ANFP Names New Head

The Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals (ANFP) has named Joyce Gilbert, PhD, RD, LDN, its new president and CEO, succeeding William St. John when he retires on May 31st. St. John had served as CEO of the ANFP since 1986.

Gilbert was selected following an extensive national search initiated by a special committee appointed by ANFP's board of directors. She has extensive experience as a chief executive, fundraiser, clinician, and instructor for a variety of organizations.

For the past five years, Gilbert served as executive director of the Marilyn Magaram Center, a non-profit foundation at California State University-Northridge focused on research and education in food and nutrition, benefiting campus initiatives along with a focus on underserved communities. In that position she has directed fundraising programs that raised over $6.1 million. 

Gilbert headed her own nutrition consulting company until 1995, when she sold it to Compass Group. She was with Compass from 1995 to 2001, most recently as corporate vice president of nutrition services.

In the early 1990s Gilbert served as an Assistant Professor at Penn State University, teaching graduate-level nutritional biochemistry, serving as the program director for dietetic students, and conducting vitamin research for NASA.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of South Carolina, her Master’s in Human Nutrition from Clemson University, and her Doctorate in Food Science and Human Nutrition from the University of Florida.

Gilbert is an active member of many professional associations, including the American Society of Nutrition, the Institute of Food Technology and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, as well as several of their Practice Groups. She has served in a variety of leadership roles within these organizations and is also a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve: Specialist Medical Corps.

Gilbert is a published author on topics including nutrition and diet therapy, CMS regulations, sports nutrition, ideal weight, and many more.  In addition, she is an internationally invited speaker at association and industry events on a wide array of subjects.

“The CDM is the cornerstone of the dietetics profession,” Gilbert said on accepting the post with ANFP.  “Together we will continue to build the value of the CDM credential through empowering our members.  I am both honored and excited about our future and my service to this incredible Association.”

ANFP Chair Ginger Cater, who chaired the CEO Search Committee, said “I am excited that Joyce Gilbert will be the next CEO of ANFP.  She was the unanimous choice of the Search Committee and the ANFP Board.  She won over both groups with her irrepressible confidence, competitiveness, and dedication to excellence. She has worked with CDMs in the past and believes they are the cornerstone of non-commercial foodservice and nutrition management. Bill St. John has served our association well, and we will miss him indeed. Now we welcome Joyce to lead our association into ANFP’s exciting future.”