Cynthia has appeared on local television news programs in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, Dallas, and Philadelphia, as well as several national television and radio programs including the Today Show, the Rachel Ray Show, ABC World News Tonight, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News Live, Health Radio Network, and others. In May 2007, Cynthia joined Rodale as Prevention's nutrition director and Grocery Guru columnist.
EDUCATION:
Cynthia graduated with highest honors from Syracuse University where she received a bachelor's degree in nutrition/dietetics (B.S.), and a master's degree in nutrition science with a concentration in community counseling (M.A.). She completed a second master's degree in public health with a concentration in community and family health education (M.P.H.) at the University of South Florida, one of only 36 nationally accredited colleges of public health in the country.
CREDENTIALS:
Cynthia is a registered dietitian (R.D.), and is Board Certified as a Specialist in Sports Dietetics (C.S.S.D.) by the American Dietetic Association. She also completed a personal training certification at the well known Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research in Dallas, Texas, and formal culinary training at the Institute for Culinary Awakening in Portland, Oregon.
ADDITIONAL MEDIA:
Cynthia served as a national media spokesperson for the Chicago based American Dietetic Association (the largest group of food and nutrition professionals in the country) from 2001-2007. Cynthia has a great deal of television, print, and radio experience. While living in Tampa, she frequently appeared on television, including a weekly segment (The Food Coach) on Tampa Bay's 10 (WTSP) Morning Around the Bay news program, the CBS affiliate. Cynthia has also done live reporting for the WTSP morning news, and previously served on Fitness magazine's advisory board.
WRITING:
As a freelance food and health writer, Cynthia's articles and recipes have been published in Prevention, Ladies' Home Journal, Woman's Day, Family Circle, Fitness, Shape, Self, More, Women's Health, Cooking Light, Eating Well, Vegetarian Times, Elle Girl, All You, Parade, and other publications.
AUTHOR:
Cynthia's first book with co-author Denise Maher entitled Your Diet is Driving Me Crazy: When Food Conflicts Get in the Way of Your Love Life, published by Marlowe & Company, was released in May of 2004. The book received a wonderful review in the New York Times (7/27/04) and was a finalist in the relationship category of the 2004 Books for a Better Life Awards. Cynthia also contributed to Today show travel editor Peter Greenberg's new book The Traveler's Diet: Eating Right and Staying Fit on the Road (Villard, 2006). Her newest book Flat Belly Diet! (Rodale), with Prevention's Editor-in-Chief Liz Vaccariello was released in January 2008.
AWARDS:
Cynthia was named Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year by both the Florida Dietetic Association and the Tampa Dietetic Association (TDA) in 2005 and TDA's Distinguished Dietitian in 2006.
ACADEMIA:
Cynthia was an adjunct faculty member in the School of Physical Education, Wellness and Sports Studies at the University of South Florida (the 2nd largest university in the southeast with over 40,000 students) from 2000-2007. She taught undergraduate courses including Personal Wellness, and Nutrition for Fitness & Sport. Previously, she was an adjunct instructor at Syracuse University.
SPEAKING:
Cynthia has spoken at several national conferences including the American Dietetic Association's Food and Nutrition Conference & Expo, the American College of Sports Medicine's Health & Fitness Summit & Expo, the national Medical Fitness Association Conference, the national Athletic Business conference, the American Occupational Health Conference, and others. In addition, she frequently provides nutrition and wellness presentations to corporations, professional associations, community organizations, and sports/athletic teams around the country.
EXPERIENCE:
Cynthia has worked for medical centers, universities, and fitness/wellness centers in New York, Texas, and Florida. She is president of Sass Consulting Services, Inc., which provides food & nutrition, wellness, and communications services to corporations, organizations, and media outlets. Her clients have included the Philadelphia Phillies, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Shape magazine, Prevention magazine, Health Fitness Corporation, and Wild Oats Markets (now Whole Foods Market). Cynthia's areas of professional expertise include nutrition for fitness, wellness, and disease prevention, vegetarianism, disordered eating, dietary supplement education and safety, consumer education, solving couples' food conflicts, and weight management.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE:
Cynthia served as a national media spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association from 2001 - 2007. Cynthia was also active in the Tampa Dietetic Association while living in Tampa, Florida. She served as president, webmaster, and media rep for the organization from 2006-2007 and previously served as corresponding secretary. Cynthia was also president of the Delta Kappa chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma, the National Professional Health Education Honorary at the University of South Florida College of Public Health from 2002-2003. Cynthia is a member of several American Dietetic Association practice groups including: Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutritionists; Vegetarian Nutrition; Nutrition in Complementary Care; Hunger and Environmental Nutrition; Food and Culinary Professionals; and Nutrition Entrepreneurs. Cynthia is also an active member of the American College of Sports Medicine.