Neva Cochran, MS, RDN, LD, FAND '78

Award winning registered dietitian nutritionist, Neva Cochran, earned an MS degree in nutrition from the Texas Woman’s University and a BS degree in nutrition and dietetics from the University of Oklahoma. She completed her dietetic internship at Texas Health Resources Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas. She is a recently retired nutrition communications consultant in Dallas, Texas, who partnered with food, nutrition and agricultural organizations to promote positive, accurate, science-based nutrition messages so people can “eat beyond the headlines” and enjoy eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods. She continues to serve as a member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Speakers Bureau and as a volunteer Animal Agriculture Alliance Ally. From 2019 to 2022 she was a volunteer “Have a Plant” Ambassador for the Produce for Better Health Foundation and from 2014 to 2022 was a consultant for the Bayer U.S. – Crop Science LEAD Network. For over 20 years (1990 – 2013), she was an ongoing contributor for Woman’s World, a weekly magazine with an estimated 6-7 million readers, where she created meal plans and compiled research for the diet cover stories, wrote the Diet Club column for eight years and authored several feature articles. She is also a frequent speaker at local, state and national nutrition meetings, conferences and webinars. And from 2012 to 2022 she wrote a monthly nutrition article for Southern Dallas County Business and Living Magazine as well as for Lake Forest Living from 2018 – 2021.

Neva brings a broad range of professional experiences to enhance her nutrition and communications skills. She taught the nutrition classes for an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program for 13 years, was Program Coordinator for the Consumer Services Division of the Associated Milk Producers, Inc., an instructor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences at the Texas Woman’s University and a clinical dietitian in two hospitals. She has also been a nutrition writer for Maximum Fitness, The Female Patient, First for Women and Todays Dietitian magazines, a contributing writer for two editions of The Competitive Edge: Advanced Marketing for Dietetics Professionals and authored or co-authored five peer-reviewed journal articles.

A familiar face in the media, Neva has participated in approximately 1000 newspaper, magazine, radio and television interviews about nutrition, serving from 1990 to 1997 as a national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and from 1985 to 1990 as a Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics media representative. She has worked as a consultant and/or spokesperson for the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, California Cantaloupe Board, Grass Run Farms, Dairy West, Dairy MAX, GMO Answers (as a volunteer expert), the American Frozen Food Institute, Kemin Human Nutrition and Health, Calorie Control Council, Bigelow Tea, Egg Nutrition Center, American Beverage Association, Corn Refiners Association, Sargento, McDonald’s, Mazola Corn Oil, Solae Soy, Cherry Marketing Institute, California Raisin Board, Nutrilite, Nestle Raisinets, KIND Snacks, Texas Beef Council, Kao Health and Nutrition, The Coca-Cola Company, Subway’s Fresh Fit meals launch, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation-General Mills Foundation’s Champions for Healthy Kids satellite media tour, Trade Commission of Spain’s Clementines from Spain campaign, Lean Cuisine’s Lean on Me campaign, National Dairy Board’s Milk Mustache campaign and The Dallas/Fort Worth Chinese Restaurant Association, August Moon Restaurants, ZuZu Restaurants and Audits International. She has appeared in interviews across the country from USA Today and the Washington Post to CNN and Fox News Network.

Active in her professional organization throughout her career, Neva currently serves on the Philanthropy Council of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics Foundation and as an Honorary Advisory Board member of the Texas Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics Foundation. She has served as Dietitians in Business and Communication Dietetic Practice Group (DBC DPG) Academy Foundation Fundraising Chair and Secretary. Other positions have included Texas Academy Nominating Committee Chair, the national Academy’s Honors Committee, Member Value Committee, Nominating Committee, Foundation Board (2006 – 2007 Chairman), Board of Directors and House of Delegates Executive Committee. She is a past president of both the Texas and Dallas Academies of Nutrition & Dietetics. Neva was the of the recipient of the 2021 DBC DPG Founders Award, 2016 Texas Academy Outstanding Preceptor Award – Veteran, 2012 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Medallion Award, 2009 Dallas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Media Award, the 2008 Dallas Academy Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2004 Texas Academy Media Award, the 1996 Texas Academy Distinguished Dietitian Award and a 1981 Academy and Texas Academy Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year. In October 2013, she was recognized as a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (FAND). And in September 2024, she was one of nine recipients of the 2024 University of Oklahoma’s Regents’ Alumni Award.

From 2003 to 2021, Neva has served as a preceptor to over 130 dietetic interns for a one-week nutrition communications rotation. In addition, she has been a mentor for nutrition students in two mentor programs since 2022 as well as an informal mentor to countless students, interns and dietitians throughout her career. In May 2016, she was invited to present the keynote speech, “Take Opportunities, Make Opportunities and Walk Through Fear,” at the Texas Woman’s University College of Health Sciences commencement.

Also active in the Dallas community, she currently serves on The Senior Source Caregiver Advisory Committee, the Juanita Craft Baylor Scott & White Health and Wellness Center Board of Directors, Chair of the Abbey in the City Advisory Council and with several ministries of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. She was honored with the Senior Source Laura Grace Caregiver of the Year Award in 2022 and the Family Compass North Star Award in 2024.