Leadership
Guiding and Supporting iaedp™ Foundation's Goals
Setting a standard of excellence, nurturing potential, and making a lasting, positive impact
iaedp Staff Leadership
Bonnie Harken, Managing Director
Bonnie has been in the eating disorders treatment field since 1987. She was a founding officer of Remuda Ranch Centers serving as a Vice President until February 2002. Since February 2002 she has served as the Managing Director of The International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals Foundation (iaedp). She has served many major eating disorders treatment facilities as a consultant. She is a Nationally Certified Life Coach (NCLC). In January 2012 she founded Crossroads Programs for Women, a division of Crossroads Programs Inc. After a year of program development and facility renovations, Crossroads Programs for Women opened in a beautiful 1862's home in Pekin, Illinois. Her past service and board memberships include President of the Methodist Hospital Volunteers, Vice President and Treasurer Pekin YWCA Board of Directors, Pekin Hospital Fundraising Ball Co-Chair, President of Scottsdale AZ Metropolitan Business and Professional Womens Association, President of the iaedp Board of Directors, and she currently serves on Human Capital Executive Research Board (HCERB), which is the business intelligence arm of Diversity Executive and Talent Management magazines.
Board of Directors - Officers
Charlynn Small, PhD, CEDS-C, President
Charlynn Small, PhD, LCP, CEDS-S is Assistant Director for Health Promotions at the University of Richmond’s Counseling and Psychological Services in Virginia. She received her PhD from Howard University’s School of Education. Dr. Small is a member of the board of directors of the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals Foundation (iaedpTM) and is a certified member and Approved Supervisor (CEDS-S) of iaedpTM. She co-founded the Foundation’s African-American Eating Disorders Professionals (AAEDP) Committee and has also served on the advisory board for the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD). She is a frequent speaker at National and International conferences on the treatment of eating disorders in college populations. Dr. Small is co-founder of the Institute for Antiracism and Equity and also is the co-editor of Treating Black Women with Eating Disorders: A Clinician’s Guide, Routledge, Taylor & Francis (July 2021).
Joel Jahraus, MD, FAED, CEDS, Immediate Past President
Dr. Joel Jahraus is known for his two and a half decades of specialization in the medical management of patients with eating disorders. A board-certified physician for 40 years, he is a recognized expert on the medical complications of eating disorders. Dr. Jahraus graduated from Washington University Medical School in St. Louis, Missouri, and has a background in family medicine. He entered an academic career as Associate Director of the University of Minnesota Family Medicine Residency Program. He then took a position as the Predoctoral Director at the University of Minnesota Medical School. During his teaching career with the University of Minnesota Medical School, Dr. Jahraus received the Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award. Academics ultimately led to a position as Medical Director of the Melrose Center eating disorders treatment program in Minneapolis, MN. He is now the Chief Medical Officer of Monte Nido and Affiliates. He has co-authored chapters on medical complications in eating disorders textbooks and has been featured in various local and national media, including two national public television documentaries on eating disorders. He has testified at United States Congressional Briefings on the need for health insurance coverage for eating disorder treatment. For his outstanding contributions to the field, he received the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor and was also named a Top Doctor by U.S. News and World Report. He is currently President of the Board of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals.
Ralph Carson, LD, RD, PhD, CEDS, Treasurer
Dr. Carson, PhD, RD, has been involved in the clinical treatment of obesity, addictions and eating disorders for over 40 years. His unique background in health science and medicine (BS Duke University and B. H. S. Duke University Medical School) coupled with nutrition and exercise (BS Oakwood College, Ph.D. Auburn University) has prepared him to integrate neuropsychobiological intervention and proven psychotherapeutic treatment. Dr. Carson has honed his skills in communication and often-complicated science into enjoyable, practical, and informative workshops. He is currently Vice President of Science and Innovation for the Eating Recovery Center’s CORE Program for weight management and binge eating disorders in Denver, CO and consultant for the Pinegrove Behavioral Health and Addiction Center in Hattiesburg, MS. Ralph Carson, PHD has consulted with numerous addiction and eating disorder treatment centers throughout the country as well as being a highly sought after speaker at various conferences and workshops. Additionally, Dr Carson has set up several eating disorder programs and corporate wellness programs. He is an active board member of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp). Working with Academy Medical Systems, he developed workshops for professional groups throughout the U. S. on topics such as exercise therapy, sports nutrition, eating disorders, and childhood obesity. He authored several popular books on nutrition, lifestyle practices, good health and the brain: Harnessing the Healing Power of Fruits and The Brain Fix: What’s the Matter with Your Gray Matter?
