Leadership | suncoast

Leadership is not a position or a title, it is action and example.

-Cory Booker

Meet the Leadership for the 2023-2024 Year

Board of Directors - Executive Leaders

President : Meggie Connelly, MS, RDN, LDN

Meggie Connelly MS, RDN, LDN is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who helps individuals with PCOS and chronic dieters go from confused, frustrated and exhausted to confident, glowing and balanced.

She holds a Master’s of Science and Bachelor’s of Science degrees in Dietetics from D’Youville College in Buffalo, NY. Her research focused on identifying the perceived risk for developing type 2 diabetes in women with PCOS.

Her first love has always been food, so before becoming a dietitian, she received a Bachelor’s of Science in Hospitality Management from UCF. She has been a Registered Dietitian for 8 years and has worked in the food industry for 20 years.

Her experience as a dietitian has ranged from clinical nutrition, outpatient clinics, bariatric weight loss centers, dialysis, food service management and LTC. She finds nutrition coaching to be the most rewarding job as she helps individuals fall in love with food again

President Elect: Rene' Korpolonski, MBA, RDN, LDN

Rene' is a National Accounts Manager, Managed Care for MJN/Reckitt. Rene' began her nutrition support career at Hines VA hospital in Illinois, after obtaining her nutrition degree from Michigan State University. She has spent over 20 years in the home infusion setting in a variety of roles and now works programmatically to leverage patient's need for medical food coverage.

Rene' serves as an active member of the ASPEN Public Policy Committee and AAHomecare.

Rene's career passion is to create sustainable access to quality nutrition for all.

Treasurer: Marie E. Graf Ibrahim, RDN, LDN

Marie's boutique nutrition company Marie E Graf Wellness serves the Greater Tampa Bay Area by offering in-home visits, in-office visits in Palm Harbor, and telehealth.

After fourteen years inpatient clinical experience as an RDN primarily ICUs complex patients are her speciality.

Marie takes the time to work with the individuals and families to collaborate to find optimal nutrition regimens that suitable for their unique needs. Marie thinks creatively to meet the challenges like shortages that people are facing, finding solutions that are workable and superior. Marie values options and space, and does not expect compliance.

Secretary: Aria Hetzendorfer

Aria is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian. She was born in raised in St. Pete, FL and is currently working at the hospital she was born in, Bayfront Health. Aria received her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from Keiser University.

Aria is the youngest of five, with four older brothers. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and nine nieces and nephews (all of which live in the area).

VP Membership: Sarah Wollard, RD, LDN

Sarah is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in Sarasota with ample experience in community health. She graduated from University of North Florida with a Bachelors of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics.

Her career started with the Florida Department of Health which led to completing her dietetic internship with the WIC program in Pasco County, where she subsequently worked making a difference in the community.

Growing up in Florida, she naturally enjoys being outdoors
where she likes to go to the beach, hike, and travel with her family.

VP Communications: Michelle Smith, MS, RDN, LDN

Michelle grew up in Clearwater and attended the University of Florida for both undergrad and grad school.

After her internship she stayed with Florida Hospital (now AdventHealth) in Orlando for 3 years as a clinical dietitian as well as worked part-time with Meals On Wheels, Sanford creating menus and education for their clients.

When the opportunity came up to move closer to home, she took on the new challenge of long term care in Saint Petersburg.

She later became the Traveling Registered Dietitian, assisting facilities all the way from Jacksonville to West Palm Beach and has been with the company for over 7 years.

She is also a member of the Pinellas County Gator Club (Go Gators!) and enjoys spending time trying new foods, whether creating them at home or out on her travels.

VP Programs: Open Position

VP Nominations: Batina Timmons, MS, RDN

Batina is a nutrition therapist inspiring thousands of people to eat and live well. Gaining experience in the corporate world of Morrison’s, Sodexo, DaVita and for the past 5 years with U.S. Renal Care, Batina continues her private consulting practice, Tampa Nutrition Therapy, opening in 2008. June 2021, the website was relaunched and she has been specializing in chronic kidney disease as a renal dietitian.

Batina received her Masters of Nutrition Degree from The University of Alabama and her Bachelors from Indiana University. Her interest in nutrition grew out of learning food can heal the body while learning to cook in Sonoma County California.

In 2016, Batina completed her integrative and functional nutrition certification and has been focusing on an integrative approach to chronic kidney disease.

In addition to being featured as a nutrition expert on the local FOX television station, Batina is a captivating speaker, menu writer, recipe developer, healthy cooking expert and weight loss coach.

Batina is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) and the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and served as past Chair of District Presidents (2016-2018) for the Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (FAND).

VP Legislation & Advocacy: Amanda Clark, MS, RD

Amanda Clark MS, RD is a Registered Dietitian who is passionate about Maternal and Child Nutrition. She's currently focused on helping women with hormone balance and fertility so they can prevent fertility treatments such as IVF or improve the success rates of IVF.

She holds a Masters of Science in Nutrition from Appalachian State University where she conducted research on the correlation between exclusive breastfeeding and social support.

Amanda has always believed the most impact on the health of our community starts with legislation- from dietary guidelines impacting school nutrition requirements, to soda taxes and farmers subsidies influencing food costs. She is thrilled for the opportunity to serve our community in this role.

When she's not working or volunteering, you can find Amanda playing with her toddler or having an 80s music dance party while whipping something up in the kitchen.

Open Positions:

District Liaisons (Tampa, Pinellas)

1 year term
Help VP of Programs determine a location, sponsors, and speakers for the quarterly symposium held in their geographic area
Help determine a local need/location to hold a community outreach in their geographic area.
Help with identifying locations for local socials to be held.