Melissa Martin, MBA, RDN, LDN
Martin is a registered dietitian with 20 years of experience in nutrition counseling, community health program development, and business administration. She attended LSU A&M and earned her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics followed by a Master of Business Administration from LSU Shreveport. Martin has worked in Louisiana healthcare systems gaining 10 years of experience as a nutrition clinician and educator for women and children in obstetrics, cancer, neonate, obesity, diabetes, and heart conditions. Later she served as the Louisiana Department of Health Director of Chronic Disease Prevention and Healthcare Access where she was principal investigator for over $90 million in funding across 30 federal grants and served communities statewide, specifically rural and underserved populations. During this time, Martin sat on the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors Board of Directors for 7 years where she supported the advancement of evidence-based practice implementation through public health practices across CDC funded states nationwide. As the Director of Greaux Healthy at Pennington Biomedical, Martin is leading the translation of research into community action by creating childhood obesity prevention and treatment resources and programs adapted from Pennington Biomedical research uniquely for Louisiana communities.
Martin is best known for her creative problem solving, forward thinking, and innovative approach to health improvement and program development. She is a mission driven leader with a passion for helping others to live longer, more fulfilling lives through both individual and population-based approaches to health.
Martin has been a presenter at national conferences, poster sessions, local conferences, association and community events, cooking class host, podcast guest, and conducted numerous media interviews.
Martin has been married for 19 years and is a mother to three active teenagers. When not working, she can be found attending University Lab School football games, cheer competitions, or baseball games. She is a member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank Volunteer, and Alzheimer’s Association supporter.