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Our Leadership Team

Senior Vice President, Group Lead

Andrea Carrothers

MS, RD

Senior Vice President, Group Lead

Andrea’s experience spans stakeholder outreach programs, advising on food and nutrition policy issues, translating science into consumer messaging and educational materials, and providing regulatory counsel in evaluating product health claims. She also has extensive expertise in developing speaker’s bureaus and advisory boards and creating and promoting scientific symposia and conference events. The foods most often on Andrea’s mind are caprese salad, sushi, and a crisp glass of rosé.

Executive Vice President

Erin DeSimone

MS, RD, LDN, FAND

Executive Vice President

Erin has vast experience in developing, implementing, and managing health and nutrition-related marketing programs for health professional, thought leader, B2B and consumer audiences. She also has a deep understanding of science education and application, as well as creating nutrition education materials, educational symposia, presentations, workshops, and expert advisory panels. The foods most often on Erin’s mind are a medium petite filet, Italian roasted potatoes, warm crusty bread, and a full-bodied cabernet.

Senior Vice President, Group Lead

Allison Mikita

Senior Vice President, Group Lead

Allison has experience in developing, implementing, and managing health and nutrition-related communications and marketing programs for international health professionals, thought leaders, and food and beverage industry audiences. She has a science background and a passion for writing, enabling her to “translate the science” through engaging communications for a variety of audiences. The foods most often on Allison’s mind are wine, freshly baked bread and good cheese.

Our Experts

Senior Director

Moira Allison

MBA, RD

Senior Director

Moira is passionate about building and maintaining thought-leadership programs, creative content development and staying up to date on the latest nutrition news and guidance. She has experience in event planning, stakeholder relationship management, executive-level presentation development, social media development, implementation translating scientific research. The foods most often on Moira’s mind are quiche, coffee, fresh pasta, and tangerine La Croix sparkling water.

Director

Carmen Berry

MPH, RD, LD

Director

Carmen is a registered dietitian and account supervisor. She is responsible for leading strategic food and nutrition communications and marketing initiatives for the food and beverage industry. Carmen believes that effective, strategic marketing and consumer messaging can benefit both industry and consumer health and is passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of all communities. Her background and expertise includes innovative program and organizational policy development, public health advocacy, translation of nutrition science into consumer messaging and educational materials, and health equity. She received her bachelor’s degree in medical dietetics from the University of Missouri at Columbia and her master’s degree in public health from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Senior Account Executive

Danielle Butbul

MPH, RDN

Senior Account Executive

Danielle is a registered dietitian who holds a master’s degree in public health. She is passionate about helping businesses and professionals understand the connections between nutrition, agriculture, policy, business, culture and sustainability.

Senior Account Executive

Hannah Elliott-Higgins

MS, RD

Senior Account Executive

Hannah is a senior account executive and registered dietitian at FoodMinds, a division of Padilla. With her background in research and content development and her knowledge of food and nutrition science, policy, and communications, Hannah provides evidence-based support and strategic counsel for a wide range of clients. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the College of William and Mary and her master’s degree in nutrition interventions, communication, and behavior change from Tufts University, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.

Senior Account Executive

Avni Gupta

MPH, RD

Senior Account Executive

Avni is a senior account executive and registered dietitian at FoodMinds where she translates complex food and nutrition policy and science into easily digestible content and recommended actions to support public health and sustainability goals. She is passionate about dispelling nutrition misinformation and providing evidence-based and accurate health information to a variety of audiences. Her background as a strategic nutrition counselor for brand work with CPGs includes event planning, content development, nutrition and health influencer partnerships, traditional and social media campaigns, and science translation. The foods most often on Avni’s mind are pesto pasta, sourdough bread, and chocolate chip cookies.

Vice President

Lauren Hoffman

MBA, RD

Vice President

Lauren helps her clients translate the latest research into meaningful campaigns for health professional, thought leader and consumer groups. Her expertise includes building influencer engagement programs, event management, nutrition content development, and research communication and strategic outreach. The foods most often on Lauren’s mind are tacos, champagne, and brussels sprouts.

Senior Account Executive

Tracee Hume

MS, RDN

Senior Account Executive

As a registered dietitian, Tracee uses both the left and right sides of her brain to translate complex food and nutrition science, policy, and market insights into compelling content for her clients. The foods most often on Tracee’s mind are fresh pasta, tomatoes from her home garden, and chocolate.

Account Executive

Kimberly Joyce

Account Executive

Kim applies her background in media and communications, as well as her knowledge of nutrition science and food policy to provide support to a variety of clients. Her experience spans traditional media and public relations, and she is passionate about making nutrition science accessible to a wide audience. Kim holds a bachelor’s in journalism from Ithaca College and a Master of Science in nutrition communication from Tufts University. The foods most often on Kim’s mind are dark chocolate peanut butter cups, cheese, and sourdough bread.”