Board of Directors - Members
Ovidio Bermudez, MD, FAAP, FSAHM, FAED, F.iaedp, CEDS
Ovidio Bermudez, M.D. is the Senior Medical Advisor for Eating Recovery Center and affiliates. He holds academic appointments as Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. He is Board certified in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. Dr. Bermudez is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, the Academy for Eating Disorders, and the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of IAEDP. He is Past Chairman and currently Senior Advisor to the Board of Directors of the National Eating Disorders Association, Co-Founder of the Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee and Co-founder of the Oklahoma Eating Disorders Association. He is a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and training supervisor by the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals and serves on its Board of Directors. Dr Bermudez has lectured nationally and internationally on eating pathology across the lifespan, obesity, and other topics related to pediatric and adult healthcare. He has been repeatedly recognized for his dedication, advocacy, professional achievement and clinical excellence in the field of eating disorders, including Lifetime Achievements Awards from NEDA and iaedp.
Rick Bishop, MD, CEDS, FAED, F.ieadp
Emmett Bishop, Jr., MD, FAED, F.iaedp, CEDS is a Founding Partner of the Eating Recovery Center in Denver, Colorado. He has written numerous articles, book chapters and a treatment monograph and has lectured nationally and internationally on eating disorders and their treatment. Currently serving on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (iaedp), he is a past president and is chairman of the International Board Advisory committee for international development. He is a Fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders and has served on the Editorial Board of Eating Disorders: Journal of Treatment and Prevention. He received the iaedp CEDS Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014 and was also honored by the Eating Disorders Foundation for lifetime achievement in 2020.
Dena Cabrera, PsyD, CEDS-C
Dena Cabrera, Psy.D., CEDS, is a Clinical Psychologist and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist with a wealth of diverse clinical experience, including over 24 years of treating individuals, families, and groups with a range of psychological and psychiatric disorders. Dr. Cabrera is the owner of Cabrera Psychological Services, an outpatient practice specializing in eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and misophonia. Dr. Cabrera serves as the Vice-President of Clinical Services for Rosewood Centers for Eating Disorders in which she oversees clinical operations, program development, staff training, and supervision throughout the Rosewood system. Dr. Cabrera is an advocate for policy change as it pertains to prevention, awareness, and treatment for eating disorders. Her specialized training includes neuropsychological and psychological assessment, dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Polyvagal theory. Dr. Cabrera is a nationally recognized eating disorder leader in the field. She has authored numerous articles and publications and is honored by her academic and clinical peers for contributing vital resources to the field of eating disorders She co-authored Mom in the Mirror: Body Image, Beauty and Life After Pregnancy (Rowman & Littlefield), the first resource of its kind that speaks to moms and those who love them through a personal and compassionate lens that assists in healing from body-image disturbances and eating disorders. Dr. Cabrera is a sought-after presenter for colleges, conferences, for-profit and non-profit organizations, and in the past, she has written a monthly blog for Psychology Today. She has been a featured expert on numerous national and local news and talk shows for over 15 years including The Anderson Cooper Show, The Early Show with Mike and Juliet, Sonoran Living, Smart Living, The Pat McMahon Show, Your Life A to Z, Doctor Radio on SiriusXM and a special DVD series on Parenting for Focus on the Family. Dr. Cabrera has been featured in national and local publications such as Huffington Post, Arizona Foothills Magazine, Raising Arizona Kids, EDMatters, and MASK (Mothers Awareness of School-Age Kids). Dr. Cabrera has served as the President of iaedp (international association of eating disorders professionals) and currently is the past president and executive board member of iaedp. She is an advisory board member of Rock Recovery and a board member of the Eating Disorder Coalition. She received her BA from UCLA and MA and PsyD in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles. Dr Cabrera loves nerf gun battles and playing games with her family. She enjoys traveling, reading, and musical theatre.
