Academy Welcomes Kelly Horton as Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Government Relations

March 17, 2025

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, has selected Kelly Horton to lead the organization’s advocacy and policy efforts as the senior vice president of Public Policy and Government Relations.

"The Academy is thrilled to welcome Kelly Horton aboard," said Wylecia Wiggs Harris, chief executive officer of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. "Kelly's background as a registered dietitian nutritionist, policy leadership, nutrition security advocacy and Capitol Hill experience will support the Academy's commitment to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of nutrition and dietetics."

Before joining the Academy, Horton served as Interim President and Chief Program Officer for the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) where she oversaw the nonprofit organization's efforts to improve the nutrition, health and well-being of people struggling with nutrition security. Prior to FRAC, Horton held a variety of policy leadership roles, including the senior director of Government Relations for The Pew Charitable Trusts and agriculture and nutrition senior policy advisor for a ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration.

"I am excited to join the Academy as senior vice president of Public Policy and Government Relations," said Horton. "As a registered dietitian nutritionist, I look forward to working with policymakers to advance the profession while expanding access to critical nutrition care services."

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Representing more than 112,000 credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy at www.eatright.org.