Winter 2025 | Volume 1 | Issue 10
2025 YEAR WRAP UP
SUMMER 2025 | 1
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR/PRESIDENT-ELECT
HEATHER MASTERS, MS, RDN, CD
PRESIDENT/PAST-CHAIR
MEAGAN GIBSON, MS, RDN, CD
PAST PRESIDENT
ADRIAN LEQUE, MS, RDN, LD. FAND
STATE MEDIA REP
EMILIE WILLIAMSON, MBA, RDN
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PLANNING (PEP) CHAIR
ANNIE WEISS, MS, CD
ABOUT WAND The Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is an organization of nutrition professionals providing expert food and nutrition services to the residents of Wisconsin. WAND is an affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, consisting of approximately 900 nutrition experts commonly known as Registered Dietitian (RD) and Dietetic Technician Registered (DTR).
MISSION Empower members to be Wisconsin’s food and nutrition leaders.
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PLANNING (PEP) CHAIR ELECT
LORI KLOS, PHD. RD
MEMBERSHIP & DIVERSITY CHAIR
EMILY OSCHMANN, RDN, LDN, CDN
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
AVA GOVEK
MEMBER
JENNIFER ADAMCZYK EMILY WALLACE JENNIFER HANLON
VISION STAFF
Optimize Wisconsin’s health through food and nutrition.
OFFICE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ERIC OSTERMANN
ASSOCIATION DIRECTOR
ADDRESS
LIZA ROSENTHAL
CONTACT
SANDY SHIMON
563 Carter Court, Suite B, Kimberly, WI 54136
920-560-5619 | wand@badgerbay.co
OFFICE MANAGER GRAPHIC DESIGNER
SKYLER WOLFF
Click here to submit an article for consideration in inclusion in the next edition pending review and approval of M&C committee.
CONTRIBUTORS MEAGAN GIBSON NATHAN BUTZLAFF
2 | WISCONSIN ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
HEATHER MASTERS
JENNIFER HANLON EMILY WALLACE
TABLE OF CONTENTS (04)
2025-2026 Board of Directors
(18)
WAND Southern Regional Event
(05)
Upcoming Events
(19)
Bright & Berry Spritz
(06)
President’s Message
(20)
WAND at UWSP in August
(07)
Spotlight on HEN
(21)
State Policy News
(08)
WAND Bites
(26)
Donate to WAND
(09)
Nourishing Future Leaders
(10)
FNCE at Nashville
(13)
Hearty Chili Recipe
(14)
WAND 2026 Annual Conference
(15)
Board Call and Keynote Speaker
(16)
WAND 2026 Prospectus
WELCOME
to Our New Members, Friends, and Champions September 2025 - December 2025
Keeley Belair
Elissa Fogarty
Dylan O’Brien
Aila Vazquez
Elizabeth Bird
Cheli Hadsall
Dana Peters
Paige Wageman
Mirra Black
Maria Hanes
Shayla Rees
Rui Ye
Kelsey Brauer
Kelly Herbert
Sharina Sigurdson
Xiangrong Zeng
Samantha Brobst
Charles Kara
Morgan Sleaford
Aubrey Bunzel
Carly Landphier
Rachel Smith
River Dalton
Aerene Lim
Lilia Tregoning
Raymar Flores
Kathryn Nouri
Hiba Ulie
WINTER 2025 | 3
2025-2026
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEAGAN
HEATHER
ADRIAN
VIRGINA
LORI
MS, RD, CD
RDN, CD
MS, RDN, LD, FAND
BS, AB, RDN
PHD, RD
CASEY
ANNIE
CAROLYN
KAVITA
MACKENZIE
MS, RDN, CD, CLS
MS, RD, CD
MS, RD, LD, MBA
PHD, RD, CD, LDN, CLS, CDES
MS, RDN, CD
TRACEY
CASSANDRA
AMY
EMILIE
EMILY
MS, RD
PHD, RD, CDCES, CDE, CD, FAND
MS, RD, CD
MBA, RDN
RDN, LDN, CDN
PATRICIA
BRITTANY
JENNIFER
EMILY
AVA
MS, RD, CD
MS, RD, CD
MS, RD, CD
GIBSON, president
ROSENBURG, professional education past-chair
ELMES,
public policy coordinator
SCHAAL sponsorship chair
MASTERS, president-elect
WEISS,
professional education chair
VANDERWALL,
consumer protection coordinator
ZERBE,
state regulatory specialist
4 | WISCONSIN ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
LEQUE, past president
LAMMERSFELD, co-state policy rep
STINSON, nutrition services payment specialist
HANLON,
rep-elect, northern region
MULL,
treasurer-elect
PODDAR, co-state policy rep
WILLIAMSON, state media representative
WALLACE, southern region rep
KLOS, professional education chair elect
BURKE,
delegate to the academy
OSCHMANN, membership & diversity cmte chair rep-elect, southeastern region
