Board of Directors
The FSI board of directors consists of highly distinguished professionals from the medical and educational community.
Antonia Demas, Ph.D.
President
Antonia Demas has taught food studies in a variety of educational settings to people of all ages from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds throughout her life. After graduating from Godard College with a B. A. in Community Nutrition, she worked for 20 years in food education before completing a Ph.D. at Cornell University. In 1999, in cooperation with distinguished colleagues dedicated to the improvement of the long-term health and education of children, she founded the Food Studies Institute. Dr. Demas has received national recognition for her research in food studies. In 1994, her food education curriculum won national awards for the Most Creative Implementation of the Dietary Guidelines from the US Department of Agriculture and Excellence in Nutrition Education from the Society for Nutrition Education. In 1999, the curriculum was published as Food is Elementary©. Articles by Dr. Demas on the topic of achieving acceptance of healthy, low-fat, meals in schools have been published in New Century Nutrition and the American Journal of Cardiology among others. As a consultant and speaker, Dr. Demas works with schools, non-profit organizations, vegetarian societies, and corporations across the country. Television and radio appearances have included interviews with Charlie Rose on PBS TV in 1997 and on an NPR special, "Making Contact" in 1999.
Joan Roos Egner, Ed. D.
Treasurer
Joan Roos Egner received a Doctor of Education (Ed. D.) from Cornell University. Her teaching experience ranges through elementary school through undergraduate and graduate education. Her research focused on regional education systems. Administrative experience includes appointment as Associate Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University and Associate Provost of Cornell University. She is currently Professor Emerita, Cornell University.
Carolyn P. Landis
Secretary
Carolyn P. Landis assists corporations to prepare business plans and to acquire capital through private placement investors. Based in Key Biscayne, FL since 1997, Ms. Landis provides strategic services through Catalyst Partners, LLC where she is a Managing Member. Prior to becoming a consultant, she served as CEO of a computer manufacturing/ refurbishing firm in NY and of a holding company which owned and operated restaurants in NJ. Earlier, she directed consulting, member services, and financial affairs for a non-profit consortium of 500 universities with headquarters in NJ. Ms. Landis has served on boards of several corporations, universities, and nonprofit organizations. Ms. Landis currently serves as a trustee for McDaniel College and a director of non-profit corporations including: HERS (Chair), the premier professional development organization for women in higher education administration; Per Scholas, a corporation which recycles computers, trains computer technicians, and brings technology to underprivileged families; and the Master Chorale of South Florida, a 140-voice semi-professional chorus in which she also sings. Carolyn and her husband, Mark, live in Key Biscayne, FL. They have four children.
T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D.
Jacob Gould Schurman Professor Emeritus of Nutritional Biochemistry
(Cornell)
Author (with Thomas M. Campbell II). "The China Study. Startling
Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long Term Health"
T. Colin Campbell, who was trained at Cornell (M. S., Ph.D.) and MIT (Research Associate) in nutrition, biochemistry and toxicology, spent 10 years on the faculty of Virginia Tech's Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition before returning to the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell in 1975 where he presently holds his Endowed Chair (now Emeritus).
His principal scientific interests, which began with his graduate training in the late 1950's, has been on the effects of nutritional status on long term health, particularly on the causation of cancer. He has conducted original research both in laboratory experiments and in large-scale human studies; has received over 70 grant-years of peer-reviewed research funding (mostly NIH), has served on several grant review panels of multiple funding agencies, has lectured extensively, and has authored over 300 research papers. Also, he a) coordinated a USAID-supported technical assistance program for a nationwide nutrition program for malnourished pre-school age children in the Philippines (1966-74), b) organized and directed a multi-national project responsible for nationwide surveys of diet, lifestyle and mortality in the People's Republic of China (1983-present), c) was a co-author and member of National Academy of Science's expert panels on saccharin carcinogenicity (1978); food safety policy (1978-79); diet, nutrition and cancer (1981-82); research recommendations on diet, nutrition and cancer (1982-83); and food labeling policy (1989-1990), d) was the organizer and Co-Chair (but listed as Senior Science Advisor) of the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research report on international diet and cancer recommendations (1993-1997), e) was the principal witness for the National Academy of Sciences in two Federal Trade Commission hearings on issues concerning product-specific health claims (1984-1986), f) was Visiting Scholar at the Radcliffe Infirmary, University of Oxford/England (1985-1986), g) was the Senior Science Advisor for the American Institute for Cancer Research/World Cancer Research Fund (1983-1987, 1992-1997), h) presently holds an Honorary Professorship at the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine and i) is on the Board of Directors of the Chinese Institute of Nutritional Sciences, the government's leading institution responsible for nutrition research and policy in China. He is the recipient of several awards, both in research and citizenship. In summary, he has conducted original research investigation both in experimental animal and human studies, and has actively participated in the development of national and international nutrition policy.
Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr.
Cleveland Clinic Preventive Cardiology Consultant in the department of general surgery.
Lecturer, researcher and author of one of the longest arrest and reversal studies on heart disease.
Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., was born in New York City. At the age of 7 his father moved his medical practice to Upstate New York and he grew up on an Aberdeen Angus cattle farm. He received his AB degree from Yale University, his MD degree from Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1956, in Melbourne, Australia, pulling the No. 6 oar as a member of the victorious United States 8-oared rowing team, he was awarded a gold medal at the Olympic games. He was trained as a surgeon at The Cleveland Clinic and St. George's Hospital, London, England. As an army surgeon in Viet Nam in 1968 he was awarded the Bronze Star.
At the Cleveland Clinic he has been President of the Staff and a member
of its Board of Governors. He is the immediate past-Chairman of the Cleveland
Clinic's Breast Cancer Task Force, and presently Head of the Section of
Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery.
In 1985, frustrated with the absence of aggressive preventive medicine,
he initiated his studies on ART (Arrest and Reversal Treatment) therapy
in coronary artery disease. In 1991 he was President of the American Association
of Endocrine Surgeons. As Director and Program Chairman, he organized
the 1st National Conference on the Elimination of Coronary Artery Disease
held in Tucson, Arizona, October, 1991. A public television special seen
in the United States and England in 1992 reported his research effort
at arresting coronary artery disease. His scientific publications number
over 150. "The Best Doctors in America", 1994-1995, published
by Woodward and White cites Dr. Esselstyn's surgical expertise in the
categories of endocrine and breast disease. In 1995 his bench mark long-term
nutritional research arresting and reversing coronary artery disease progression
in patients severely ill with coronary artery disease was published. That
same study is now updated at 12 years, making it one of the longest longitudinal
studies of its type. It is most compelling as no compliant patients have
sustained disease progression.
In 1997, as Chairman and Program Director of the 2nd National Conference
on Lipids in the Elimination and Prevention of Coronary Artery Disease,
he presided at a gathering of over 500 physicians and health care workers.
This national and international conference was the "Summit on Cholesterol
& Coronary Disease" and in 1998 Dr. Esselstyn edited the Proceedings
of that conference as a supplement to the American Journal of Cardiology.
His research in progress indicates the reperfusion of blood and oxygen
depleted heart muscle may occur as early as 3-6 weeks in patient achieving
prompt profound cholesterol reduction, lessening the likelihood of angioplasty,
stenting, or bypass surgery.
For more information go to: http://www.heartattackproof.com
Philippus Miller III
Managing Director of Philippus Miller III & Associates LLC, a full service executive search firm serving hospitality entities worldwide with researching and identifying, negotiating with and assisting clients in retaining highly qualified managers and executives. Based in Ithaca, New York, Miller's firm also offers placement services for highly qualified Cornell (and other hotel school) graduates seeking high level employment opportunities in the hospitality industry.
Miller's 20-plus years of international hospitality industry experience give him a comprehensive understanding of, and unparalleled connections within, the industry.
He served as Director of Alumni Affairs for Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration and Secretary of its alumni association, the Cornell Hotel Society, from 1993 to 2004. In this capacity he directed all operations of the most active alumni association in the world, with particular expertise in public relations, communications (both Web and print), loyalty programs, association management, executive search and networking; assisted the School's 10,000 plus students and alumni in all aspects of their careers and lifelong interaction with Cornell; served as Executive Editor of the alumni magazine, the Cornell Hotel Society Bulletin, and Managing Editor of the Cornell Hotel School magazine; supervised the operations of 60 alumni chapters worldwide, which called for frequent international travel; directed the efforts of more than 130 volunteers; and managed the transition from a largely print-based to a largely on-line information system.