Carolina Gaviria, LMHC, NCC, CEDS
Carolina Gaviria is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a National Certified Counselor, and a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist with more than 20 years of experience in the field of mental health. Carolina is originally from Colombia, South America where she graduated as a psychologist. She moved to the United States in 2000, and has worked with adults, adolescents and children with a variety of disorders that range from eating disorders and negative body image to substance abuse and trauma. She currently has a private practice and works at a local treatment center for substance abuse as a consultant where she facilitates gender-specific group therapy and individual therapy for clients struggling with disordered eating and body image concerns. Through her work, Carolina has helped many individuals and families. She is fluent in Spanish and German and has published articles and presented at national and international conferences on eating disorders, depression, anxiety and stress management. Carolina has been featured on WBWP-LD television and MundoFox discussing the struggles behind eating disorders, weight loss, stress and addictions, and the importance of awareness, early intervention, and multidisciplinary treatment. She also is the co-founder of the Food & Mood, Institute, LLC, a company dedicated to provide online education on eating disorders to the parents of children and adolescents who are in the process of recovery. Carolina has been involved with the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp) since 2016 and holds currently a board position. She is also the president of the iaedp South Florida chapter and is part of the iaedp International Board Advisory Committee (IBAC). In addition to her work in the field of eating disorders, Carolina has been a facilitator for the Strolls for wellbeing at Morikami for the past 5 years where she works with veterans and individuals suffering from PTSD, grief and loss. She is also a board member of commit and act, an organization that helps abused women in Sierra Leone, Africa where they have a counseling center and girl’s shelter. Carolina is passionate about social change and committed to create a better world for future generations.
Kourtney Gordon, MS, RD/LD, CEDS
Kourtney has worked in the field of Eating Disorders for over 20 years both in Residential and Private Practice settings. She has been with Fairwinds Treatment Center since 2000 and serves as the Clinical Dietitian and Eating Disorder Program Manager. She earned her BS in Dietetics and Nutrition Science at the University of Florida and completed her Dietetic Internship through SUNY of Onenota. She went on to complete her MS in Exercise Science and Health Promotion through California of Pennsylvania University. She has been the President for the local iaedp Tampa Bay Chapter since 2012 and has participated on the iaedp Board since 2020. She also is participant in REDC and sits on the Standards Committee. She has been awarded certification through iaedp as an Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDRD) and has been a member of the Academy for Eating Disorders. Kourtney has spent much of her career as an advocate for recovery for those struggling with an eating disorder whether it be through speaking to local clinicians or facilitating and counseling patients to begin recovery eating patterns and weight normalization through educational and experiential activities, as well as act as liaison between care providers to ensure continuity of care of those whom she works with.
Rosanna Mauro de Maya, MS, RD, CEDS-C
Dr. Rosanna Mauro is a Registered Dietitian specializing in eating disorders, she holds a Master’s degree in Group Psychology, she is certified as an eating disorder specialist and is an iaedp-authorized supervisor. Rosanna is Certified as an Integrative Coach and is also a Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach and is currently a Mentor Supervisor of the Integrative Health and Wellness Coaching Program at the University of Arizona. She has 20 years of experience as a dietitian, lecturer, and professor in the field of coaching and eating disorders in Costa Rica and internationally. She is currently the President of the International Chapter of iaedp, member of the Board and of the International Board Advisory Committee. She is the co-founder and Director of Rosanna Mauro Wellness Institute in Costa Rica.
Elisaveta Pavlova, PhD, CEDS, MS, IE-Pro, EDIT-I
Dr. Elisaveta Pavlova is a Doctor in medical psychology, with more than 12 years of experience in the mental health counseling, and coaching fields. She is the Founder and President of the First Bulgarian Organization for Eating Disorders (ED) -Association UNIKAL, and for UNIKAL Online Institute. Dr.Elisaveta Pavlova works as a coordinating trainer and lecturer for students and specialists in the ED field and its prevention, and, as an Instructor for online courses in various тypes of coaching.
