LaChell Miller is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Culinarian. Originally from Rhode Island, LaChell moved to New Jersey when she was 10 years old. She completed her undergraduate studies in Culinary Nutrition at Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI. LaChell went on to complete her dietetic internship and Master’s in Nutrition at St. Elizabeth University in Morristown, NJ.
Growing up LaChell’s dream was to become a chef. She started working in restaurants when she was young. As a teenager, LaChell went through her own health and wellness journey. She wanted to find a career where she could combine her love for helping others with their health and cooking; becoming a registered dietitian was the perfect way to fuse the two passions.
Now LaChell is the Director of Health and Wellness at the American Dairy Association North East, where she communicates with health professionals and consumers. She has worked for the American Dairy Association for the last five years helping to promote the benefits of dairy.
While no work day is the same, much of it entails a “train the trainer” model, where LaChell works with dietitians, doctors, and nurses, on positive dairy messaging. Specifically, she trains health professionals on relaying these messages to their clients and patients along with ways to incorporate healthy sources of dairy into the diet. LaChell’s role also entails communication with consumers, where she develops dairy friendly nutrition messages for media and social media segments.
Before working for the American Dairy Association, LaChell’s first job as a registered dietitian, was as a Test Kitchen Manager for Rodale, a print publishing house that publishes magazines such as Runner’s World and Men’s Health. In this position she tested and performed nutrition analysis on the recipes that were featured in print publication.
Following this position, LaChell worked as a retail dietitian for ShopRite where she met with clients one-on-one, along with leading community outreach events and grocery store tours. LaChell has also held part-time positions simultaneously with her fulltime positions, such as working per diem at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital or involved in grant program work in the city of Newark.
She currently serves as a Media Representative on NJAND’s Communications Team. As one of the state spokespersons for NJAND, along with Beryl Krinsky, they provide statements for any media requests. LaChell and Beryl have also been charged with developing an overall strategy for the communications team, which includes both digital and traditional media.
LaChell was a mentor in the Diversify Dietetics Mentor Program. The purpose of this program is to mentor the next generation of diverse nutrition experts. LaChell still keeps in close contact with her mentee.
When asked what her greatest career challenge has been, LaChell reflects,
“When I started out, I didn’t work around any dietitians and the first job that I had I was really shy, and that was the advice I got on my way out, to be more outspoken… So, when I got to Shop Rite, [I was] trying to assert my voice and just trying to find that balance of when to manage up and when to manage down.”
LaChell notes how having emotional intelligence is of extreme importance to succeed in any work environment because as dietitians,
“We have to work with people in other disciplines and be able to know our voice, but we also have to be hearing out others, and sometimes that can be a challenge when you are just starting out.”
LaChell has two pieces of advice to offer those interested in entering the dietetics field: be open minded and network.
“You will be working in spaces where you are the only dietitian, don’t be afraid of that; embrace that and be willing to work with others outside of dietetics, because it will just put more tools in your toolbox. And, get involved with the Academy as much as you can… Being involved in those DPG groups are great for networking with others. Your network is your net worth.”
Aside from her career as a dietitian, LaChell loves experiencing “Jersey Fresh” produce and farms. She loves going to farmers markets, picking her own apples or peaches, or visiting dairy farms throughout New Jersey. She also enjoys spending time outside and tubing on the Delaware river.
@lachellmiller