GOVEK student rep
UPCOMING
WAND & OTHER EVENTS APRIL 2026
Annual Conference April 16-17, ingleside Hotel
STAY IN THE LOOP Find more events and up to date by visiting our website https://www.eatrightwisc.org/
THANK YOU
to Our Friends, and Champions 2025-26 WAND Champion
WINTER 2025 | 5
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
MESSAGE FROM OUR 2025-2026 PRESIDENT Meagan Gibson, MS, RDN, CD President 2025-2026 As the year winds down and the winter season settles in, I hope you’re finding time to slow down, reflect, and enjoy the little joys of the season, whether it’s a warm cup of cocoa or delicious meals with family and friends. Winter always reminds me of the importance of nourishment, not just for the body, but for the mind as well. Moving into the next quarter, I’m excited about the opportunities ahead. This is a time for reflection on our accomplishments of the past year, and for planning how we can continue to grow, innovate, and support one another as dietetics professionals. One of the highlights of the fall was our (sold-out!) fourth annual Career & Leadership Day at UW-Green Bay! It was inspiring to see WAND student members and professionals from multiple programs and partner institutions across the state come together for a day full of learning, networking, and collaboration. The event theme, Nourish to Lead, was woven throughout every speaker session and breakout activity, reinforcing the focus on growth and leadership. The energy and enthusiasm made it a truly memorable event! Another notable highlight has been the momentum from initiatives like our Higher Education Network Committee. This group continues to provide valuable insights that help advance WAND’s goals and support the next generation of nutrition and dietetics professionals. I’m continually inspired by the energy, creativity, and ideas our members bring to the table, especially as we focus on fostering growth and opportunities for our student members this year. I had a wonderful time connecting with members at FNCE in Nashville! The learning sessions were excellent, and it was inspiring to engage with so many passionate professionals and RDs. I also enjoyed connecting with other affiliate presidents, presidents-elects, and the Academy CEO Dr. Wylecia Wiggs Harris, sharing our progress toward our affiliate goals, and exchanging insights about the year ahead. I’m also looking forward to our annual spring conference on April 16th and 17th! The agenda is nearly finalized, and we can’t wait to share the details. It’s sure to be a great event, and fantastic opportunity for learning and networking! I also want to respectfully invite you to consider contributing to the Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Political Action Committee (WANDPAC). Campaign contributions play an important role in legislative advocacy by helping elevate WAND’s message and support candidates who align with our policy priorities. Contributions ensure that the statewide voice of registered dietitians is heard in Madison, and your support as a WAND member makes all the difference. As we turn our attention to the winter months, this season also offers an opportunity to focus on professional growth. Whether it’s attending virtual workshops, participating in webinars, or connecting with colleagues in your area, there are countless ways to continue learning and strengthening our community. And of course, let’s not forget to enjoy some well-deserved seasonal treats along the way! Thank you to all of our members for your dedication, engagement, and passion for advancing nutrition and dietetics in Wisconsin. Wishing you a joyful holiday season, a restful winter break, and a bright start to the new year. I look forward to what we can accomplish together in the coming months.
