Meet our Leadership Team

Rebecca Valdez, MS, RDN, works with Corbin Hill Food Project, where she supports the organization’s development, community engagement and strategic partnerships, and advocacy efforts. She is passionate about food systems, racial equity, and sustainability. She mentors and advises BIPOC nutrition and dietetic students through Diversify Dietetics programs and sits on the Steering and Envisioning Committee of the New York City Nutrition Education Network (NYCNEN). She earned her BS in Communications and Public Relations from Boston University and MS in Nutrition Education from Teachers College, Columbia University where she also completed her dietetic internship.

Nicole is a Registered Dietitian with a passion for community nutrition. She graduated Queens College with a B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics in 2017 and completed her internship in 2019. She interned at several hospitals in the Bronx seeing firsthand food and health disparities within the city. This led her to work for underserved communities educating families in nutrition and helping close the gap with health disparities by providing nutrition services through food access programs. She has worked for the WIC Program at Wyckoff Hospital as a Nutritionist and at Elmhurst Hospital as Breastfeeding Coordinator. She enjoys offering nutrition education to families throughout pregnancy, lactation, infancy and childhood. This is Nicole’s second year in SEC.

​Yelitza Aguilera is an experienced community nutritionist, educator, researcher, and program manager, working with various community-based organizations, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the NYC Department of Education. Currently, she is a nutritionist with Montefiore. Yelitza earned her Bachelor’s in Social Science from Binghamton University and her Master’s in Nutrition and Dietetics from Hunter College. Before her work in nutrition, she worked in various roles within public education for 10+ years as a middle school teacher, mentor for new teachers, and in program management and operations.

Xin Rong Yeo is a recently graduated master’s student who specialized in Nutrition Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She completed her 1200 hours+ dietetic internship and especially enjoys nutrition counseling with patients or clients with diabetes, pre- and post-kidney transplant surgery patients, pregnant women, and geriatric population. Xin was a middle school science teacher before she changed career to pursue nutrition. Xin is also passionate in health promotion and nutrition/health education through public speaking and graphic design.

Jasmine Hormati, is a registered dietitian, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, and founder of Mendinground nutrition based in New York, New York. She specializes in disordered eating and eating disorder recovery and body image work for adults. Jasmine uses a non-diet, weight-inclusive, anti-oppressive, and intersectional approach to help her clients heal their relationship with food, their body, and reclaim their inherent worth. She earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Conservation and Resource Studies form University of California, Berkeley and her Master of Science in Nutrition and Public Health from Teachers College, Columbia University. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, baking, and playing board games.

Carly is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and currently the Director of Food and Nutrition for The Fortune Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and helping justice-involved individuals with reacclimating to society. She is a body-positive advocate, fitness instructor, and champion for “Health and Wellness for Every Body!” Carly received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and pre-med studies from New York University and her master’s degree in nutrition education from Hunter College. She has spent the past several years working in low-income communities, helping black women navigate their health issues and working as a managing operator in the foodservice industry. Carly believes that helping to dispel misunderstandings about nutrition and fitness will help individuals develop a better relationship with their health and encourage them to pursue wellness on their own terms. In addition to her work as a nutritionist, Carly is an entrepreneur, freelance photographer, and cook. She enjoys traveling, reading, dancing, and hosting/catering events.

Melanie is a Registered Dietitian and proud native New Yorker dedicated to helping fellow New Yorkers find the resources and support they need to live healthier lives. Currently, she serves as a Community Dietitian at Food Bank For New York City’s Community Kitchen and Pantry in Harlem, where she develops and organizes trauma-informed nutrition education and programming, crafting engaging curricula and recipes, coordinating preventative health services with various health partners, and managing a thriving public health and dietetic intern program. Additionally, she oversees garden programming in partnership with incredible community organizations. Melanie also holds a certificate in Urban Agriculture from Farm School NYC and volunteers with the American Heart Association, advocating for healthier communities. On her off time you can find her in the kitchen trying out recipes, discovering a new workout class, or roaming around NYC.

Bio coming soon…