Board of Directors
Emily Estes | Co-Founder, President
Emily Estes earned her Masters of Science in Nutrition and Health Science at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL). Through the completion of her dietetic internship at UNL, Emily held a special interest for developing skills to engage in eating disorder treatment. Her passion for education, treatment, and prevention of eating disorders led Emily to enter private practice following her dietetic internship. She is the Founder of Sage Nutrition, LLC where services are specifically geared toward food, exercise, and body image struggles. Her treatment philosophy encompasses a Health At Every Size approach with a goal to see individuals move toward self-acceptance while finding joy and pleasure in their relationship to food and body.
Emily has long been an advocate for bringing eating disorder treatment opportunities to the Nebraska community. Emily is passionate about bringing community providers together to provide networking and continuing education opportunities. She is the Co-Founder of the Nebraska Eating Disorder Network (NEDN).
Jess Wegener | Secretary
Jess Wegener has been a Registered Dietitian specializing in Sports Nutrition, Disordered Eating, Corporate wellness, PCOS Nutrition, since 2003. Her passion for food and nutrition began as a young girl in Minnesota helping her mother cook for their family of six and participating in the local 4-H program. Jess attended the University Of Nebraska on a full scholarship for gymnastics, where she completed her Bachelors Degree in Nutritional Science & Dietetics. She then went on to obtain her RD license by completing her Dietetic Internship at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. While in college and graduate school Jess worked at Husker Power Performance Nutrition in the athletic department at the University of Nebraska. From 2004 through 2009 she worked at a prominent Eating Disorder Treatment Center, in Chandler, Arizona. Jess has experience working for the United States Air Force from 2010-2014 and is currently the nutrition consultant for Athlete’s Training Center Sports Performance & Physical Therapy.
Jess and her husband moved back to Omaha to be closer to family after having their first child in November of 2009, and then added a second boy in October of 2012. She obtained my Certification in Sports Dietetics in 2010 and since then has had the pleasure of working with many elite, club, high-school, and masters level athletic teams and athletes. Jess has a true passion for helping people develop healthy relationships with food & exercise. She believes that eating should be a joyful experience that does not control us but allows us to make easy balanced food decisions.
Mary Lynn Kardell | Treasurer
Mary Lynn Kardell is a Registered Dietitian, providing ethical, evidence-based nutrition counseling for the past 29 years. She works to empower her clients to enjoy nourishing their bodies in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Utilizing realistic and effective counseling approaches, her goal is to help clients develop the knowledge and skills they need to foster true health and well-being while feeling confident with their food and lifestyle choices.
After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, she completed her dietetic internship at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas. She worked at numerous Academic medical Centers in Omaha and Chicago, including the Nebraska Medical Center Eating Disorders Program and was the Editor of the Transplant Chapter for the North American Manual of Clinical Dietetics, 6th Edition. She opened her private practice in Omaha in 2005 providing nutrition counseling for individuals with disordered eating patterns, GI issues, Women’s Health, as well as other nutritional needs. She volunteers extensively, both personally and professionally. She is currently the Treasurer for the Nebraska Eating Disorder Network.
Mallory Gauer | Marketing Chair
Mallory Gauer is a dedicated professional who holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Her career journey began with an internship at EDCare, an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) specializing in eating disorder treatment, located in Omaha, NE. During her time at EDCare, she honed her skills as an Admissions Assessment Clinician, assessing individuals with eating disorders and providing expert recommendations for their treatment. It was here that Mallory discovered her deep passion for the treatment of eating disorders and recognized the pressing need for more qualified clinicians in this field.
Currently, Mallory works as an outpatient therapist at Thrive Collaborative Care, where she collaborates with a skilled team of APRNs and experienced clinicians to deliver exceptional care to her clients. Her therapeutic approach is comprehensive, addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of the struggle, blending evidence-based therapies with personalized interventions.
Through her work with the NEDN (National Eating Disorder Network), Mallory is committed to expanding the community of well-equipped providers who can confidently and effectively work with individuals facing eating disorders.
Lindsey Lousch | Events Coordinator
Tiffany Einsenbraun | Member at Large
Tiffany Eisenbraun earned her Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from South Dakota State University in 2015. She is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner license for the state of Nebraska and a Licensed Professional Counselor for the state of Missouri. Grief therapy is what led her to the field of counseling, but she has since expanded her expertise to include work with clients who are struggling with eating disorders, mood disorders, infertility and assisting clients to address a variety of other mental health issues. Tiffany has experience working in diverse clinical settings such as Intensive Outpatient Programs for Eating Disorders and Substance Abuse, leading grief support groups, and running a private practice. She enjoys working with a variety of adult clients and takes a strengths based, person-centered, approach that incorporates self-compassion and curiosity in her clinical care.
Tiffany is currently the Director of Behavioral Health Services with Affinity Community Counseling and the Community Supports Network, Inc. She helps connect members of the community to therapists who they will have a strong therapeutic relationship with. She also oversees clinical oversight for individuals who are supported in their daily living through CSN.
She is a Nebraska transplant, originally from South Dakota. She has lived in Lincoln, NE for almost ten years and is happy to call Lincoln her forever home. She enjoys connecting with therapists in the community and to help spread awareness of eating disorders and other mental health.
Alicia Roeder | Member at Large
Alicia’s journey in the field of counseling began when she obtained her Masters of Clinical Counseling from Bellevue University in 2010. For a decade, she dedicated herself to child welfare work, displaying a deep commitment to supporting vulnerable individuals and families.
Presently, Alicia serves as a compassionate private practice therapist in both Iowa and Nebraska, specializing in helping individuals struggling with eating disorders, disordered eating, anxiety, and depression for nearly three years. In 2021, Alicia founded her private practice, Birch Grove Counseling, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Guided by the principles of Health at Every Size (HAES), Alicia approaches her work with inclusivity, LGBTQIA+ affirmation, and a positive outlook on body image. Her personal journey of recovering from an eating disorder offers invaluable insight and empathy when working with her clients.
Alicia’s ongoing dedication to professional growth is evident as she pursues certification as a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) and maintains her status as a certified intuitive eating counselor. Alicia is also a member and board chair at the Eating Disorder Coalition of Iowa (EDCI).
Beyond her professional life, Alicia finds joy in her love for animals, caring for her three dogs and two cats. She also treasures quality time spent with her children and has a deep passion for rock music.