Alumni Team

Our mission is to establish CSNNAA as the starting point for CSNN graduates. Through community, information and partnership we endeavor to support, encourage and guide all Holistic Nutritional Consultants to achieving success in their chosen path within the industry.

Michelle Weir

Acting President and Vice President & Secretary, Board of Director

Michelle Weir, Registered Holistic Nutritionist™, graduated with Honours from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition (CSNN) and was the recipient of the “Award of Excellence”. Michelle has also earned her certification in Nutritional Live Blood Cell Microscopy. In addition, Michelle has a Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree with a major in Human Nutrition (Administrative Dietetics) from the University of Guelph.

It was her own health issues that led Michelle back, full circle, to her early schooling in nutrition education, but this time embracing the Holistic arena. Michelle has successfully grown her clinical practice with a primary focus on digestive issues (i.e. Candida, parasites, allergies, skin issues), detoxification protocols, Type 2 diabetes and cancer. Nutritional live blood cell microscopy is a tool she uses to help motivate clients, identify nutritional imbalances and assist in monitoring their progress. Michelle practises in midtown Toronto and also teaches for CSNN. For more information on Michelle visit her website at www.pathtohealth.ca

Pat Farouk

Treasurer, Board of Director

After 25 years of a successful career at one of Canada’s top five chartered Bank, and following the death of her father in 1999, Patricia decided that it was time to change the direction of her life. Set on path to pursue her lifelong dream of helping to change lives by educating people on the role of nutrition in preventing diseases, and maintaining quality of life.

Patricia is a graduate of the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. Patricia is a member of the executive committee of the Nutritionist Networking Group. Patricia is also the current Treasurer of the CSNN Alumni Association.

Since graduating in 2007, Patricia has enjoyed offering nutritional assessments/evaluation, and counselling to her clients. Her practice emphasizes education and providing knowledge to help her clients accept personal responsibility for their own health, and lifestyle choices.

Patricia also works co-operatively with other disciplines, holistic or allopathic to best serve the client’s needs, respecting the unique contribution of each discipline.

Patricia has as a special interest in aging, understanding that while aging is inevitable, looking old, feeling tired, and suffering every imaginable disease is not.

Patricia currently mentors and other nutritionists and students, and conducts free information seminars on several health topics. Her greatest joy is seeing the dramatic changes in her client’s health. She has travelled to many countries on learning vacations and enjoys nature walks, birds watching and admiring all creatures in the wild.

Mirna Sharafeddine

Alumni Services Manager

After almost a decade in the corporate world, Mirna decided that it was time to pursue her dream of becoming a nutritionist and helping others discover the marvellous power of food that changed her life. She is a passionate Registered Holistic Nutritionist™ and a graduate of the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. Mirna is thrilled to be working with the CSNN Alumni Association. She combines her past administrative, planning, analytical and account management experience to support all the wonderful CSNN graduates.

Having gone through her own set of health issues and been a chronic yo-yo dieter, she has finally made her peace with food and has been able to maintain her weight. Mirna believes in eating real foods, as close to nature as possible and aiming for local, fresh produce from various colors, flavors and textures. While she understands the value of cooking, she does not think that you need to spend hours in the kitchen to be able to eat healthy. As such, she focuses on healthy eating for the busy person with simple, nourishing meals. When she’s not deciphering nutrition labels or reviewing the latest research, you can find her on a train or on a plane exploring the hidden gems that our planet has to offer.

She inspires her clients to finally ditch the diet, love their body and feel the glow within. You can check out her latest blog, recipes & offerings at NaughtyNutrition.co.

Karen Gilman

Digital Marketing & Events Manager

Karen’s interest in plant-based eating began in her 20s with her decision to stop eating meat. This lifestyle change and the subsequent birth of her daughters inspired her to complete the Diploma in Natural Nutrition in 2011. Karen brings to the Alumni team two decades of experience in brand marketing.

When not working on Alumni projects, you can find Karen writing about vegetarian living at www.nutrilicious.ca, running workshops, developing recipes and blogging for some of her favourite brands.

Kelsey Reidl

Social Media Manager

With 10+ years working in the Sales & Marketing Industry, Kelsey has been part of the massive evolution of the online world. She has seen & experienced first handedly the positive impact that Social Media has had on her business, and that of her clients… while also recognizing that creating a memorable experience offline is irreplaceable. For this reason, Kelsey’s work always ties in time-honoured principles of building relationships alongside innovative online strategies.

Kelsey lives in Toronto with her husband and rescue pup, Abby. She loves to explore the world in search of the best coffee shops, the most stunning nature, and the wildest experiences (sleeping in the Sahara desert, back country snowboarding & jumping through canyons are some of her favourite adventures, to date).

Elena Pintilie

Administrative Assistant

Elena Pintilie, R.H.N., graduated from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition (CSNN) in the fall of 2013. She is passionate about healthy living, using foods\herbs to re-claim and maintain health, as well as restoring harmony in body, mind and soul. To complement her holistic nutrition diploma, she is currently studying Clinical Herbalism, and is also a Board Director and student member of the Ontario Herbalists Association.

Advisory Committee

Kate McLaughlin

Vancouver, British Columbia

Kate McLaughlin has over 10 years’ experience in the communications and marketing sectors, working for large scale companies in the UK and Canada. Her fascination with the workings of the human body and the idea that food has a direct correlation with how our bodies can function and thrive (or decline in some cases) brought her to CSNN where she graduated as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist in 2011. Kate has since become a mother to two small children and is passionate about pediatric and family nutrition.

Currently, Kate is the Communications Manager at the CSNN Vancouver branch. Some of her many roles include organizing the monthly networking events, writing the monthly newsletters and manning the social media accounts. Kate also owns her own handmade products business and volunteers with local organizations such as Vancouver Neighbourhood Food Networks.

In Kate’s spare moments you will find her playing games with her kids, on a long run with the dog, or at the local farmer’s market with her family.

Lisa Tsakos

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Even with almost 20 years experience in the field of holistic nutrition, Lisa Tsakos has never had a dull career moment. Having had various roles within the industry, most of her work has focused on education, corporate nutrition and writing. Lisa has taught and written courses for CSNN, Centennial College, and the Transformational Arts College among others. Her business, Nu-Vitality Health & Wellness, has launched successful careers for many RHNs across Canada. She authored The Weight Battlefield and a cookbook, and co-authored Unjunk Your Junk Food: Healthy Alternatives to Conventional Snacks, along with a series of e-books.

Today, Lisa organizes and presents nutrition seminars at companies across Canada and writes web-based educational programs. Her most important role, however, is incorporating nutrition principles she has learned and taught over the years to raise her two toddlers.

Lisa is thrilled to represent the CSNNAA in the Maritimes. She looks forward to connecting, supporting and mentoring Alumni to build our reputation and to generate work opportunities throughout the East Coast.

Shonda Holt

Edmonton, Alberta

Shonda Holt graduated in 1991 from Selkirk College with a diploma in nursing. She practiced as an RN in the United States for 12 years with experience in cardiac, emergency room, recovery room, wound care. She moved back Canada and continued her career, as a nursing instructor at Grande Prairie Regional Hospital and most recently was the Program Manager for Clinical Accreditation at the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta.

She began her own healing journey approximately 4 years ago; using nutrition to lose weight, improve energy, decrease brain fog, balance blood sugars and balance hormones. It was so life changing that she decided to change the focus of her career. She graduated from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition in 2014 and is excited to open her private practice as a Holistic Nutritionist. She is passionate about lifelong learning and continues her studies through the Institute of Nutritional Endocrinology. Her passion is to walk alongside her clients and provide support and education that will empower them to have an abundant life.

She was once told that her name means “helper of mankind” and she truly feels that is her purpose.

Melody Byblow

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Melody Byblow’s former career was in marketing, communications, product development and strategic initiatives, working for advertising agencies and a finance company in Toronto for nearly 20 years. It was her own chronic pain issues becoming debilitating over 10+ years that led her to pursue education at CSNN (graduated 2010). The healing benefits and progress she found with her fibromyalgia were so remarkable, she decided to leave the corporate world and pursue entrepreneurial life as a holistic nutritionist.

In her private practice, Melody coaches individuals to detoxify their daily routines, environment and food to support improvements in autoimmune issues, adrenal fatigue and other health challenges. She also is a Certified Master Workplace Wellness Ambassador and a Stressmaster International Associate. Melody enjoys public speaking and looks for opportunities to educate and empower people to take control of their health.

She has recently relocated to Saskatoon to be closer to family and to launch her businesses there. Melody is very much looking forward to connecting with CSNN grads in Saskatchewan.

Melody also has a caregiver support role with her parents’ health challenges now. She has become a member of the Parkinson’s Support Group in Saskatoon, and has offered nutrition education opportunities for members. She will also continue to work with NHPPA (Natural Health Product Protection Association www.nhppa.org) and its mission to have the Charter of Health Freedom become Canadian law.

Stephanie Long

Victoria, British Columbia

Stephanie is a graduate of the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and expanded her studies to receive culinary certification from the Academy of Culinary Nutrition in 2015. With a passion for community building, Stephanie became a course instructor at CSNN Edmonton in 2015 and co-founded a local networking group for Holistic Nutrition professionals that grew to over 200 members. Her practice maintains a balance between supporting one-on-one nutrition clients and supporting nutrition graduates in their businesses. As an outlet to foster community and growth for practitioners, she co-founded The Health Collective YEG which is a wellness-based workshop space in Edmonton.

A newcomer to Vancouver Island, Stephanie hopes to continue to grow her business supporting nutrition clients and nutritionists in her community. With a special focus on intuitive eating, mindset shifts, and success coaching for wellness entrepreneurs, she hopes to provide a holistic approach to all of her clients that encompasses mind, body and spirit.

Leslie Dickie

Calgary, Alberta

Leslie Dickie is a Certified Holistic Nutritional Consultant™; earned her designation from CSNN Calgary in 2016. She brings a unique combination of academic knowledge to this industry with a B.A. in Leisure, Tourism & Society, as well as Marketing Management from the University of Calgary. In addition, Leslie has her Personal Fitness Trainer diploma from Mount Royal University, and has held additional certifications as a Fitness Professional with AFLCA and CAN-FIT-PRO. Leslie has worked in the hospitality and tourism industry in sales & marketing, event planning, customer service training and management.

On a personal level, she has managed Type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, and various food sensitivities through most of her life. Leslie conducts ongoing research on food and supplement products, leading-edge technologies, and management protocols to uncover the best solutions for herself and others, while making connections with sources in the community, and accumulating a collection of reliable, science-based resources that she is passionate about sharing. Leslie is the proud mom of two accomplished young adults. Leslie enjoys traveling, outdoor activities (skiing, hiking, cycling, golf, dog walking), cooking, recipe makeovers, and reading.