Staff Bios Meet the KRNC team!

KRNC registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) all hold master’s degrees in nutrition and have experience serving clients with a wide range of nutrition needs. Click here to learn more about the nutrition needs we address.

All of our RDNs also serve as preceptors and mentors to up-and-coming CSU dietetic students and interns.

Role at KRNC 

Charlotte Carlson (she, her, hers) has been a registered dietitian nutritionist at the Kendall Reagan Nutrition Center since 2019. She stepped into the director role in 2023 in addition to seeing clients for nutrition counseling, facilitating cooking classes, workshops, group programs, and presentations for the community. As a nutrition counselor, Charlotte works individually with clients to address a variety of nutrition needs and specializes in eating disorders and disordered eating treatment.

Formal Education/Experience 

Charlotte grew up in Dubai before moving to Colorado to start high school. She received her bachelor’s degrees in biology and psychology from the University of Denver before starting graduate school at Colorado State University to pursue her passion for nutrition and dietetics. Charlotte finished her dietetic internship and received her master’s degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition in 2019, during which she worked at the Kendall Reagan Nutrition Center as the graduate teaching assistant.

Approach 

By integrating weight-inclusive, Health at Every Size®, and non-diet approaches, Charlotte supports her clients through their unique health journeys and empowers them to find an approach to health, food, and movement that is sustainable, joyful, and shame-free.

Charlotte’s clients appreciate her compassionate, empathetic approach and say that they leave their appointments feeling empowered to tackle their goals. She emphasizes exploration of their relationship to food, body, and movement, encourages clients to challenge negative thought patterns, and helps clients achieve their long-term health goals.

Trainings:

• International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals- currently pursuing certification

Charlotte is in-network with Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield and most Cigna insurance plans. She is accepting new clients.

Role at KRNC 

Kalyn Garcia (she, her, hers) is a master’s-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor.  She has worked as a nutrition counselor at the KRNC since 2016, with her specialty focus areas being disordered eating, outpatient-level eating disorder treatment, intuitive eating, mental health nutrition, emotional eating, perinatal nutrition, and cardiometabolic conditions including diabetes, prediabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, Kalyn is the creator and leader of KRNC’s Intuitive Eating group programs and serves as a practicum student and dietetic intern mentor.  

Formal Education/Experience 

Kalyn grew up in Newbury Park, California, then moved to Fort Collins in 2005 to study journalism at Colorado State University. After working in public relations, Kalyn went back to CSU to pursue a master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics. She completed her dietetic internship in 2016 and worked in clinical nutrition at Northern Colorado Banner hospitals, cardiac rehab, and WIC (Women, Infant Children) before landing at the Kendall Reagan Nutrition Center.  

Kalyn is currently studying in CSU’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate program. She has a deep understanding and appreciation for the mental, emotional and physical complexities that drive health and wellbeing on a holistic level. 

Approach 

Kalyn uses intuitive eating and trauma-informed practices to guide clients through their healing journey. Her nutrition care focuses on nourishment, embodiment, relief, abundance, skill-building, and enhancing whole-person well-being.  

Kalyn is direct, yet empathetic, and takes the time to understand her clients’ story and unique needs. To Kalyn, client-centered counseling means positioning body autonomy, lived experience, inner truth, choice and consent at the core of the work. She helps clients apply science in a way that authentically aligns with their values and priorities, which brings about meaningful and sustainable mind-body transformation.  

Weight Loss Philosophy 

Although Kalyn has extensive training in weight management and metabolic health, she does not prescribe intentional weight loss plans or predict/promise specific body composition results. She welcomes conversations around weight science, weight loss research, body diversity, body image and Health at Every Size. Her weight-inclusive approach resonates most with those who desire a healthier relationship with food and want to shift away from dieting and the distressing eating behaviors.  