A 1983 graduate of the Cornell Hotel School, Miller spent 10 years following his graduation in various executive capacities in the hospitality industry. His first position was as a Corporate Management Trainee with Hyatt Hotels Corporation, based in Arizona. He was placed in Hyatt hotels in San Francisco and Washington DC, among others, and worked in every department, with a concentration in sales and marketing.
Miller then worked with The Related Companies in New York City as part of a team which developed, built and opened a renowned and very successful midtown Manhattan nightclub.
Seeking international experience, Miller moved to Antigua, Guatemala
and worked as the Operations Manager for a resort in the Central American
highlands. Subsequently, Miller became Operations Manager of a resort/safari
camp in a remote location of southern Kenya. In 1993, he was recruited
to work for the Cornell Hotel School and returned to Ithaca, New York.
Philippus Miller III
Managing Director
Philippus Miller III & Associates, LLC
Three Coventry Walk
Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone: (607) 257-2980
Fax: (607) 255-7118
pm20@cornell.edu
www.hotelie.com
Barbara Orlando
New York City
Barbara Buehrig Orlando has been a communications director, president's
speech writer and newsletter editor at MTA New York City Transit since
1993, following two years as director of Public Affairs for the NYC
Department of Sanitation. Her previous 10 years were at Time
Incorporated in Corporate Public Affairs and as director of publicity
for Discover and Money magazines. She began her career as a magazine
writer and editor on Wall Street and later was an account executive at
Hill and Knowlton public relations before joining Time Inc. in 1980.
She is a member of Mortar Board, a charter member and on the steering
committee of the President's Council of Cornell Women, a former Cornell
Council member and a former director of the Publicity Club of New York.
She and PCCW member Anita Miller co-chaired the "Lifelines" conferences
for 1953-'63 Cornell alumnae in New York in 1996 and Santa Fe in 2000. She, her husband and two grown children all live in Manhattan.
Joan Peven Smith
Joan Peven Smith formerly pursued a career in real estate development and public and private school teaching. She is involved in community charities and civic organizations and serves on a number of boards. Mrs. Smith served as Chair of the Food and Nutrition Advisory Council of Miami-Dade County Public Schools. She is affiliated with EarthSave, an organization that educates people about the powerful effects their food choices have on health and the environment. Currently, she is a Director of Florida International University's (F.I.U.) Foundation Board and serves as the Chair of Academics and sits on the Executive Committee. Her position includes overseeing faculty research awards. The Joan and Harry B. Smith Lecture Series at F.I.U. explores the issues of Children in a Healthy Environment. Joan Smith serves on the Board of the Food Studies Institute that educates teachers and children about plant based/whole foods and healthy nutrition practices. Mrs. Smith lives in Coconut Grove, Florida with her husband, Harry B. Smith, a senior partner in Ruden, McClosky, Smith, Schuster and Russell, P.A.
Harvey Zarren, M.D., F.A.C.C.
Dr. Zarren is the Founder and Physician Director of The Healing Connection, a hospital based program at the Union Hospital, North Shore Medical Center, in Lynn, Massachusetts. The Healing Connection is a working practice that places people and the value of human interaction back into the center of the healing process. Dr. Zarren is also the Founder and Medical Director of the Healing Your Heart Program at the Union Hospital. Healing Your Heart is a low cost program for the treatment and reversal of heart disease.
Since 1982, Dr. Zarren has been an Assistant Clinical Professor in Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine. Dr. Zarren is on the Boards of The Association of Healing Health Care Projects, the Integrated Medicine Alliance and The Food Studies Institute. He is a Patron of New Approaches to Cancer based in Surrey, England. He is currently President of the New England Society of Clinical Hypnosis.
A physician trained in conventional Cardiology, Dr. Zarren's practice and approach to healing has included a focus on nutrition as a cornerstone of cardiac wellness and has emphasized hope, personal responsibility fostered by education, and the value of human relationships in the prevention and treatment of heart disease.
In his professional efforts, Dr. Zarren is focused on the prevention and aggressive treatment of atherosclerosis (the number one cause of death in the United States). Dr. Zarren is also interested and involved in changing school nutrition as a way to implement disease prevention and as a way to improve student behavior in school. Dr. Zarren speaks and presents workshops around the United States and internationally.
Harvey Zarren
33 Hawthorne Road
Swampscott, MA, 01907
Phone: (781) 599-4718
Fax: (781) 599-7393
hzarren@cove.com