Academy President's Message — July 2026

Hello Academy Members!

With registration now open, excitement is building for this year's Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo^® (FNCE^®) in San Antonio from October 24-27. Whether you're attending for the first time or a seasoned attendee, FNCE® offers an experience that inspires growth, sparks new ideas and strengthens the impact of nutrition and dietetics.

This year's theme, "Powerful Connections. Infinite Possibilities," highlights the value of bringing nutrition and dietetics professionals together and reflects an important truth about our profession: We are stronger together. The connections made at FNCE^® extend far beyond the conference, leading to new collaborations, mentorship opportunities, innovative research and lifelong professional friendships.

There are countless opportunities for your professional development at FNCE^®. Take advantage of the FNCE^® Attendee Networking Social at the DPG/MIG Showcase, where you can connect with Academy DPGs and MIGs and learn about specific areas of practice while expanding your professional network with peers who share your professional interests. The Center for Career Opportunities is another valuable resource for any career stage, offering networking opportunities with potential employers, resume support, and guidance to help you achieve your professional goals.

FNCE^® also plays an essential role in supporting the next generation of nutrition and dietetics professionals. I encourage Academy members to welcome students, share their experiences, and offer guidance as they begin their professional journeys. If you're attending FNCE^® for the first time, make sure to add the First-Time Attendee Reception to your FNCE^® agenda! Taking place right before the Opening Session, this event is an excellent opportunity to meet Academy leaders and build relationships that will last throughout your career.

Some of the most anticipated events at FNCE^® are the keynote sessions, where influential leaders share their stories and insights to inspire innovation and collaboration. This year's keynote speakers, Jessica Knurick, PhD, RDN, food futurist Mike Lee and Olympic medalist Aly Raisman, will share their perspectives on the future of food and nutrition, as well as emerging opportunities ahead.

Following the Opening Session, I invite you to join me at the FNCE^® Welcome Party. Inspired by the spirit of San Antonio, it is a great opportunity to continue building the connections that make FNCE^® so special.

An exciting new addition to this year's FNCE^® is the Future of Food and Nutrition AI Challenge. In partnership with MATTER, a global healthcare startup incubator, the Academy is inviting innovators across the nutrition and healthcare ecosystem to submit AI driven solutions that have the potential to transform the future of nutrition and dietetics. Finalists will pitch their ideas at FNCE^®, demonstrating how creativity and bold thinking can redefine our profession.

I also want to highlight a recent op-ed I authored in RealClearPolitics on investing in the nutrition workforce. As nutrition's role in preventing and managing disease grows, demand for qualified professionals is rising. Meeting that demand requires strengthening the workforce, supporting education and training pathways, expanding access to services and ensuring our profession is fully recognized for its impact on health outcomes.

This is exactly why FNCE^® matters. It’s where the profession comes together to share ideas, exchange expertise and work toward solutions to the most pressing challenges in nutrition and dietetics. When we collaborate in this way, we strengthen our profession and better prepare to meet the needs of the communities we serve.

I look forward to seeing you in San Antonio as we learn, connect and celebrate the incredible work happening across our community.