Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD, LD, has been the director of nutrition for WebMD for more than fifteen years.  During her tenure she has helped build a state-of-the-art food, diet and nutrition portal.  Recently, she was named contributing editor to the Academy’s Food & Nutrition Magazine and a member of the board of directors of the True Health Initiative, Inc.  

Zelman received one of the highest honors from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the 2016 ‘Lenna Frances Cooper Memorial Award’ in recognition of a distinguished career and remarkable contributions to the dietetics profession.  In 2007, Zelman was awarded the prestigious AND “Media Excellence Award” for her contribution and commitment to educating consumers about food and nutrition. The American Society for Nutrition (ASN) named Kathleen the 2011 recipient of their “Nutrition Science Media Award” for outstanding science and nutrition journalism. The Institute of Food Technologists awarded her with the 2012 “Media Award for Excellence in Consumer Journalism”. 

In 2014 Zelman was awarded the “Distinguished Alumni” award from Montclair State University.  Zelman has extensive media experience, including co-hosting a weekly radio program for four years, serving twelve years as a national spokesperson for the Academy and over a thousand print and television appearances and co-authored several books.  

Zelman is an invited speaker at professional meetings worldwide including the National Academy of Sciences Sackler Colloquium on the ‘Science of Science Communication’, sharing the stage as the nutrition expert with First Lady Michelle Obama celebrating Let’s Move and with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to make comments at the launch of My Plate.  

Kathleen has served as a judge for nutrition journalism James Beard Awards since 2009. She is also a member of the Share our Strength Cooking Matters and Church & Dwight’s advisory board. Zelman has been a dietetic internship director at Ochsner Medical Institutions and assistant professor at St. Mary’s Dominican College.  Active in local, state and national dietetic associations and recently served as director at large on the Academy’s board of directors.  She has served as a trustee on the Georgia Dietetic Foundation and two terms as a delegate to the Academy House of Delegates. She received her master’s degree in public health from Tulane University and her Bachelor of Science from Montclair State University. 

The presenter reports the following relevant disclosures: consultant for WebMD, owner of No Nonsense Nutrition, LLC, Medical Advisory Board of Nutrition4Kids, Sabra Wellness & Nutrition Advisory Board, Bayer Leaders Engaged in Advancing Dialogue on Agriculture. She has certified that no conflict of interest exists for this program. View our disclosure policy.