Meet the Team
Katherine Lawrence President
Katherine Lawrence President
Katherine Lawrence President
Katherine Lawrence, founder of FSMI, is a globally recognized nutritionist with 17+ years of expertise in plant-based nutrition and disease prevention. Certified by Stanford Medicine, Cornell, and Harvard, and a Board Certified Autism Specialist, she has worked alongside Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Neal Barnard, featuring in Dr. Barnard
Katherine Lawrence, founder of FSMI, is a globally recognized nutritionist with 17+ years of expertise in plant-based nutrition and disease prevention. Certified by Stanford Medicine, Cornell, and Harvard, and a Board Certified Autism Specialist, she has worked alongside Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Neal Barnard, featuring in Dr. Barnard’s books.
After reversing her own stage 4 endometriosis through plant-based nutrition, Katherine became dedicated to educating others. She has taught over 30,000 students and built a multi-million-dollar business through her engaging nutrition classes on topics like Sleep, Sex, and Food Addiction.
In 2022, Katherine founded the Food Saved Me Institute, offering a host of online and in-person nutrition education programs along with a Certified Nutrition Instructor program. The program provides turn-key curriculums, teaching tools, and business strategies to help others promote WFPB nutrition while building successful ventures.
Patricia R. Thomson, Ph.D. CEO
Katherine Lawrence President
Katherine Lawrence President
Patricia R. Thomson, Ph.D. (Dr. T), is a certified nutritionist and expert in plant-based nutrition, medicinal plants, and nonprofit management. She is the author of WFPB20 and the Food as Medicine Five Day Lifestyle Plan. Dr. T co-founded major events such as The Best Plant-Based Conference Ever! and the Virtual Food as Medicine Summit
Patricia R. Thomson, Ph.D. (Dr. T), is a certified nutritionist and expert in plant-based nutrition, medicinal plants, and nonprofit management. She is the author of WFPB20 and the Food as Medicine Five Day Lifestyle Plan. Dr. T co-founded major events such as The Best Plant-Based Conference Ever! and the Virtual Food as Medicine Summit which featured dozens of nutrition and wellness experts from around the world.
With over 25 years of nonprofit leadership, Dr. T has raised $100M for various causes and directed impactful events. Her expertise extends to chronic disease prevention and wellness education. She holds a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, with a focus on toxicology.
Brooke Ali Business Development
Brooke, author of Vegan20 and the Food as Medicine Five Day Lifestyle Plan, is a certified nutritionist, vegan chef, and accomplished entrepreneur who reversed her Hashimoto's disease through a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. Her expertise in plant-based nutrition and business development began with intimate cooking parties, which quic
Brooke, author of Vegan20 and the Food as Medicine Five Day Lifestyle Plan, is a certified nutritionist, vegan chef, and accomplished entrepreneur who reversed her Hashimoto's disease through a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. Her expertise in plant-based nutrition and business development began with intimate cooking parties, which quickly grew into a series of cooking classes, restaurant pop-ups, a vegan restaurant, and ultimately, a thriving health and wellness company.
As co-founder of The Best Plant-Based Conference Ever! the Virtual Food as Medicine Summit & EXPO, and the Vegan Business Summit, Brooke has successfully brought her knowledge to a global platform, engaging audiences with her vision for plant-based living. She also co-founded GreenSpark Market, a community collective event that promotes sustainable and vegan businesses, demonstrating her commitment to fostering ethical, eco-conscious enterprises.
Brooke's passion for business growth through plant-based solutions is evident in her ability to translate culinary expertise into impactful ventures. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and wellness, she inspires others by sharing her nutrition-based strategies and business acumen to help elevate the worldwide plant-based movement.
Dana Thornburg Communications
Julia Pesqueda Education
Julia Pesqueda Education
Dana Thornburg brings over 20 years of experience in leading global marketing strategies and is a Certified Holistic Health Coach. Dana helps strengthen the FSMI brand by developing creative solutions to engage both students and nutritionists. Her previous roles include leading global brand strategy teams to help drive growth in multiple
Dana Thornburg brings over 20 years of experience in leading global marketing strategies and is a Certified Holistic Health Coach. Dana helps strengthen the FSMI brand by developing creative solutions to engage both students and nutritionists. Her previous roles include leading global brand strategy teams to help drive growth in multiple markets and expand brand awareness to new consumers. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts & Science from the University of North Texas with fields of study in marketing, public affairs & community service. In 2017, Dana went on to receive her Holistic Health Coach certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. However, her biggest accomplishment is being a mother to her two sons, Easton and Jace, and golden doodle, Lilly. She is excited to support the Food Saved Me Institute family and bring her passion for nutrition and marketing led lead-generation strategies to truly help make a difference in local communities.
