I was offered my first job after finishing my dietetic internship at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas, TX. My title was to be “Corporate Merchandising Training Specialist – Nutrition and Wellness” for Amway Corporation/Nutrilite Products. I was to travel around the world, creating and conducting global programs to educate consumers and colleagues on the importance of dietary supplements and functional foods/beverages within a healthy lifestyle.

I was a bit nervous about the new role and so I asked my internship mentors their opinion. They were shocked I would even consider such a role as they believed all nutritional needs “could be” obtained from diet alone, and some thought dietary supplementation was like consuming snake oil. Some said if I took the position, my career would be ruined from the beginning.

I was astonished they weren’t as open minded about nutrition knowledge and education. I remember my first nutrition class at Texas A&M University, taught by Dr. Joanne Lupton, who, when asked about the nutrition-based causes and solutions for diseases or ailments, would usually say “the answer to that is not known, but we think …” She was saying that we don’t know all we need to know yet, but here is what the latest research has shown. In other words, we should always keep our minds open to new findings and knowledge.

In 1991, I was one of the first dietitians in the supplement/functional food industry. I’ve been fortunate to have always worked for reputable/ethical companies that never asked me to compromise my ethics or integrity. I’ve joined various trade and professional organizations over the years and have been able to continue to learn and educate myself on different aspects of the business.

I’ve had the opportunity to create finished products in the health and wellness area, including creating general health and wellness products, sports nutrition, and even skin care lines. In my previous role with Roche/DSM, and now as Vice President of Global Brand Marketing with Kyowa Hakko, I am working on the ingredient side of the industry, which involves creating valued branded ingredients that are backed by scientific studies, regulatory and marketing support.

Dietitians are now in almost every company and play an integral role in helping develop new products, marketing and educational support, as well as creating protocols for new scientific studies that support these products. I’m very pleased with my decision to accept that first industry position in the early 1990s and would not change a thing about my career thus far. 

Further Reading: “Registered Dietitians in the Natural Products Industry: Friend or Foe?”