Meagan Gibson Meagan Gibson
6 | WISCONSIN ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
SPOTLIGHT ON HIGHER EDUCATION NETWORK COMMITTEE Meagan Gibson, MS, RDN, CD President 2025-2026 WAND is proud to highlight the work of our Higher Education Network Committee, referred to as the HEN, a statewide collaborative network of WAND members who are also dietetics educators and academic leaders dedicated to supporting student learning, professional development, and academic excellence. Currently chaired by WAND President Meagan Gibson, the HEN serves as a bridge between dietetics programs across Wisconsin and the broader WAND community, ensuring that WAND student member voices and needs are well represented. Since its launch this August, HEN has already held two productive meetings, promoting collaboration and sharing best practices among educators statewide. The committee’s mission is to: • Support student learning by identifying statewide learning needs, sharing educational resources, and promoting collaboration among dietetics programs. • Encourage student and professional engagement through promoting WAND membership and scholarships, coordinating poster presentations and conference activities, and highlighting student member achievements. • Advance professional development by offering mentoring opportunities, leadership pathways, and chances for student members to contribute to the WAND digizine and Digizine. • Strengthen advocacy and collaboration by providing program feedback to WAND leadership, building academic-practice partnerships, and creating additional leadership opportunities for students. The HEN meets quarterly, with virtual sessions in late spring and winter, and in-person meetings at our events: Leadership & Career Day in the fall and the Annual Conference in the spring. This represents a meaningful step in building a statewide network of shared expertise, enhancing student member experiences, and strengthening the future workforce of Wisconsin dietitians. It also aligns with a key WAND initiative for 2025-26: investing in our student members and supporting their transition into active professional membership. We look forward to continuing this momentum and keeping members updated on their impactful work!
WINTER 2025 | 7
WAND
BITES Keynote Speaker Announced for WAND 2026 WAND is excited to announce our 2026 Annual Conference Keynote Speaker... Shana Minei Spence, MS, RDN, CDN. Shana is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist based in Brooklyn, Newy York. She currently works in public health for the department of Health and Mental Hygiene, doing community nutrition lessons, and also owns her own company, The Nutrition Tea ®. Shana will be giving a presentation titled Effective Communication in Nutrition.
Connect with Us on Social Media! Thrilled to connect with the Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics here on social vvmedia! We looking forward to staying updated on the latest trends, research, and valuable resources in nutrition and dietetics. As a passionate advocate for health and wellness. We are excited to engage with a community of like-minded professionals dedicated to making a positive impact on public health. Can’t wait to learn more, share insights, and be part of the conversation!
Member Survey WAND wants to hear from you! As we go into 2026 we want to hear from our members. We would appreciate you taking the time to take this short member survey so that we can better serve our WAND members moving forward.
Holiday Simmer Pot: Simple Stovetop Potpourri Simmer simple ingredients for a natural, festive holiday scent to fill your space with a cozy, welcoming aroma. Perfect for holiday and winter gatherings. Gift Idea-Simply combine simmer pot ingredients in a mason jar or gift bag tied with a festive ribbon and small card with instructions for a thoughtful gift to spread holiday cheer. Find the Recipe here! Recipe credit: The Real Food Dietitian
8 | WISCONSIN ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
WINTER 2025 | 8
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
NOURISHING FUTURE LEADERS Heather Masters, RDN, CD WAND Leadership and Career Day | UW-Green Bay 2025
More than 120 nutrition and dietetics students and professionals from across Wisconsin gathered at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay on Friday, November 7, for the 4th Annual Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (WAND) Leadership & Career Day. This year’s theme, Nourish to Lead, set the tone for a day centered on learning, connection, and professional growth. Hosted on the UW–Green Bay campus, the event created an energizing and collaborative atmosphere where emerging dietitians and seasoned professionals could come together to deepen their skills and strengthen their leadership potential. The day began with a warm welcome from event organizer Heather Masters, WAND presidentelect, Megan Gibson, WAND President & John Katers, UWGB, Dean, College of Science, Engineering, and Technology. Appreciation was expressed to universities from across the state who brought students to this year’s program. Their participation underscored the shared commitment to developing strong, confident, and compassionate leaders within the dietetics profession. Attendees were then invited to join a panel discussion featuring four Registered Dietitians representing diverse specialties within the field. Panelists Meghan Huss, RD, Lee Hyrkas, RD, CDCES, Maddie Mleziva, RDN, CD, CPT, and Tad Taggart, RD, CD, CPT engaged in a thoughtful conversation about career pathways, professional challenges, and the importance of mentorship. Their insights highlighted the breadth of opportunities available in nutrition and dietetics and offered students practical perspectives on navigating their early careers. Following the panel, Dr. Vanessa Leone, Assistant Professor of Animal Biologics and Metabolism Research at UW–Madison, delivered the keynote session, The Gut Microbiome in Nutrition: What We Eat, When We Eat, and Why It Matters for Host Health. Dr. Leone explored emerging research on the intricate connections between food intake, timing, and microbiome function. Her presentation emphasized the expanding role of nutrition professionals in fields spanning metabolic health, chronic disease prevention, and personalized nutrition. The afternoon provided opportunities for attendees to network over lunch and build connections with peers, practitioners, faculty, and future colleagues. This time together reinforced one of the event’s core purposes to cultivate meaningful relationships that strengthen Wisconsin’s nutrition and dietetics community. The remainder of the day featured rotating breakout sessions, allowing participants to explore a variety of leadership and practice-focused topics. Dr. Debra Pearson, PhD, RDN led a hands-on session in culinary medicine, guiding participants through the integration of practical cooking techniques with evidence-based nutrition education. Heather Herdman, PhD, RN, FNI, FAAN, offered insight into the use of herbs for stress reduction and women’s health, blending traditional knowledge with modern application. Other sessions provided tools and strategies for leadership and well-being. Laura Rowell, MBA, RDN, facilitated Mindful Leadership: Thriving in Nutrition, which equipped attendees with practical techniques for maintaining resilience and focus in demanding work environments. Dr. Joanna Morrissey, CPT, PAPHS, CMPC, along with Megan Zander, led The Movement Mindset: Everyday Action to Nourish and Lead, an engaging exploration of how simple, intentional movement can strengthen both personal well-being and leadership capacity.
