I’ve definitely been aware of Keri’s work for some time now, although I didn’t realize she was a second career dietitian. When Build Up Dietitians suggested her for a feature based on her interesting story, I knew it was one I wanted to share, and Keri was excited to learn about this series too.

Why did you become a RD?

I was working in wholesale sales in the fashion industry in NYC for about 10 years and needed a change. I had always been interested in health, so randomly (honestly randomly), I decided to go back to school and become a RD. I had never met one or spoken with one but wanted to work for myself in a field that I was passionate about, so I thought being a RD in private practice would be a great idea!

What area of dietetics do you work in?

I actually find it hard to answer this question since I wear so many hats in our field. I guess you could say I mainly am involved in communications/consulting.

How would you explain what you do?

I mostly work with food brands as a spokesperson to help communicate nutrition messages both to the consumer and healthcare professional. My scope of work with each brand may vary but most likely would include some part of the following: social media posts, influencer events, satellite media tours, blogging, editor desk sides, media interviews as their nutrition expert.

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?

Nothing about my day or week is typical. I could have one day where I am busy with conducting phone/email interviews with major news outlets, conference calls with existing clients and/or prospective new business and creating a social post. Other days I may work on writing a blog for The Keri Report (my personal blog/newsletter), a blog for U.S. News (I am a contributor) and catch up with a RD colleague over breakfast or a lunch date with a PR firm whose brand I work with. And there might also be a day where I teach a yoga class (I am also a Certified Yoga Teacher), see a private patient for nutritional counseling (a very small part, but still a vital part, of my current business), update my website with all my current interviews, and attend a media influencer event.

What has been your career path?

For the first two years after I completed my internship, I worked in a hospital setting as a staff dietitian. From there I launched a private practice that specialized in weight management. Along the way I started volunteering for my local and state dietetic associations, holding many elected positions including President of The New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. I then moved on to the national level as a Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. As a spokesperson for over 3 years I started to meet a lot of magazine editors and television producers and upon their encouragement my book, The Small Change Diet, was born (FYI – this was really just at the beginning of the social media boom – in other words, before Instagram!). Then once I became a published author, new business opportunities as a brand spokesperson evolved. As that part of my business grew, I scaled back on my private practice. 

What advanced education or special training do you have?

Besides my master’s degree I have not pursued any advanced education. Through my spokesperson work at The Academy I had the opportunity to attend many media trainings of which I am quite grateful for.

In an ideal world, what does the industry look like 5 years from now?

Ideally??? Well, I would love to see much more nutrition messages being shared that are based on conclusive scientific evidence than complete bias.  I wish that the influence of social media starts trending downwards and we find other, more productive ways, to communicate with the public and each other. And lastly that consumers seek out RDs as their nutrition experts because of their science-based knowledge versus their favorite, popular celebrity.

More about Keri:

Instagram: @kerigans

Twitter: @kerigans

Facebook: @KeriGansNY

Website: www.kerigansny.com

Blog: The Keri Report

Thanks Keri!