Adrienne Ressler, LMSW, CEDS, F.iaedp
Adrienne Ressler, LMSW, CEDS, F.iaedp, is Vice President, Professional Development, The Renfrew Center Foundation, and has served as senior staff since 1990. Adrienne attended the University of Michigan for both her Bachelor of Science and Masters degrees and received a faculty appointment as a Lecturer in the School of Education. A body image specialist, her trainings reflect her background in body-focused/somatic methods to treat eating disorders and body image. Fellow and past-President of the Board of Directors of the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (iaedp), Adrienne presently continues her commitment as a member of the International Board. She is the Co-founder and former Co-Chairperson of the Somatic and Somatically Oriented Therapies Special Interest Group of the Academy of Eating Disorders and an Advisory Board Member to the non-profit, Eating Disorder Recovery and Support in Petaluma, CA. Author of chapters on the use of experiential therapies for eating disorders in 3 textbooks, Effective Clinical Practice in the Treatment of Eating Disorders: The Heart of the Matter, Treatment of Eating of Eating Disorders: Bridging the Research-Practice Gap, Embodiment & Eating Disorders: Theory, Research, Prevention and Treatment, her work has also been included in the first Encyclopedia of Body Image and Human Appearance. She is published in Social Work Today and Pulse, the journal of the International Spa Association. A frequent contributor to the popular media, she has appeared on the TODAY show and Good Morning America Sunday. A resident of Fort Lauderdale, FL since 1985, Adrienne is an avid baseball and hockey fan.
Nicole Siegfried, PhD, CEDS-C
Dr. Nicole Siegfried is the Chief Clinical Officer for Lightfully Behavioral Health. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychology at University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has worked in mental health for over 20 years and has served in national leadership positions for the past 10 years. She is an international speaker and has published research, magazine articles, and book chapters in eating disorders, mental health, and suicide. Nicole believes that recovery is possible for all individuals with mental health disorders, and that all individuals are capable and deserving of a life worth living. Nicole brings with her a commitment to a training-focused, outcomes- driven clinical model and a passion for team culture and collaboration. Nicole lives in Birmingham, Alabama with her family. She loves reading, skiing, and being in the mountains.
Chapter Representatives to the Board
Each year, the chapters elect two presidents from two different chapters to serve as their representatives on the Board of Directors. They are full-voting members of the Board of Directors. The appointment begins with the April meeting each year and is a one-year term ending March 31 each year.
Jessie Huebner, LMHC, LPC, CEDS-C
Susan Mengden, PhD, CEDS-C, CGP
Senior Advisory Council
The Senior Advisory Council consists of former members of the Board of Directors. They serve the Board of Directors as an additional resource when needed. They have one representative on the Board of Directors who serves as a full voting member. They also serve as the Ethics Committee to review any ethics complaints and make recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding any necessary action to be taken.
Julie Holland, MHA, CEDS-C, F.iaedp , Chair
Julie Holland, MHA, CEDS-S is a nationally recognized leader in the behavioral health field as a business development and marketing executive, eating disorders clinician and public speaker. Her unique fusion of clinical and marketing expertise has been instrumental in expanding awareness of and access to quality eating disorders care for patients and families, and in providing leading-edge professional education for eating disorders professionals. Julie served as iaedp™ Certification Director for 11 years where she was instrumental in establishing certification for eating disorders professionals. She continues to be very active with iaedp™, currently serving as a member on the iaedp™ Board and the Chair of the Senior Advisory Council. As an iaedp™ Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Approved Supervisor, Julie has worked alongside world-renowned medical and mental health practitioners in the development and implementation of cutting-edge therapeutic interventions to address these highly complex illnesses. She has worked with patients in several of the country’s leading eating disorder treatment centers, maintained a private practice both in the US and in Bermuda, and became a noted thought leader on the speaking circuit. Julie is considered a go-to expert for journalists and has been interviewed by national media including Vogue, Maire Claire, Good Housekeeping, Family Circle, Reuters and provided expert insights on Prime Time Live and to other television networks across the U.S. Julie has received several professional awards including being named a Denver Business Journal Outstanding Women in Business Finalist and iaedp™’s Special Recognition Award for Dedicated Service.
