06 Apr April 2025 Message from the Board President

Moving forward: Strengthening Our Foundation with New Leadership and Virtual Learning Opportunities  

Dear iaedp community,   

Over the past few weeks, I have had the joy and honor of connecting with many of you through conversations at our Symposium, committee meetings, and emails filled with insight, encouragement, and reflection. Each of these moments has reminded me of what makes our iaedp family so special: a shared purpose, a deep respect for one another, and a collective commitment to healing lives through education, compassion, and collaboration.

We are in a moment of transformation. As part of our long-term vision, we´ve made important internal changes to ensure that iaedp continues to thrive, not just now but for years to come. These efforts include consolidating operations, clarifying roles, and improving communication so that we can better support each of you across the U.S. and worldwide.

Change is not always easy, but when guided by values -by our mission, vision, and integrity- it becomes a path forward filled with hope and purpose.

I want you to know that every decision we make is driven by a single question: What will best serve our members and the people they support every single day? With that intention, I´m excited to share two important updates with you:

First, if you joined us in Palm Desert for our recent Symposium, you now have exclusive access to the Virtual Symposium. This is a wonderful opportunity to revisit powerful sessions, catch up on those you missed, and continue your professional development on your own time.

Additionally, the virtual symposium is now open to the broader community as well. For those who weren´t able to join us in person, this is a chance to access the full educational experience, with CE opportunities available through the end of the year. Simply follow the link provided to register and begin exploring the content. If you´re looking to earn a substantial number of continuing education credits this year, everything you need is right here at iaedp.

Thank you for making this year´s Symposium such a meaningful event; your engagement is what brings our work to life.

Second, I am thrilled to share that the Board of Directors unanimously voted to name Dawn Gannon as our Executive Director. Her calm and steady leadership, her unwavering dedication to our mission, and her deep understanding of our community have carried us through a time of important transition. Alongside the Board, Dawn will continue leading with clarity and compassion, strengthening our governance, expanding certification and training opportunities, and elevating iaedp´s global presence.

To support this exciting new chapter, I am also proud to announce two additional promotions: Fey Ogunfemi has been named Director of Events. Her grace, creativity, and attention to detail were instrumental in delivering a successful 2025 Symposium. We are grateful for her continued leadership in shaping both national and local events. Also, Melody Jordan-Carr now serves as Director of Membership and Operations. With her wealth of nonprofit experience and natural ability to build bridges, Mel is already making a meaningful impact on member engagement and internal alignment.

These changes represent more than new titles. They reflect a deeper commitment: to build a strong, dynamic, and inclusive organization -one that listens, evolves, and stands steady in its mission. We´re not just reorganizing; we´re reimagining how we serve, connect, and grow together.

Please join me in celebrating and supporting Dawn, Fey, and Mel as they step into these important roles. And thank you -truly- for being such an essential part of this journey. Your presence, your voice, and your passion make iaedp what it is and what it can become.

Together, we are not only building a stronger iaedp -we are shaping the future of the eating disorders field.

With deep gratitude,

Eva Trujillo Chi Vacuan, MD, MET, FAED, CEDS, FAAP, Fiaedp