Director

Maura Killian

Director

Maura stays attuned to the latest developments in nutrition and food policy. She applies her industry knowledge and expertise in communications, nutrition science and public affairs to support several clients. The foods most often on Maura’s mind are hot tea and fresh scones.

Director

Jenn LaVardera

MS, RD, CDN

Director

Jenn LaVardera is a registered dietitian and strategic nutrition communicator with expertise in translating complex nutrition science and policy for both consumer and professional audiences. Jenn proudly holds degrees in nutrition from Pepperdine and Tufts. The foods most often on Jenn’s mind are pasta, broccoli rabe and carrot cake.

Vice President

Maya Maroto

EdD, MPH, RDN

Vice President

Maya has extensive experience in managing strategic partnerships with health professionals and thought leaders, as well as crafting proactive communication and issues management strategies for her clients. She is dedicated to making evidence-based nutrition science accessible and actionable for various stakeholders. Maya holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Morgan State University, a master’s degree in public health nutrition from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and food science from Auburn University. Additionally, she is a Registered Dietitian (RD).

Account Supervisor

Nancy Morgan

MS, RD

Account Supervisor

Nancy is an account executive and registered dietitian at FoodMinds, a division of Padilla. In her current role, Nancy applies her knowledge of the latest developments in nutrition science, food policy and market research insights to develop compelling content and results-driven program strategy for her clients.

Director

Katie Pawelczyk

MS, RD

Director

Katie’s experience spans social media and consumer education content development, stakeholder outreach programs and translation of science to consumer messaging and educational materials. She helps to support the integration and execution of multifaceted strategic communications programs for a variety of clients. Although nearly impossible to choose, the foods most often on Katie’s mind are burrata, bold red wine and pickled vegetables.

Senior Vice President, Strategic Insights

Grant Prentice

Senior Vice President, Strategic Insights

Grant specializes in strategic marketing and market research and has extensive experience in building marketing and issues management programs that utilize nutrition and agricultural science-based intellectual property. He works with clients to develop strategies for the commercialization of intellectual property and conduct a range of marketing research projects. Grant is very passionate about all forms and types of food, so rarely is eating not on his mind.

Senior Account Executive

Kimberly Siu

MPH

Senior Account Executive

Kimberly is an account executive at FoodMinds, a division of Padilla, where she brings her experience in food policy, strategic planning, and nutrition research to the Food & Nutrition Affairs team. Her work is centered on translating nutrition science into actionable recommendations to drive growth and sustainability in our food systems. The foods most often on Kimberly’s mind are dumplings and noodle soups.

Senior Account Executive

Dana Sullivan

MS, RDN, LDN

Senior Account Executive

Dana is an account executive and registered dietitian at the Chicago office of FoodMinds, a division of Padilla. FoodMinds provides consulting and communications services specializing in harnessing science, public affairs, food values and communications to meet business and public health objectives.

Administrative and Operations Specialist

Alice Vaught

Administrative and Operations Specialist

Alice can be found taking care of every detail needed to ensure the office is running smoothly, from getting staff the office equipment they need to making sure guests have an enjoyable visit. When she’s not managing the office, Alice jumps in to assist the account teams on special projects including social media management and event coordination. The foods most often on Alice’s mind are chocolate, chocolate, and chocolate.

Account & Project Coordinator

Sherry Watkins

Account & Project Coordinator

Sherry is an expert at managing advisory panel meetings, summits, receptions, and numerous client events for FoodMinds. From behind-the-scenes meeting planning to helping clients build and staff exhibit booths, Sherry can be found executing every detail. Her passion and attention to detail for her work is reflected in the client’s successful events. The foods most often on Sherry’s mind are beef tenderloin with Gorgonzola sauce, accompanied by roasted brussels sprouts and a baked potato.

Account Executive

Jen Weeks

MPH

Account Executive

Jen Weeks is an account executive at FoodMinds, a division of Padilla, where she leverages her expertise in nutrition science translation, food policy, and sustainable food systems to support clients. Jen holds a bachelor’s degree in Movement Science from the University of Michigan and a Master of Public Health in Nutrition from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The foods that most occupy her mind are dark chocolate, matcha, and sushi.

Our People

It starts with a passion for purpose.

Our Leadership Team

Andrea Carrothers

Erin DeSimone

Allison Mikita

Our Experts

Moira Allison

Carmen Berry

Danielle Butbul

Hannah Elliott-Higgins

Avni Gupta

Lauren Hoffman

Tracee Hume

Kimberly Joyce

Maura Killian

Jenn LaVardera

Maya Maroto

Nancy Morgan