Eva Maria Trujillo Chi Vacuan, MD, CEDS, FAED, FAAP, F.iaedp
Eva Maria Trujillo Chi Vacuan, MD, CEDS, FAED, FAAP, F.iaedp, graduated magna cum laude from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM) Medical School. She received her post-graduate degree in Pediatrics summa cum laude from the ITESM Medical School. She participated in advance training programs in Pediatrics at the Hospital San José de Monterrey as Chief Resident and at the Adolescent and Young Adult Clinical Practice from the Boston Children´s Hospital at Harvard University. She is a cofounder and the Medical Director of the Comenzar de Nuevo Foundation, for the Prevention, Awareness and Treatment of ED. Eighteen years ago she also founded and directs the Comenzar de Nuevo Eating Disorders Center, a residential and inpatient twenty-bed treatment center. Dr. Trujillo is Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Nutrition at Tec Salud, Medical School. Dr. Trujillo is a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist (CEDS) from iaedp, Fellow of iaedp, Fellow of the AED (Academy for Eating Disorders), International Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and Board Certified in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine in Mexico. She is an active member of several national and international associations of Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine, Obesity and Eating Disorders. She is the former President of the International Chapter of the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals, former President of the AED Hispano Latino American Chapter and is the current President of the Academy for Eating Disorders. She also serves as the President of the Mexican Association of Eating Disorders Professionals. Dr. Trujillo is a frequent speaker nationally and internationally on Eating Disorders, Obesity and Adolescent Medicine and Young Adult issues. Dr. Trujillo has published several papers and book chapters in the areas of pediatrics, adolescent medicine and eating disorders. She is the author of the Spanish book “Creo que tengo un trastorno alimentario…cómo Comenzar de Nuevo” published in 2012. She is also the spokesperson from Comenzar de Nuevo for local, national and international media. Dr. Trujillo also runs a private practice of more than 150 new cases each year, specializing in adolescents and young adults with eating disorders.
Gayle Brooks, PhD
Gayle Brooks, PhD, is Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer for The Renfrew Center. Dr. Brooks leads the Renfrew Clinical Excellence Board and the Clinical Training Department. She has clinical and administrative oversight responsibility for Renfrew’s residential facility in Florida and for the non-residential sites in TN, TX, NC, FL, GA and CA. For the past 25 years, she has treated patients from diverse backgrounds who suffer from eating disorders. Dr. Brooks served as the eating disorders specialist in the HBO film Thin, has appeared on Good Morning America and has been featured in the following publications: The New York Times, People Magazine, Essence Magazine and Perspectives, The Renfrew Center Foundation’s journal for professionals. A frequent presenter at conferences and workshops, Dr. Brooks speaks on topics such as the Unified Treatment of the complex patient, eating disorders and cultural diversity, the interplay between eating disorders and trauma, and eating disorders in mid-life women. Dr. Brooks is a member of the iaedp Board of Directors and is Co-Chair of the AED Diversity SIG.
Kenneth W. Willis, MD
Kenneth W. Willis, MD is a board certified psychiatric physician who has been specializing in eating disorder treatment for over twenty-five years. He did his undergraduate work at Harvard, attended medical school at Dartmouth and completed residency in psychiatry at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. Dr. Willis has been treating eating disorder patients at all levels of care including inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization as well as at the outpatient level. As such, he has observed eating disorders from their earlier beginnings to their most severe presentations including dealing with life threatening medical complications in hospital settings. He has a broad perspective on the management of eating disorders throughout the course of the illness.
Dr. Willis has facility experience with the medical management, psychopharmacological treatments, individual, group and family therapy of eating disorders, and has experience as an expert witness in legal cases involving eating disorders. He attempts to approach each patient with compassion but a sense of urgency with the goal of and strong belief in recovery for all his patients.
Dr. Willis has been a member of NEDA since its inception, and a strong supporter of appropriate family involvement in the management and treatment of their loved ones with eating disorders. He is a member of the Academy for Eating Disorders, a founding Clinical Advisory Board Member of Project HEAL and a member of the Board of Directors for the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals. Dr. Willis founded prominent eating disorder programs in New Jersey and served as Attending Physician, Medical Director, and Supervisor in these settings. He recently served as Medical Director of Monte Nido East Coast Operations helping with its national expansion. He currently has a private practice in the Princeton, New Jersey area and New York City.
Holly Finley
Holly Finley has been in practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico for over 28 years. She is the Founder and Clinical Director of the Eating Disorders Treatment Center (EDTC) in Albuquerque providing out-patient (OP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and Partial Hospitalization (PHP) treatment for children, adolescents, and adults. Holly was the president of iaedp in 2017-2018, is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Certified Eating Disorders Specialist, Diplomate of the American Psychotherapy Association, and Fellow of iaedp. In addition, she studied under Pat Ogden, PhD, founder, and director of the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute, and received a certification as a Sensorimotor Psychotherapist (CSP). She received her Master of Arts degree from the University of New Mexico and attended the Eating Disorders track of study at Saddleback Community College. Holly frequently lectures in the community, provides supervision, mentoring, and training to fellow practitioners and interns, as well as a rotation for the UNM School of Pediatrics residents and students. She currently resides in Albuquerque with her family and two chocolate Labrador puppies.