Meet the Team!
Katie Shepherd, RD
Dana Purcell, RD2BE
Katie Shepherd, RD
Owner
Working with children has always been my goal, and I've been able to combine my two passions within Food Explorers: working with kids and cooking. As a Registered Dietitian, my goal has always been to introduce children to delicious, tasty and healthy food.
I graduated from UCONN in 2015 and started working at the WIC program. I then transitioned to a Retail Dietitian with ShopRite before leaving to start Food Explorers
Food Explorers wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for the support of every single library, school, Girl Scout Troop, Parks & Rec department and most importantly, the parents and children that make up the Food Explorers family.
Megan Jalbert, RD
Dana Purcell, RD2BE
Katie Shepherd, RD
Instructor
Hello all! My name is Megan, and I was born and (mostly) raised in Connecticut. I earned my bachelors in Nutritional Science and my master’s in Health Promotion from UConn, in addition to completing my dietetic internship with them. I am a newbie Registered Dietitian who loves all food, but I have a special fondness for carbs. I love to cook and I’m always looking to learn new recipes and try new techniques. Some of my favorite things to make are: blueberry crisp, tacos, and homemade pastas. Looking forward to cooking with you kiddos!
Dana Purcell, RD2BE
Dana Purcell, RD2BE
Dana Purcell, RD2BE
Instructor
Hi there! My name is Dana and I am currently a graduate student at the University of Connecticut studying Health Promotion and completing my Dietetic Internship. I look forward to becoming a Registered Dietitian and being able to share my passion and knowledge with others. I love all things food- cooking, baking, trying new recipes, and taking pictures of them! Some of my favorite foods are tacos, sushi, and anything with avocado. I hope to one day open my own café where I would be able to share my favorite things with others. Over the past few years, I have gained experience teaching people all of ages about healthy eating and living and can’t wait to see what the future holds!
Carla Sauza, RD
Karman Meyer, RD
Dana Purcell, RD2BE
Instructor
I was born in New Haven, CT and grew up in Meriden, CT. I have always been fascinated with food, and my love for cooking began at an early age thanks to my family, which instilled strong Mexican and Italian traditions. My love for food and helping people is what made me choose a career path in Nutrition and Dietetics. I attended Johnson & Wales University for a BS in Culinary Nutrition and the University of New Haven for a MS in Human Nutrition. Throughout the years I have worked in many various nutrition and culinary environments including working as a personal chef and as a chef at a local restaurant, selling and demoing infused olive oils and herbal teas all over New England, and also completing a year of service with AmeriCorps FoodCorps. When I am not working or studying, I enjoy studying languages, traveling abroad, cooking for my family and Fiancé, sewing, and working on home DIY Projects. My favorite things to cook are my grandmother’s Eggplant Rollatini, Chicken Enchiladas, and Albanian Byrek.
Karman Meyer, RD
Karman Meyer, RD
Karman Meyer, RD
Instructor
Karman Meyer is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist in Nashville with fifteen years of experience in the nutrition and food industry. As the founder and recipe creator behind TheNutritionAdventure.com, Karman is passionate about sharing the facts about food and nutrition with her audience. She strives to help others feel more confident in the kitchen and focus on the good in food rather than fearing it! Karman has been featured in publications such as US News & World Report Eat, Woman's World Magazine, Shape Magazine, and FitnessMagazine.com and often appears on local television networks. Her first book, Eat To Sleep: What To Eat & When To Eat It for a Good Night's Sleep, was released in May of 2019.
Lexi Rubin
Karman Meyer, RD
Karman Meyer, RD
Intern
Hello! My name is Alexis Rubin and I am a senior at California State University, Long Beach studying nutrition and dietetics. I am interested in becoming a Registered Dietitian because I want to help others reach their optimal health through nutrition. I think it is very interesting that the foods we eat can affect our body and overall health in many ways. Upon graduation, I plan to become a Registered Dietitian working with children, preferably within a school district. After some time in the field, I hope to open my own private practice specializing in pediatrics and maternal health. I love cooking, going to the beach and hiking during my free time. Due to my love for cooking, one of my long-term goals is to publish my own cookbook!
Madi Walker
Madi Walker
Madi Walker
Intern
My name is Krystal Walker, though I go by my middle name Madi, and I am a Nutrition and Dietetics Major at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville Florida. After graduating I plan on doing the Dietetic Internship in order to get my license as a Registered Dietitian. My end goal is to work as a Community Dietitian in low income communities and areas with high counts of food deserts. I want to work with people individually and as a whole community on how they are able to implement nutritious and delicious food into their diets on a budget. I also will be getting my minor in Food Sustainability and I would like to use this to my advantage in these communities and with individuals with how they are able to create spaces for growing their own foods when it is not readily available to them. I am highly passionate about everything food and nutrition related and I cannot wait to work with you!