WINTER 2025 | 9
EVENT UPDATES
FNCE AT NASHVILLE 2025 EXPERIENCE WAND at FNCE! Nashville, TN
10 | WISCONSIN ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
WINTER 2025 | 11
The Beef Nutrition Education Hub. Your one-stop shop for complimentary continuing education, created by health professionals, for health professionals.
• Evidence-based
educational webinars
• Peer-reviewed research studies
• Expert-led podcasts • Immersive learning experiences
LEARN MORE
12 | WISCONSIN ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
beefnutritioneducation.org
WINTER 2025 | 13
EVENT UPDATES
FUELING THE FUTURE OF WAND WAND 2026 Annual Conference Information and Registration Details Below!
Conference Information: April 16- 17, 2025 Location: The Ingleside Hotel, Pewaukee WI Join over 150 nutrition and dietetics professionals in Pewaukee at WAND’s Annual Conference. Hear from a variety of speakers on topics related to this year’s theme, “Fueling the Future through Inclusion, Integrity & Impact.” In addition to great educational sessions, this years’ conference features a networking happy hour, poster gallery, exhibitors and more! Registration Rate • Full Conference includes all meals, conference materials, CPEUs, etc. • WAND Member – Full Conference $225 • WAND Student Member – Full Conference $150 • Non-WAND Member - $300 Lodging Lodging is available at The Ingleside Hotel at a special group rate of $129.00/night for a traditional room. Please call 262-547-0201 and identify that you are with WAND 2026 Annual Conference. The deadline to receive this rate is Thursday, March 19,2026, so be sure to reserve your room today! More info on The Ingleside Hotel can be found here: The Ingleside Hotel
Register Here!
14 | WISCONSIN ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
WAND UPDATES
OPEN BOARD & KEYNOTE SPEAKER Consider being involved with WAND WE want you for our WAND 26-27 Board Team Open Board Positions 2026-2027 WAND has numerous board positions opening up for the 2026-2027 board year. Click the positions below to review the description for each. If you’re interested in one or more, please contact the WAND office at wand@badgerbay.co. Nominate HERE! President Elect Delegate to the Academy Professional Education Chair Elect Southeastern Regional Rep Western Regional Rep Northeastern Regional Rep State Regulatory Specialist State Meida Representative Membership & Diversity Chair Student Representative Sponsorship Chair
WAND is proud to announce Shana Minei Spence, MS, RDN, CDN as the keynote speaker for the 2026 WAND Annual Conference. Shana Minei Spence is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist based in Brooklyn, New York, with extensive experience in public health and nutrition communications. She currently works with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where she delivers community-based nutrition education and supports public health initiatives. In addition to her public service work, Shana is the founder and owner of The Nutrition Tea®, a platform dedicated to culturally relevant, accessible, and evidence-based nutrition information. At the 2026 conference, Shana will present “Effective Communication in Nutrition,” a keynote session focused on strengthening how nutrition professionals connect with diverse audiences, translate science into practice, and foster meaningful behavior change. WAND is excited to welcome Shana Minei Spence and looks forward to an inspiring and impactful keynote!
