2026 SNEB Leadership Slate
The SNEB Nominating Committee is responsible for identifying and recommending qualified candidates for open officer and Board positions. As part of this process, the Committee issued a Call for Nominations to the membership and carefully reviewed all nominees against the Society’s published leadership qualifications and competencies.
Following this review, the Committee prepared a unified slate with one nominee for each open position. In developing the slate, the Committee considered the Society’s strategic priorities and sought to reflect the breadth of expertise, perspectives, and experience within the SNEB community. The slate has been reviewed by the Board and is now presented to the membership for approval by electronic ballot.
Members are invited to vote to approve or reject the slate by May 19, 2026.
Vice President
Director at Large
Nominating Committee
ACPP Chair-Elect
Membership Committee Chair-Elect
Vice President
Jennifer Garner, PhD, RD
What skills or experiences do you bring that would benefit the leadership team?
I have substantial experience leading large, diverse teams in coalition building and member-driven organizational action, including roles as Chair of the Academy’s Council on Research and Research Priorities and Strategies Taskforce; Co-Chair of NOPREN’s Rural Food Access Working Group; and Chair of SNEB’s Advisory Committee on Public Policy (2025-2026).
What do you see as the biggest opportunity for SNEB in the coming year?
SNEB leadership must focus on two priorities: (1) enhancing the Society’s financial well-being toward long-term organizational resilience, and (2) leveraging our organizational strengths, including a global membership that boasts rigorous researchers and impactful practitioners, to elevate the Society’s voice on – and role in – nutrition policy, systems, environment, and education initiatives.
Director at Large
Gemma Bastian, Ph.D., RDN, LN
What skills or experiences do you bring that would benefit the leadership team?
I have had multiple leadership roles in SNEB (Student and FNEE Division chairs, 2023 Conference co-chair). I also have experience on nonprofit boards (Transformation Project Advocacy Network) and with organizing groups of diverse stakeholders (South Dakota Healthy Nutrition Collaborative, South Dakota Food Is Medicine Network).
What do you see as the biggest opportunity for SNEB in the coming year?
We are in a rapidly changing world and that is reflected greatly in SNEB: financial strains, cancelled grants (SNAP-Ed) affecting member participation, a controversial dietary guidelines. I would like to focus on building membership by showing SNEB’s value as an organization that educates, advocates, and empowers nutrition educators.
Director at Large
Padideh Lovan, PhD, RD, LDN
What skills or experiences do you bring that would benefit the leadership team?
As a current Board member and Membership Committee Chair, I bring governance experience, strategic planning skills, and a strong member focus. I led SNEB’s first mentorship program and collaborative research labs at my institution, mentoring emerging professionals and advancing evidence based, inclusive, member driven leadership aligned with SNEB’s mission.
What do you see as the biggest opportunity for SNEB in the coming year?
SNEB’s biggest opportunity is to cultivate mission driven external partnerships that expand resources, reach, and influence while preserving our integrity. My priority would be collaborations that advance equity and nutrition education, ensuring SNEB remains a member centered, evidence based, and values driven professional home.
Nominating Committee
Rebecca Hagedorn-Hatfield, PhD, RDN
What skills or experiences do you bring that would benefit the leadership team?
My professional experience spans academia and public health evaluation consulting, providing broad perspective and strong professional networks. My skills in systems thinking, partnership building, and strategic planning can support leadership in attracting new voices, integrating varied perspectives, and positioning SNEB to advance amid post SNAP Ed change and ongoing public health challenges.
What do you see as the biggest opportunity for SNEB in the coming year?
There is a need for SNEB to establish financial sustainability while also understanding current member needs for support. This requires diversifying revenue through expanded partnership and sponsorship while maintaining the integrity members value in SNEB, establishing collaborations with other professional societies, and enhancing member benefits to maintain and grow membership.
Nominating Committee
Jennifer McCaffrey, PhD, MPH, RD
What skills or experiences do you bring that would benefit the leadership team?
I bring 25 years of experience in nutrition education and membership in SNEB. I am a past-president of the society and have held other leadership roles in regional and national organizations.
What do you see as the biggest opportunity for SNEB in the coming year?
With the changes in the federal landscape, there is no greater time for nutrition educators to provide grassroots leadership in science, research, and practice. There is also tremendous opportunity to be a voice for future food and nutrition policy.
ACPP Chair-Elect
Bree Bode, PhD, MPH, CHES
What skills or experiences do you bring that would benefit the leadership team?
My experience conducting research and evaluation in community-based settings, combined with statewide nutrition education evaluation and personal experience qualifying for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, would bring both professional expertise and lived perspective to the leadership team.
What do you see as the biggest opportunity for SNEB in the coming year?
I think SNEB is well positioned to influence the future of policies, funding, and practices that shape what nutrition education is becoming. The members of SNEB have an opportunity to translate years of implementation science experience into effective, sustainable programs that meet evolving population health needs.
Membership Committee Chair-Elect
Shanté Jeune, PhD, LDN, RDN
What skills or experiences do you bring that would benefit the leadership team?
I am a highly motivated, collaborative leader committed to sharing ideas and working alongside others to advance shared goals. I value inclusive dialogue and strategic engagement and am eager to support the Membership Committee in developing initiatives that strengthen connection, participation, and growth across SNEB.
What do you see as the biggest opportunity for SNEB in the coming year?
The biggest opportunity for SNEB is to strengthen membership engagement by connecting research, practice, and policy through interdisciplinary collaboration. Expanding mentorship, communication, and inclusive pathways can enhance SNEB’s impact on nutrition education and behavior.