Ellen McKnight Hill believes that healthy communities are built on a foundation of education, access and opportunity. Promoting healthy lifestyle changes and providing urban communities with economic development opportunities by way of fresh food access is Ellen’s life goal and passion. Ellen is a registered dietitian nutritionist, certified lactation counselor, and public health advocate. She is currently the principal of The Maxine Firm. The Maxine Firm is a nutrition, wellness and public health engagement firm. The Firm is made up of a network of healthcare professionals whose primary objective is preventing chronic diseases related to nutrition practices. Through seminars, presentations and symposiums, Ellen, along with the firm’s network of healthcare professionals, travel across the country equipping communities with practical strategies to improve their overall wellness. Ellen has aligned her passions for healthcare with communications and media. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Food and a Masters of Public Administration-Healthcare Concentration from Southern University and A&M College.

“Heart attack doesn’t have to be our family history and diabetes doesn’t have to be our destiny” – Shalom