WINTER 2025 | 15
Vendor and Sponsor Prospectus April 16-17, 2025 | The Ingleside Hotel, Pewaukee, WI
Exhibit Table
$500 Friends & Champions of WAND, $750 Non-Member Organization • 8’ skirted table and two chairs • Non-competitive exhibit viewing times • Roster of attendees provided onsite to each vendor upon arrival at the WAND Annual Conference. • Company Logo displayed on conference materials • One complimentary attendee registration for the full conference (meals included/reception included)
Sponsorship Executive sponsorship opportunities are also available for those looking to show their support. All of the sponsors below also receive: • Full “Exhibitor” benefits listed above • Company Logo displayed in WAND Season(ing)s • Logo and company name on event registration page
Reception Sponsor: $2,500 (1 available) • Exclusive sponsor of reception • Dedicated time to introduce your company during the reception (3 minutes) • Company name and logo signage displayed during reception
Workshop Sponsor: $2,500 (2 available) • Exclusive sponsor of workshop • Dedicated time to introduce your company during the workshop • Company name and logo signage displayed during workshop
Breakfast Sponsor: $1,500 (1 available) • Exclusive sponsorship of breakfast • Dedicated time to introduce your company during breakfast • Company logo displayed throughout breakfast
Lunch Sponsor: $1,500 (2 available) • Exclusive sponsorship of lunch (1 sponsor per day) • Dedicated time to introduce your company during lunch • Company logo displayed throughout lunch
Break Sponsor: $1,500 (2 available) • Exclusive sponsorship of lunch (1 sponsor per day) • Company name and logo displayed during breaks (1 sponsor per day)
Vendor Information Display Times
Request Letters
Request letters and W9 forms are available by contacting the WAND office at WAND@badgerbay.co.
(Subject to Change) Thursday, April 16, 2026 | 10:00am - 5:00pm Friday, April 17, 2025 | 7:30 - 1:00pm
Exhibit Set Up & Dismantle Exhibitors may set up on Thursday,April 16 from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. All exhibits must be set up by 10:00 a.m. on Thursday. If possible, please do not dismantle your exhibit prior to 1:00 pm on Friday, April 17.
Location/Shipping Materials Exhibit materials may be shipped to: The Ingleside Hotel 2810 Golf Road, Waukesha, WI 53072 Shipments should be clearly marked, indicating the conference date, name of conference, and your company’s name. Shipments should be received no sooner than three business days prior to the conference. Coordination and fees related to shipping of exhibit materials to and from the conference are the responsibility of the exhibitor.
Hotel Accomodations Lodging is available at the Ingleside Hotel at the special group rate of $129.00/night for single occupancy rooms. Please call 262-547-0201 and mention “WAND” to take advantage of this discounted rate. The deadline to receive this rate is Thursday, March 19, 2026, so be sure to reserve your room today!
Disclaimer
This program is designed for WAND members and exhibitors whose products and services align with the WAND mission. All applications for exhibit space will be considered. In its sole discretion, WAND reserves the right to reject any applications that are deemed inconsistent with the mission of the organization.
Questions?
Please contact the WAND office at 920-560-5639 or WAND@badgerbay.co with questions.
Special Request If your exhibit requires additional equipment or special set-up assistance, please contact the WAND office. Any special arrangements are made at the exhibitor’s expense. Please include any restrictive dietary needs on your registration form.
To register online, visit www.eatrightwisc.org
Questions If you have any questions about the WAND Annual Conference, or to confirm your sponsorship details, please contact the WAND office at 920-560-5619 or WAND@badgerbay.co.
EVENT UPDATES
WAND SOUTHERN REGIONAL EVENT Emily Wallance, MS, RD, CD Regional News In August, UW-Stevens Point hosted Performance Food Groups (PFG) “Educational Food Show”. A food show with K-12 providers as the primary focus. The food show drew a great crowd of Food Service Supervisors, Managers and Registered Dietitians from the Central Wisconsin area. Vendors provided a large variety of food samples, information on new products, new recipes and unique ideas of ways to utilize ingredients for student enjoyment. Following the Food Show, a WAND networking event was held which included the opportunity to tour the “all you care to eat” facility known as “Upper Debot”. University Dining’s Registered Dietitian, Jennifer Hanlon RDN, CD led the tour which included the back of house for Upper Debot, ware washing, production kitchens and the “scratch-made” campus bakery, Indulge. In addition to the tour, Jennifer shared details about her role within the dining department. The tour group included Registered Dietitians from UW-Platteville and UW-Whitewater, as well as a Registered Dietitian from Appleton School District and a Registered Dietitian retired from school and university food service. The discussion during and following the tour was phenomenal. A lot of great information was compared and shared. looking for our next great networking opportunity. Is your line of work interesting, unique or the typical dietitian work? Do you work in a neat facility that would love to host a tour? If so, please reach out to WAND to get connected with a Regional Representative who can help make your tour come true!
