Francoise Knox-Kazimierczuk, Ph.D RDN, LD, CLC, FAND

Dr. Knox-Kazimierczuk is an Assistant Professor at the University of Cincinnati in the Department of Rehabilitation, Exercise, & Nutrition Science. A Registered Dietitian and Certified Athletic Trainer, she has over 15 years of experience in clinical and community dietetics and 10 years in athletic training. Her research focuses on racial and ethnic health disparities, particularly in birthing, breastfeeding, and cardiometabolic disease. With a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Health Promotion, Dr. Knox-Kazimierczuk works to shift narratives and policies through community engagement. She is an experienced DE&I facilitator, a member of the Green Umbrella Regional Food Policy Council, and serves on advisory boards for the American Heart Association and Cradle Cincinnati.

Ashley Felts, MS.

Ashley Felts is an operations consultant with over a decade of experience in educational and community programs. She has dedicated her career to supporting children and families through various initiatives. A Hampton University graduate, holds a Master’s in Executive Leadership and Organizational Change from Northern Kentucky University. As the Founder of Ops Solutions, she enhances operational capacity for businesses and nonprofits by designing efficient systems and processes. Known for her holistic and data-driven approach, Ashley aims to foster sustainable change in education and business, focusing on empowering organizations for greater community impact.

Angelica Hardee, Ph.D

Dr. Angelica Hardee currently serves as Vice President of Community Impact at the American Heart Association, where she’s dedicated to Greater Cincinnati/NKY’s community health initiatives. Dr. Hardee leads policy, system, and environmental changes focused on decreasing individuals with uncontrolled hypertension, reducing tobacco and e-cigarette use, and addressing nutrition security. In her role, Dr. Hardee works with community organizations and neighborhood coalitions to identify and address their health & wellness priorities.

Crystal Summers

Crystal Summers is an Assistant Professor and Program Head for Information Systems and Analytics at Northern Kentucky University, holding advanced degrees in Health Economics and Clinical Outcomes Research, Business Administration, and Health Informatics. She has contributed to local health organizations and higher education, and currently works as an IT Project Manager at the Innovative Healthcare Institute in Cincinnati, developing a cancer registry. Her research focuses on health habits, racial identity impacts, and prescription drug monitoring programs. Additionally, she serves on various professional boards, including the editorial board for the Annals of Student Research in Health Sciences, and is dedicated to advancing health informatics and information systems in education and research.

Emily Diefendorf

While living in Pennsylvania, Emily discovered her passion for local foods and relationships with the people that grow and produce that food. This passion turned into a career when a position became available at the Northside Farmers Market as an assistant manager and later manager. Over the next nine years, Emily focused on supporting the community and growers and producers. Emily wrote and received several grants to further the work of food and nutrition education and community engagement. She lives in Cincinnati with her husband and two children. In her free time, Emily enjoys being in nature, spending time with her family, traveling, reading, and knitting. Emily holds a master’s degree in Secondary Science Education from The Pennsylvania State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Geology and Environmental Studies from The University of Tennessee.

Charlie Harker

My name is Charlie Harker, and I am from Lebanon, OH. I am currently studying medical sciences at the University of Cincinnati. I am incredibly passionate about women's health and working to become an OBGYN!

Afolakemi Akinrefon

My name is Afolakemi Akinrefon, and I’m originally from Indianapolis, Indiana. I’m currently a fourth-year student at UC, majoring in Medical Sciences and minoring in Public Health. I’m passionate about this work because I believe it’s crucial to share health-related information with the community in ways that can make a real impact, especially through formats that go beyond the usual methods. I think this approach helps keep people engaged and enables them to better understand and apply the information to their lives.

Mallory Wooldridge

My name is Afolakemi Akinrefon, and I’m originally from Indianapolis, Indiana. I’m currently a fourth-year student at UC, majoring in Medical Sciences and minoring in Public Health. I’m passionate about this work because I believe it’s crucial to share health-related information with the community in ways that can make a real impact, especially through formats that go beyond the usual methods. I think this approach helps keep people engaged and enables them to better understand and apply the information to their lives.

Niyati Kanchan

My name is Niyati, and I am from Cincinnati, Ohio. I am currently a fourth year Medical Sciences student at the University of Cincinnati and plan on attending medical school later this year. I am passionate about the work we do with nutrition education because I believe food is a powerful tool for preventing health complications and improving maternal and infant outcomes. As a future physician, I hope to integrate nutrition education as well as other forms of preventive care into my practice.

Ava Harle

Jenna Lowes

Anna Shepard