Illinois Academy Leadership


The Illinois Academy's executive committee functions as an extension of the board of directors. They are the board's eyes and ears when the board can't gather in full. These members act when the entire board can't. They make decisions in between meetings and resolve any urgent issues facing the organization. Though the executive committee meets frequently and independently, they’re still ultimately accountable to the board.

Click Here for the Full Leadership Directory - (members only access)

Click here for a complete list of past presidents

 

President

Tina Lam, MS, RD, LDN, CDCES

[email protected]

 Tina Lam is currently an Instructor and Assistant Director of the Dietetics Coordinated Program at University of IL, Chicago. She enjoys working with all of the UIC students and preceptors at the various sites that the students go for supervised practice. She's also the past IAND Diversity Liaison and one of the past-presidents of the Chicago AND. In her free time, she likes to be outside whether it's in her garden, playing tennis, biking, or walking her dog. She's also a foodie and loves to try new recipes and all the amazing restaurants Chicago-land has to offer.

President Elect

Chair of Communications

Charlyn Fargo Ware, MS, RDN, LDN

[email protected]

 Charlyn Fargo Ware is a registered dietitian in the Culinary Medicine Department and General Internal Medicine Department at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. She received her master’s degree in Nutrition from Eastern Illinois University and two bachelor’s degrees (food and communication) from the University of Illinois-Champaign. She enjoys teaching nutrition at the University of Illinois-Springfield and Lincoln Land Community College as well as in the community. She is president of the FBI Springfield Citizens Academy, on the board for the U of I College of ACES (Urbana-Champaign) representing Region 5, secretary-treasurer for the Illinois Association of County Fairs which represents 103 county fairs in the state and CPI board member of the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  She grew up on a farm in central Illinois. She and her husband, Brad, have two children and an 1-year-old grandson.

Immediate Past President

Chair of Operations

Sara Umphfleet, MPP-D, RD, LDN

[email protected] 

Sara Umphfleet is a supervisor of nutrition services and the clinical dietitian with OSF Healthcare in Kewanee, IL. Being in a rural area she enjoys the variety her position provides including clinical, community and a bit of foodservice. She speaks on the radio monthly about nutrition topics and started the local diabetes support group. She is the past Council on Professional Issues (CPI) chair and was awarded Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year (RYDY) award 2018-2019. In her free time, she likes to catch up on sleep, take a walk, eat chocolate donuts, and go shopping at HomeGoods. 

Secretary

Chair of Membership

Amy Loria, RD, LDN 

[email protected]

Amy Loria has spent the majority of her time as a RDN in the acute care clinical setting. She recently has decided to pursue a Masters in Health Leadership. In her spare time, you will find her exercising at Orange Theory Fitness, hanging with her family, or reading a book for pleasure.

Treasurer

Chair of Finance

Jennifer Zuercher, PhD, RD, LD

[email protected]

Jennifer Zuercher is an Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Health at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) and Director of the Graduate Nutrition and Dietetics Coordinated Program. She was previously the Membership Chair and President of the Bay Area Dietetic Association (CA) and Membership Chair and Legislative Chair of the Durham Chapel Hill Dietetic Association (NC). She  enjoys helping people make positive lifestyle changes and loves having the opportunity to train the next generation of nutrition and dietetics professionals. She always encourages students to get involved! Her newest addiction is trail running. 

CPI Chair

Chair of Professional Development

Val Chudzinski, MA, RD, LDN, CNSC

[email protected]

Val Chudzinski has been a Registered Dietitian for 15 years. Her current role for the past 8 years is Clinical Nutrition Manager for Northwestern Health System Northwest Region (Legacy Centegra) including McHenry, Huntley, and Woodstock Hospitals. In her current role she is most passionate about learning about her individual team members dream job and helping facilitate the opportunities to make those positions available to them. In addition to her AND and IAND memberships she is also an active member of ASPEN and the Clinical Nutrition Manager, Informatics, and Dietitians in Nutrition Support DPG. She lives in Northern IL with her husband Eric and 2 daughters Sofia and Emma. In her free time she enjoys going to her kids basketball and soccer games, relaxing at home, and going on hikes with her family and their two dogs Patchey and Izzy.

Chair of Delegates (North) 

Chair of Legislation

Christine Cliff, MPH, RDN, LDN, CLT, FAND

[email protected]

Having held various leadership roles with Illinois Academy over the past 10 years, Christine brings a wealth of experience and knowledge. She works in school nutrition at District U-46. She received her master's degree from Benedictine University and her bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University. Her favorite part about being a dietitian is being able to offer someone a nugget of knowledge about food/nutrition that they may not have known and even showing them how to create a dish that is stealthfully healthful, but tastes super yummy. In her free time she enjoys yoga, core/strength training, walking/cardio, reading for leisure, baking/cooking, and spending time with her family.

Executive Director 

Terry McBride

[email protected]

Terry has been honored to proudly serve as Executive Director of the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Inc. since 1999. She has worked with many local, regional and national organizations throughout her career. After serving as Executive Director for another statewide organization for nearly a decade, Terry established her own association management company, TDM Management Services, in 1998. In her free time Terry enjoys cooking, hiking and spending time with her family.