18 | WISCONSIN ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
Nov 23
Berry & Bright Spritz Nov 23 Meagan Gibson
Berry & Bright Spritz A delicious cranberry and sage holiday mocktail!
A delicious cranberry and sage holiday mocktail!
Total time: 5 minutes Yield: 1 serving Ingredients: 1/4 c fresh cranberries plus a few for garnishing 1 oz simple syrup 6-8 fresh sage leaves, plus 1-2 more for garnishing 1/2 fresh lime, juiced, plus 1 slice for garnish 1/2 c cranberry juice (diet work too!) Tonic water
https://www.meagangibsonnutrition.com/post/berry-bright-spritz
12/22/25, 11:12 AM Page 1 of 3
Directions: 1.
Muddle the cranberries, sage, and lime juice in the bottom of a cocktail shaker until the berries release their juices and the sage becomes fragrant.
2.
Pour in the simple syrup and cranberry juice, then fill the shaker with ice.
3.
Secure the lid and shake vigorously for about 10 seconds, until well chilled.
4.
Pour everything including the ice into a highball glass. Top with a splash of tonic water.
https://www.meagangibsonnutrition.com/post/berry-bright-spritz 5. Garnish with fresh cranberries, a sage leaf, and a lime slice. Enjoy!
12/22/25, 11:12 AM Page 1 of 3
Product Favorites: I absolutely love this hammered cocktail shaker from Pottery Barn I also love these drinking glasses from Pottery Barn
https://www.meagangibsonnutrition.com/post/berry-bright-spritz
12/22/25, 11:12 AM
WINTER 2025Page | 19 1 of 3
WAND EVENTS
A LOOK BACK IN AUGUST AT UWSP Jennifer Hanlon, MS, RD, CD Tour of UWSP All You Care to Eat Dining Facitily | Steven Point, WI In August, UW-Stevens Point hosted Performance Food Groups (PFG) “Educational Food Show”. A food show with K-12 providers as the primary focus. The food show drew a great crowd of Food Service Supervisors, Managers and Registered Dietitians from the Central Wisconsin area. Vendors provided a large variety of food samples, information on new products, new recipes and unique ideas of ways to utilize ingredients for student enjoyment. Following the Food Show, a WAND networking event was held which included the opportunity to tour the “all you care to eat” facility known as “Upper Debot”. University Dining’s Registered Dietitian, Jennifer Hanlon RDN, CD led the tour which included the back of house for Upper Debot, ware washing, production kitchens and the “scratch-made” campus bakery, Indulge. In addition to the tour, Jennifer shared details about her role within the dining department. The tour group included Registered Dietitians from UW-Platteville and UW-Whitewater, as well as a Registered Dietitian from Appleton School District and a Registered Dietitian retired from school and university food service. The discussion during and following the tour was phenomenal. A lot of great information was compared and shared. We are looking for our next great networking opportunity. Is your line of work interesting, unique or the typical dietitian work? Do you work in a neat facility that would love to host a tour? If so, please reach out to WAND to get connected with a Regional Representative who can help make your tour come true!
