Awards

2026 DBC Leadership Awards - Applications Open!

 

DBC awards honor active members who have demonstrated leadership and service in the field of nutrition and dietetics, and who have worked to promote food and nutrition professionals involved in business and communication.

The “Outstanding Leader Award” and the “Rising Leader Award” are recognized each year. One awardee from each category will receive a commemorative item or monetary gift ($100), along with complimentary registration to the next DBC FNCE® event, where DBC will formally present the awards to the recipients.

Help us recognize outstanding leaders in our community by submitting a nomination. Nominations are due by May 31, 2026. Please note that thorough, complete submissions are strongly encouraged, as brief responses may not provide reviewers with enough information for full consideration.

Outstanding Leader Award Application

Rising Leader Award Application

Congratulations to our award recipients from previous years...

2025

DBC Outstanding Leader Award Recipient - Manju Karkare, MD, RDN, LDN, CLT, FAND

DBC Rising Leader Award Recipient - Elizabeth Reverri, PhD, RD, FAND

2024

DBC Outstanding Leader Award Recipient - Nikki Nies, MS, RD 

DBC Rising Leader Award Recipient - Christina Badaracco, MPH, RD, LDN

2023

DBC Outstanding Leader Award Recipient - Elana Natker, MS, RD

DBC Rising Leader Award Recipient - Krystal Dunham, MS, RDN, LD

2022

DBC Outstanding Leader Award Recipient - Deanne Brandstetter, MBA, RDN, CDN, FAND

DBC Rising Leader Award Recipient - Christine Palumbo, MBA, RDN, FAND