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Compass Group founded the RDN Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Network to lead efforts to drive diversity, equity, and inclusion within the company, the profession, and the industry. The Network is committed to:

– Encouraging, supporting, and mentoring diverse students pursuing dietetics careers;

– Attracting and retaining diverse candidates to the Compass internship program and RDN positions;

– Expanding cultural humility across food and nutrition services.

Network Co-Chairs

Responsible for overseeing, guiding, and supporting the network to drive results.

Dan Connolly, Bon Appétit Management Company

“I’m so inspired by the passion of this team!

“Our goals are big and bold – but to change an organization, a profession, and an industry, we must think big and bold. Compass Group has always been a leader and, as one of the largest employers of RDNs, is in a unique position to influence the dietetics profession. The RDN DEI network has only just begun our work, but I am confident that we will look back at this moment as the beginning of something transformative.” – Dan Connolly

“The Compass Group RDN DEI Network is a budding and blossoming council of dietitians coming together to promote and celebrate the diversity of all our RDN colleagues”

“I am proud to be apart of this network and I am fully committed to actively working toward accelerating the diversity, equity, and inclusivity for all Compass dietitians and for the entire dietetics profession” – Sunitha Zechariah

Sunitha Zechariah, Morrison Healthcare

Network Committees

Recruitment Committee

Committee Lead
Lisa Abbay, Talent Acquisition

“The RDN DEI Advocate program has been created and will be a great way to have an inclusive group of dietitians sharing our RDN DEI Initiatives to their respective sectors. This will be a great way to share the RDN DEI messages far and wide throughout our Compass Group dietitians. As Melinda Gates said it best and I believe this reflects the creation of the RDN DEI Advocate Program, “We all want something to offer. This is how we belong. It’s how we feel included. So, if we want to include everyone, we have to help everyone develop their talents and use their gifts for the good of the community. That’s what inclusion means – everyone is a contributor.” – Lisa Abbay

Committee Focus Areas

Outreach to K-12 and Higher Education

Outreach to internal RDNs and potential RDNs

Recognition programs

Retention Committee

Committee Focus Area

RDN Values Survey

Mentorship Program

Recognition Programs

“We have been hard at work developing a survey that will be sent out to all dietitians in every sector of Compass Group. This survey will help us get a pulse on how much dietitians feel valued, what is important to them, and how we can improve our DEI efforts as it relates to the dietetics practice within Compass. The results of this survey are going to help us with the mentorship program we have been building, which connects dietitians with dietitians in senior roles.” – Dustin Reed

Committee Lead
Dustin Reed, Touchpoint Support Services

Cultural Humility Committee

Committee Lead
Clint Rasti, Morrison Living

“We in the RDN DEI Cultural Humility Committee strive to develop materials and put forth ideas that are sensitive to the vast array of cultural groups our RDN’s connect with and that are accountable to the understanding that culture is complex and thus requires awareness and insight to appropriately showcase these many groups. These materials can be used to empower our RDN’s to have culturally sensitive conversations and ensure that we are giving voice and recognition to the cultures we highlight.” – Clint Rasti

Committee Focus Area

Culturally humility operators’ tool kit

Reporting Committee

Committee Focus Area

Track and report quarterly and annually.

“Collecting data allows us to gain feedback to evaluate how well we are driving diversity, equity, and inclusion within our company and profession. This information provides us with the opportunity to better understand our audience, increase engagement, and expand our outreach.” – Michelle Sagristano

Committee Lead
Michelle Sagristano, Morrison Healthcare

Communication Committee

Committee Lead
Amber Jay, Chartwells K12

“Our newsletter is our primary communication tool for all of the DEI RDN network, highlighting our dietitians, events, recipes, and content to engage and excite our members.” – Amber Jay

Committee Focus Area

Communication through newsletters and announcements.

Stories From Our Teams

The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Network gathers stories from our teams to celebrate our diversity. Please join us by reading out latest stories below.

  • Coconut “Cheese” Sauce
    The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Network received a recipe from one of our Executive Chefs on Bon Appétit Management Company’s Wellness Team. Please join us in learning more about one of our…
  • Black History Month
    The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Network received a story from one of our RDNs in Morrison Living and their personal recipe. Please join us in learning more about one of our RDNs…
  • Chinese New Year Bao Buns
    The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Network received a recipe from Morrison Living. Please join us in celebrating Chinese New Year with this Bao Bun recipe. Bao buns are all the rage!  They…
  • Celebrating Winter Holidays
    The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Network received two stories from our RDNs that celebrate different winter holidays and a recipe from Unidine. Please join us in learning more about two of the…
  • Celebrating Native American Heritage Month
    The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Network received a recipe from the Mitsitam Café at the National Museum of the American Indian to celebrate Native American Heritage Month. Please join us in learning…
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