“Telling Your Story”

Innovations in Nutrition Grantee Annual Conference Recap

August 4-5, 2022

Des Moines, Iowa

How do you tell your story?

2019, 2020, and 2021 Innovations in Nutrition Programs 

and Services (INNU) grantees gathered for an annual 

conference hosted by the Nutrition and Aging Resource 

Center. The theme of the conference was, “Telling Your 

Story,” and the goal was for grantees to learn how 

to deliver compelling messages about their projects 

through data, evaluation, storytelling, targeting, and 

peer networking. It was a successful two days of learning 

and networking together. Grantees learned how to share 

their work and impact on older adults. From the keynote 

speakers, INNU grantee recognition and presentations, 

to networking and capstone sessions, it was a fun and 

meaningful conference. Grantees were also provided 

with headshots. Quick videos of grantee projects were 

recorded called “lightening talks.” Look for these on the 

Nutrition and Aging website soon. We look forward 

to meeting again in 2023!

Thank you to our keynote speakers:

Telling Your Story

Barbara Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND

Founder and President

Nutrition Communicator, LLC

Project Evaluation

Sarah Al-Mazroa Smith, Ph.D.

Education and Training Coordinator

National Institute of Antimicrobial Resistance 

Research and Education

Targeting Those at Greatest Economic and 

Social Need

Jennifer Margrett, Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Research and Graduate 

Education

Director, Gerontology Program

Professor of Human Development and Family 

Studies, Iowa State University

Learn more about the keynote speakers
“Telling Your Story” creative notetaking board: 

a graphic recording by Nathan T. Wright
Thank you to our Previous 

Grantee panel:

Livleen Gill, MBA, RDN, LDN, FAND

Bethesda NEWtrition and Wellness 

Solutions; Addressing Malnutrition 

in Community Living Adults, A 

toolkit for Area Agencies on Aging

Mary Chase Mize, PhD, LPC, NCC

Georgia State University; Senior 

Nutrition Program Evidence-Based 

Suicide

Ryan Gadzo

Erie County Department of Senior 

Services-New York; Modernizing 

the Congregate Dining Program 

with Restaurant Partnerships

Tim Getty, MBA

Heritage Area Agency on Aging; 

Innovating Congregate Meal Sites 

through the Encore Café

Learn more about the previous 

grantee panel speakers

Thank you to our 2019 Grantee 

Presenters:

Eastern Area Agency on Aging 

Tabatha Caso, LSW

Chief Program Officer

Educational Health Resources 

International (EHRI)

Kemi Sanni, DNP, MSN, APRN, CRNP

WeCare Program Director

Interfaith Ministries for Greater 

Houston

Leslie Kia, Director, Meals on Wheels 

Healthcare Innovation

Martin Cominsky, President and CEO

LifeCare Alliance

Leah Bunck, MSW, LSW

Assistant Director Nutrition Programs

Melinda Rowe, BSN, RN

Director of Wellness & Central Ohio 

Diabetes Association

Public Health Solutions

Ailin Liu, MN

Senior Program Manager, Food 

Initiatives

Laila Khundkar, MPH

Deputy Director— Community Health 

and Nutrition Access

Texas Health and Human Services 

Commission

Linda Netterville, MA, RD, LD

Dietitian Consultant, HHSC, Access 

and Eligibility Services, Community 

Access

Nandita Chaudheuri, Ph.D.

Research Scientist—Public Policy 

Research Institute; Texas A&M 

University

University of Utah

Susan Saffel-Shrier, MS, RDN, CD, Cert. 

Gerontologist Professor | Department 

of Family and Preventative 

Medicine—University of Utah School 

of Medicine

Learn more about the 2019 grantee 

presenters

“Innovation is to imagine the future and fill in the gaps.”

- Brian Halligan

This project was supported in part by grant number 90PPNU0002 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of 

Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to 

express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.