Awards

Nutrition Entrepreneurs (NE) is the #1 Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics dedicated to entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs. Our members are guided by an overarching mission to create a community that empowers and supports the success of our profession. Now it is time to recognize and honor a trailblazer that has inspired and empowered you!

Nomination Instructions

Recognize a fellow student or colleague by nominating them for the prestigious NE Awards. Be prepared to upload the following:

  • Resume or CV
  • 2 Letters of Support – must be received by April 30th to qualify the nominee. Letters of support should come from people who are able to describe the applicant’s entrepreneurial and professional skills and accomplishments.

Outstanding Nutrition Entrepreneur Award

Do you know a member who demonstrated originality and dedication to entrepreneurism in nutrition? Nominations are open for the Outstanding Nutrition Entrepreneur Award. 

The award recipient will receive a $1,500 award for commitment to the field of dietetics as a nutrition entrepreneur and is invited to:

  1. Attend the NE DPG FNCE® Networking event, where the recipient will receive the award.
  2. Publish an article highlighting his/her experience with the NE DPG at FNCE® in NE DPG’s quarterly newsletter, Ventures.

Outstanding Nutrition Entrepreneur Student Award

Have you taught or mentored a student member with exceptional leadership skills? The Outstanding Nutrition Entrepreneur Student Award recognizes an emerging student leader enrolled in an accredited and approved dietetic education program. The Outstanding Nutrition Entrepreneur Student Award continues to encourage entrepreneurial endeavors and advocate for students to become involved with Nutrition Entrepreneurs Dietetic Practice Group.

The award recipient will receive a $1,500 award and is invited to:

  1. Attend the NE DPG FNCE® Networking event, where the recipient will receive the award.
  2. Publish an article highlighting his/her experience with the NE DPG at FNCE® in NE DPG’s quarterly newsletter, Ventures.
  3. Work with the NE DPG marketing team to promote NE to fellow students.

Award Winner

Announcing the 2024 Outstanding Nutrition Entrepreneur of the Year:

Melissa Joy Dobbins MS, RDN, CDCES

We are thrilled to celebrate Melissa Joy Dobbins, also known as The Guilt-Free RD, as the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Nutrition Entrepreneur of the Year Award. With her mantra, “Because food shouldn’t make you feel bad!” Melissa has dedicated her career to helping people make well-informed nutrition decisions based on facts, not fear.

Melissa brings over 30 years of experience, including over a decade in clinical and outpatient counseling and has maintained her certification as a diabetes educator for more than 25 years. She has also gained extensive media and communication experience, serving as a spokesperson for the food, grocery, and healthcare industries.

In 2011, Melissa launched her Sound Bites® food and nutrition communications business. Her mission? To promote sound science, smart nutrition, and good food. A cornerstone of her business is training dietitians in media, presentation, and communication skills, empowering them to enhance their careers, promote the dietetics profession, and deliver credible, engaging, and actionable information to the public.

Melissa embodies an entrepreneurial spirit, seamlessly merging preparedness with opportunity. In 2015, Melissa launched the Sound Bites® Podcast, which has over 260 episodes and 1 million downloads. It provides a platform for credentialed professionals to share evidence-based information and realistic solutions and has provided over 25,000 free CEU activities for dietitians through the Commission on Dietetic Registration. She also offers a Sound Science Toolkit, a free digital resource for dietetics professionals, demonstrating her commitment to supporting the profession.

Melissa’s volunteer work with the Nutrition Entrepreneurs DPG and other organizations has been extensive. Her NE DPG roles have included Media & Speakers Specialty Chair and Mentor. Her media contributions were recognized by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics with the 2016 Media Excellence Award.

On a personal note, Melissa is kind, intelligent, passionate, and fun. Her dedication and innovative approach make her an inspirational, innovative, and involved professional—truly an absolute treasure and a deserving recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Nutrition Entrepreneur Award. Join us in celebrating Melissa Joy Dobbins!

NE Award History