Staying Ethical in a Polarized World - Advocacy, Science, and Communication

Description

Learning Objectives

• Apply ethical reasoning frameworks to navigate policy and advocacy dilemmas while maintaining professional integrity and public trust.
• Evaluate the credibility and ethical integrity of research evidence before translation to policy, practice, and public communication.
• Integrate effective and ethical communication strategies to address misinformation and foster constructive dialogue in challenging situations.

Performance Indicators

• 1.3.3 Uses ethical reasoning and decision-making processes to address ethical dilemmas.
• 3.2.2 Delivers information in a respectful and professional manner.
• 4.2.1 Advocates for and influences global, federal, state/territory, and local and/or tribal nutrition and health policy to promote health and well-being of individuals, communities and populations.

Speakers

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  Kelly Horton

  Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Government Relations, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

  Kelly Horton, MS, RDN, is the Senior Vice President for Public Policy and Government Relations at the Academy. In her role, Kelly oversees the Academy’s public policy agenda and advocacy efforts that promote health and reduce the burden of chronic disease through evidence-based nutrition services and interventions. Kelly has extensive senior leadership experience, including serving as Interim President and Chief Program Officer at The Food Research & Action Center, as a senior advisor to members of Congress, and in roles with non-profit management and for-profit companies. Kelly is often revered as a change agent with a deep commitment to catalyzing dynamic evidence-based solutions that move the needle on transparency and trust in nutrition science and the food system.

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  Alison Steiber

  Chief Mission, Impact and Strategy Officer, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

  Dr. Steiber is an RDN and the Chief Mission, Impact and Strategy Officer at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Dr. Steiber leads the Research, Practice Excellence, and the Quality, Standards and Interoperability teams. Prior to her current role, she was Chief Science Officer of the Academy for 12 years, which included directing nutrition-related research, systematic reviews, position statements, guideline development, and the Academy’s registry. Prior to joining the Academy, Dr. Steiber was Director of the Coordinated Dietetic Internship at Case Western Reserve University. She is an author on dozens of scientific research papers, represents the Academy at key research and scientific conferences, is a member of the Board of Directors for the National Kidney Foundation and on the Scientific Advisory Panel for the American Council on Exercise. Dr. Steiber completed her Dietetic Internship and received her Master of Science in Dietetics at the University of Kansas Medical Center and her Doctorate in Human Nutrition from Michigan State University. In 2021, Dr. Steiber received the Distinguished Health Professions Alumna award from the University of Kansas Medical Center and in 2024 she received the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Alumni Service Award from Michigan State University.

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  Matthew Matsaganis

  Associate Professor, Rutgers School of Communication & Information, Rutgers University

  Dr. Matthew Matsaganis is an Associate Professor in the School of Communication & Information at Rutgers University and a core faculty member of the Rutgers Global Health Institute. His research examines how communication infrastructures—ranging from local communication networks to digital health tools—shape social equity, health outcomes, and community resilience. He has also published extensively on ethnic media, participatory research, and communication strategies that advance belonging and resilience in underserved communities. Matthew has led multiple interdisciplinary projects in the U.S. and Greece. His recent work focuses on the competencies needed to build global health communication capacity, including stakeholder engagement, strategic messaging, and culturally grounded training. He is the author or editor of several books and journal articles, and he regularly collaborates with health professionals, educators, and policymakers to translate research into practice.

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Moderator

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  Lona Sandon

  Program Director, Associate Professor, UT Southwestern Medical Center

  Dr. Sandon is an Associate Professor and Program Director for the Master of Clinical Nutrition Coordinated Program in the School of Health Professions at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Sandon has a passion for teaching and mentoring the next generation of registered dietitian nutritionists. Dr. Sandon served as an Academy Spokesperson for nine years, Director of the House of Delegates, West Central Regional Director for Nutrition and Dietetics Educators and Preceptors, and multiple executive committee roles for the Nutrition Educators of Health Professionals practice group. Her research collaborations include controlled feeding studies related to the development of renal stones, obesity, lipase deficiency, mitochondrial function, and hypertension. Dr. Sandon enjoys strength training, yoga, and cycling.

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