20 | WISCONSIN ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
STATE POLICY UPDATE
STATE POLICY NEWS Nathan Butzlaff WAND Legislative Update from Hoven Consulting Interstate Dietitians Licensure Compact Implementation Update On November 18, the interstate Dietitians Compact Commission held its first meeting to formally create this organization. This meeting was held virtually. Representatives from the 15 states that previously enacted dietitian licensure compact legislation attended this meeting. Tara LaRowe, as the chair of Wisconsin Dietitian Affiliated Credentialing Board, represented Wisconsin at this meeting. During this meeting, the commission approved its bylaws, as well as the commission’s rule on drafting compact rules. Brooke Frederickson, a dietitian based in North Dakota, was elected as the compact commission chair. She is one of the dietitians who worked on drafting the model compact legislation that states are enacting. She has also previously served as chair of the North Dakota Board of Dietetic Practice. In addition, there was a demonstration of an online “compact data system” that will need to be implemented in order to fully operationalize the compact and allow dietitians to apply for compact privileges to practice in other states. The implementation of this system will be a significant effort and will likely be ongoing throughout 2026. Also, the Compact Commission will need to hire staff, write rules that establish a fee structure and application process, and set Compact participation requirements. It may be 12-18 months – or potentially longer – before Wisconsin dietitians will be able to apply for a “compact privilege” to practice in another state that is a member of the compact. The next full compact commission meeting will be held in January and will likely be held virtually. Further updates will be included in this publication. Highlights of FY2025-2027 Budget Law On November 6, the state Department of Health Services (DHS) announced that it recently submitted its application to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for $1 billion in Rural Health Transformation Program funding. This program was created by the Budget Reconciliation Act that was signed into law by the President earlier this year and allows each state to apply for rural health funding. State DHS Announces Priorities for Federal Rural Health Transformation Funding According to its press release, DHS divided its funding application into the following three areas: “Strengthen the rural health care workforce - $337 million. Recruiting and retaining an adequate health care workforce is a challenge in rural areas, making access to quality, timely care for rural residents difficult. This funding will provide grants for innovative workforce projects in rural communities, support career pathways for rural health care providers, and fund services provided by community health workers. Drive rural technology and innovation - $329 million. Rural Wisconsin needs the technology to support and reach residents, such as closed-loop referral systems and telehealth capabilities. This funding will invest in upgrades to rural provider systems, digital infrastructure, and develop a digital rural health care collaborative. Transform rural care through partnerships - $279 million. Rural Wisconsinites experience fragmented coordination across primary care, specialty care, behavioral health, chronic disease prevention, and community social supports. This funding will stand up a competitive grant program for rural regions to create coordinated systems of care where multi-sector partnerships show a clear path to sustainability.” Further details are included in the DHS press release.
WINTER 2025 | 21
STATE POLICY UPDATE
STATE POLICY NEWS CONT. Nathan Butzlaff WAND Legislative Update from Hoven Consulting Assembly Speaker Announces Creation of Task Force Committees On September 9, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) held a press conference to announce the creation of new Speaker Task Forces to address several policy areas. During prior legislative sessions, Speaker Vos has created such task forces, which hold public hearings and meetings to examine specific policy areas with the ultimate goal of drafting related legislation. He indicated that the Assembly will likely vote on such legislation in January and February 2026. Speaker Vos created the following Speaker Task Forces: Protecting Children • This task force will be chaired by Rep. Lindee Brill (R-Sheboygan Falls), who will focus on online safety for children. Government Efficiency and Modernization This task force will be chaired by Rep. Jim Piwowarczyk (R-Western Waukesha County). This task force will focus on: • Replacing outdated, redundant processes with modern tools. • Reducing administrative overhead through automation. • Integrating systems across agencies to avoid duplicate work. • Using data to predict demand and allocate resources more effectively. Elder Services • This task force will be chaired by Rep. Patrick Snyder (R-Wausau), who will focus on helping seniors maintain their independence and social lives, while prioritizing physical and financial wellbeing. Rulemaking • This task force will be chaired by Rep. Brent Jacobson (R-Mosinee), an attorney, who will focus on oversight of state government’s regulatory process. Political Update - Governor’s Race There have been a number of updates related to the 2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial race since the prior edition of the WAND Digizine. With respect to Democratic candidates, Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, and former labor union official and American Family Field beer vendor Ryan Strnad were the first to announce their respective candidacies. Subsequently, state Senator Kelda Roys (Madison), state Representative Francesca Hong (Madison), former Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation CEO Missy Hughes, and former state Representative Brett Hulsey (Middleton) have all joined the 2026 gubernatorial race. On October 7, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul announced that he will not run for governor but will run for re-election in his current role. For several months, media reports had considered him as a potential gubernatorial candidate. As this is written, former Lieutenant Governor and 2022 Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mandela Barnes has indicated that he is seriously considering running for governor. In addition, former Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan has publicly indicated that he is considering entering the race for the Democratic nomination.
