Wyclecia Wiggs Harris, PhD, CAE, has been named incoming CEO of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, effective July 1. Harris will succeed Patricia M. Babjak, who is retiring on June 30 after serving as CEO since 2009.
 
In her new role, Harris will oversee all entities under the Academy’s umbrella including management of 170 employees. She will manage nearly $55 million in revenue, including investment returns, $34 million in operating expenses, and nearly $97 million in total assets. She will direct the Academy’s national and international initiatives in consumer education, nutrition science research, advocacy, and public policy. Harris will also serve as CEO of the Academy’s foundation, a charitable organization devoted exclusively to promoting nutrition and dietetics.
 
The Academy represents more than 100,000 credentialed practitioners throughout the U.S. and the world.
 
“Wylecia Wiggs Harris has thoroughly impressed the Academy’s Board of Directors as an accomplished, visionary executive, and it is my pleasure to welcome her to the Academy,” said Ellen R. Shanley, RDN, the Academy’s 2022-2023 President. “Wylecia’s 30-plus years of experience and her demonstrated ability to lead organizational and cultural change, develop effective teams, increase revenue streams, work with diverse stakeholders and foster strong strategic partnerships make her an ideal leader for the Academy and the entire nutrition and dietetics profession.”
 
Harris most recently served as CEO of American Health Information Management Association since 2018. At her former role she led the association’s domestic and international expansion.
 
From 2015 to 2018, Harris was CEO of the League of Women Voters U.S., where she developed strategic and operational changes. She co-created a strategy with elected leadership to enhance the impact, relevance, and visibility of the organization and its 700-plus affiliate units.
 
From 2010 to 2015, Harris worked as chief of staff and special projects officer at the American Nurses Association Enterprise. Prior to this role, Harris was the executive director of the Center for American Nurses; executive director of Sister to Sister—Everyone Has a Heart Foundation; senior vice president/executive director at the American Heart Association Mid-Atlantic Region; and held leadership roles at the American Heart Association national office.