Trainings/certificates:

• Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor
• International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals- currently pursuing educational designation
• Monash University Training: The Low FODMAP Approach for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Certificate of Training in Obesity Interventions for Adults
• Diabetes Educator Level 1 Certification
• Certified Lifestyle Coach for the Center for Disease Control National Diabetes Prevention Program

Kalyn is in-network with Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield and most Cigna insurance plans. She is accepting a limited number of new clients.

Role at KRNC

Amelia Pape has been a registered dietitian nutritionist at the Kendall Reagan Nutrition Center since 2022. In this role she works with clients as a nutrition counselor to address a variety of nutrition needs. She also leads group programs and cooking classes in the community.

Formal Education/Experience 

Amelia grew up in Fort Collins before moving to Montana where she completed her bachelor’s degree in Food and Nutrition from Montana State University. She then went on to complete her master’s degree in Nutrition and Integrative Physiology from the University of Utah. Amelia’s passion for counseling began while working as a graduate assistant at the University of Utah’s health clinic. In this role she provided individualized nutrition counseling to university students, staff, and members of the community along with leading osteoporosis prevention and treatment classes at the university’s clinic sites.

After becoming a dietitian, Amelia worked in the clinical setting where she provided medical nutrition therapy for inpatient adults on a multitude of units including critical care, medical/surgical, oncology, cardiac, rehabilitation, behavioral, and bariatric. Additionally, she enjoyed functioning as a preceptor for dietetic students during their clinical rotations. Amelia then transitioned into an outpatient dietetic position which focused on community education surrounding cardiovascular health and wellness before landing in her current role at the Kendall Reagan Nutrition Center.

Approach

Amelia strives to create a nonjudgmental atmosphere where her clients feel comfortable sharing their goals, challenges, and successes while in the pursuit of long-term health. Her dedication to client-driven care coupled with her knowledge of acute and chronic conditions is central to collaboratively developing and supporting her client’s nutrition-related goals. Clients can expect to be equipped with evidence-based information and the necessary tools to build self-trust and develop sustainable habits that will support their lifelong wellbeing.

Trainings/certificates:

Monash University Training: The Low FODMAP Approach for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Amelia is in-network with Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield and most Cigna insurance plans. She is accepting new clients.

Kristy Root joined the Kendall Reagan Nutrition Center in 2019. As the Office Manager, she manages the insurance claims and payments, works with students and volunteers, helps to coordinate cooking classes and programs, and manages the center’s website and online store. You may also see her at the reception desk or speak with her when calling to make an appointment. Kristy enjoys the variety of programs that the Kendall Reagan Nutrition Center offers, giving her lots of opportunities to engage with CSU students, employees, and the community in their pursuit of better health.

Kristy is a Fort Collins local, and attended Colorado State University, graduating in 2006 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology. Previous to joining the Kendall Reagan Nutrition Center, she spent 12 years working in the Poudre Valley Hospital/UCHealth system in an inpatient psychology setting. Mental and physical health are both areas of passion for her, so the transition from a psychiatric setting to a nutritional one has been a welcome and energizing change.

Born and raised in Colorado, she loves the outdoors. When not at work, Kristy enjoys hiking, camping, reading, and spending time with her family. She is also taking courses in the CSU Online MBA program, and enjoys being back in the (virtual) classroom!

Paulina Tapia Bernal (she, her, hers) joined the Kendall Reagan Nutrition Center in August 2024. As the Graduate Teaching Assistant, she oversees the Nutrition Counseling Practicum courses offered at Colorado State University.

Though she was born in Tenancingo de Degollado, Mexico, Paulina grew up in Estes Park before moving to Fort Collins where she completed her bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition from Colorado State University. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Food Science and Nutrition with the goal of becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist. Her passion for food science and human nutrition began at an early age while in Estes Park, a small mountain town with only two grocery stores.

As an Estes Park native, she loves nature and hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. When not at work or school, Paulina also enjoys volunteering, learning new languages, and trying out new places to eat in the city of Fort Collins.