22 | WISCONSIN ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
STATE POLICY UPDATE
STATE POLICY NEWS CONT. Nathan Butzlaff WAND Legislative Update from Hoven Consulting On the Republican side, Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann and U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany (Minocqua) have announced their candidacies. Also, Milwaukee-area businessman Bill Berrien announced his candidacy for governor in early July but ended his campaign on September 26. Recent Marquette University Poll Results On October 29, 2025, Marquette University Law School Poll released its most recent poll, which surveyed 846 registered Wisconsin voters between October 15-22, 2025. This poll is the first Wisconsin state-specific Marquette poll since June 2025. This new poll covers political approval ratings, candidates for certain 2026 elections, as well as various policy areas. The following poll findings may be of interest: Elected Officials President Trump Job Approval • 46% approve of the job President Trump (R) is doing. • 53% disapprove. Governor Tony Evers Job Approval • 50% approve of the job Governor Tony Evers (D) is doing. • 45% disapprove. • 5% don’t know. Wisconsin Legislature Job Approval • 39% approve of the state legislature’s job performance. • 50% disapprove. • 11% don’t know. Wisconsin Gubernatorial Candidates – 2026 August Primary Election The following are the results for polling of Wisconsin Republican primary voters: • Congressman Tom Tiffany: 23% • Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann: • Medical Service Technician Andy Manske:
6%
Less than 0.5%
NOTE: 70 percent of Republican primary voters indicated that they have not made up their minds on a preferred candidate for governor.
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STATE POLICY UPDATE
STATE POLICY NEWS CONT. Nathan Butzlaff WAND Legislative Update from Hoven Consulting The following are the results for polling of Wisconsin Democratic primary voters: • State Rep. Francesca Hong (Madison):
6%
• Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez: 4% • Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley: • State Sen. Kelda Roys (Madison):
3%
• Former Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. CEO Missy Hughes:
2%
• American Family Field Beer Vendor Ryan Strnad: 0.5% • Former State Rep. Brett Hulsey (Madison Suburbs):
3%
Less
than
0.0%
NOTE: 81 percent of Democratic primary voters indicated that they have not made up their minds on a preferred candidate for governor. General Issues The most important issue among registered voters: • Inflation and the cost of living:
27%
• Illegal immigration and border security:
16%
• Health insurance: 14% • Jobs and the economy:
9%
• Gun violence: 9% • Affordability of housing:
9%
• Taxes: 6% • Abortion policy: 4% • Public schools: 4% • Crime in your community:
2%
State and Local Policy Data Centers • Costs of large data centers are greater than the benefits they provide:
55%
• Benefits of large data centers outweigh the costs:
44%
24 | WISCONSIN ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
STATE POLICY UPDATE
STATE POLICY NEWS CONT. Nathan Butzlaff WAND Legislative Update from Hoven Consulting State and Local Policy Continued Paid Family Leave • Support requiring businesses to provide paid family leave for parents of newborns:
77%
• Opposed to requiring businesses to provide paid family leave for parents of newborns: 22% Handgun Concealed Carry • Support state law allowing residents to obtain a license to carry concealed handguns: 77% • Oppose this state law: 22% • Support state legislative proposals to allow concealed carry without a license:
20%
• Oppose such proposals: 78%
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DONATE TO WANDPAC
CONSIDER DONATING TO WAND WANDPAC continues to work improve the impact that we can make in the WAND Community
WANDPAC collects voluntary contributions from members into a single account and distributes those contributions - under the directions of a governing board - to candidates for elective state office. Outside of administrative costs, the PAC Program is funded entirely through member contributions. We look forward to building our assests to be able contribute in teh future to legislators who have and will continue to support our nutrition policies. See below for more details on what we’ve been able to accomplish with our WANDPAC dollars - and plan to donate today! If you would like to see your WANDPAC contriubutions and determine if it’s time to donate, in your profiles you can... • Log In • Under “Invoicing, Payment & History” Click on “Donations” • This will share your amount donated over time Thank you again for the consideration of donation to this important fun to advancing our profession
Visit the WAND Swag Store Profits from sales in the WAND merchandise store go towards supporting scholarships for students and practitioners.
26 | WISCONSIN ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
FALL 2025 | 26
buyE ATlocal HE ALTHY W I S CON S I N P OTATOES
Wisconsin is the 3rd largest potato-producing state and our growers are committed to providing you with the highest quality potatoes. So be sure to BUY LOCAL and BUY WISCONSIN. When you do, you’re supporting local economies and getting a fresher product.
NUTRITION AND HEALTH BENEFITS
110 calories | Fat free | Gluten free An excellent source of potassium | 2g fiber 45% of your daily vitamin C recommendation
Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association WWW.EATWISCONSINPOTATOES.COM
28 | WISCONSIN ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS