietitian at Cedars-Sinai where she aims to specialize in gut health in order to help underserved communities struggling with GI issues. Alongside her clinical role, she also serves as the Communications Lead for DD where she works to support dietetic students and professionals of color in order to promote equity in the field of dietetics. 

Stephanie currently lives in Los Angeles. In her free time, she loves making homemade Mexican food, working on her travel blog, and adventuring the city with her beagle Oliver.

Mia Ramdon MCN,RDN, LD- Virtual AssisTant

Mia is a Registered Dietitian based in the Dallas, Texas area. Her passion lies in helping others improve their relationship with food. She pursued a Master of Clinical Nutrition - Coordinated Program at UTSW, which served as the foundation for her career in nutrition. Her professional journey began as a clinical dietitian, and she was also working towards establishing herself in the private practice sector.

Mia's deep love for food, culture, and nutrition developed early in her life, thanks in part to her grandparents. Their health journeys inspired her to pursue a career as a Registered Dietitian. In 2022, Mia took on the role of virtual assistant at Diversify Dietetics, an organization dedicated to promoting diversity and equity in the nutrition field. This opportunity allowed her to contribute to a mission close to her heart, striving to make the nutrition field more inclusive and equitable.

Outside of her career, Mia enjoys a tranquil life outside the bustling city. Gardening is one of her hobbies, and she shares this passion with her family. It's a way for her to connect with nature and maintain a healthy lifestyle, aligning with her dedication to promoting good nutrition and well-being in both her personal and professional life.

jessica jones, Ms, RDN, CDE

Jessica is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator with a passion for helping people transform the way they eat and make peace with food. She is the co-author the 28-Day Plant-Powered Health Reboot and A Diabetes Guide to Enjoying the Flavors of the World. As the co-founder of the healthy living website, Food Heaven Made Easy, Jessica provides evidenced-based nutrition tips and tricks for living a nutritious life. When she is not counseling patients on nutrition therapy for wellness and chronic disease management at the University of California San Francisco, Jessica co-hosts the Food Heaven Podcast, which was named New & Noteworthy by iTunes in 2016. You can follow Jessica on Instagram , Facebook, and Twitter.

shanon morris, MS, RD, CDN

Shanon is a Registered Dietitian who has been working with communities from children to senior citizens for over a decade with the goal of making nutrition relatable, accessible, and enjoyable for all. Shanon is a Howard University and Columbia University Alumni where she studied both Nutrition and Exercise Science, giving her the tools to influence behavioral change throughout all of New York City. Shanon currently serves as the Executive Director for Edible Schoolyard NYC.

Hannah Thornton, MS, RD, LD

Hannah is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of the Dietetic Internship at Texas State University. She worked for years as a biologist and a Yoga teacher and finally found dietetics to be the happy intersection between plants and people. In her teaching, she focuses on creating inclusive educational spaces for dietetics students of all levels. In her research, she focuses on reducing food insecurity among college students. Hannah maintains a private practice aimed at supporting pregnant people and new parents in a positive, holistic environment. When she isn’t working, she can usually be found attempting to identify and reduce her unconscious biases and chasing her two children around the backyard.