Julia Pesqueda Education
Julia Pesqueda Education
Julia Pesqueda Education
A Texas native, born and raised in Keller, Julia graduated from The University of North Texas with a Bachelors in Biology, Business and Communication with a Marketing minor. She is also certified in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University and is a Certified Nutrition Instructor from the Food Saved Me Institute. Most recently, she ha
A Texas native, born and raised in Keller, Julia graduated from The University of North Texas with a Bachelors in Biology, Business and Communication with a Marketing minor. She is also certified in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University and is a Certified Nutrition Instructor from the Food Saved Me Institute. Most recently, she has completed her Art Therapy Certification. An awarded sales professional and entrepreneur, Julia loves being involved in her community and was the 2024 Leadership Grapevine Class Valedictorian, Grapevine Chamber Rising Star Award Nominee, serves on the Grapefest & Main Street Fest Steering Committees, and was awarded Volunteer of the Year by Grapevine’s Mayor Tate. Her passion for serving others and talent for creativity helps to expand FSMI’s empowering and educational nutrition and wellness programs.
Julia DaSilva Marketing Intern
Julia Pesqueda Education
Julia DaSilva Marketing Intern
Julia is a senior in high school who wants to major in nutritional science this next fall! She loves to cook, crochet, volunteer, and hang out with friends. She has been a member of student council for the last two years, and has gained some skills in graphic design over that time. She is excited to bring those skills to FSMI to help prom
Julia is a senior in high school who wants to major in nutritional science this next fall! She loves to cook, crochet, volunteer, and hang out with friends. She has been a member of student council for the last two years, and has gained some skills in graphic design over that time. She is excited to bring those skills to FSMI to help promote its mission of sharing nutrition information to improve health and wellness.
Board of Directors
Clif Palmberg
Clif Palmberg
Clif Palmberg
Clif Palmberg is a seasoned small business owner with a background in technology. Residing in Ft. Worth, Texas, he’s owned multiple small businesses and has well-practiced entrepreneurial acumen. His leadership skills have been honed working in technology for companies including Capital One and other enterprise-level organizations.
Palmbe
Clif Palmberg is a seasoned small business owner with a background in technology. Residing in Ft. Worth, Texas, he’s owned multiple small businesses and has well-practiced entrepreneurial acumen. His leadership skills have been honed working in technology for companies including Capital One and other enterprise-level organizations.
Palmberg is a graduate from Kansas State University with a degree in print journalism and minor in computer science. He also has executive leadership training through Harvard School of Continuing Education and multiple technology certifications.
Rachel Brown
Clif Palmberg
Clif Palmberg
Rachel Brown currently serves as a Board Member for FSMI. She has over 20 years of experience in multi-billion-dollar Programs and Operations leadership. Despite working for a large Fortune 500 company, she is passionate about Strategy and Entrepreneurship as well as nutrition, which has brought her to FSMI. Her experience and leadershi
Rachel Brown currently serves as a Board Member for FSMI. She has over 20 years of experience in multi-billion-dollar Programs and Operations leadership. Despite working for a large Fortune 500 company, she is passionate about Strategy and Entrepreneurship as well as nutrition, which has brought her to FSMI. Her experience and leadership abilities along with her MBA (Master of Business Administration) have allowed her to provide guidance and stewardship for FSMI. She is dedicated to helping develop ways to scale the Institute to impact and save many lives, especially in many underserved communities.
Medical Advisory Board
Dr. Mehta, DO Helical Health
Dr. Mehta, DO Helical Health
Dr. Mehta, DO Helical Health
Dr. Mehta, a Central Texas native, moved to Fort Worth for medical training and has called it home since 1996. After completing his internal medicine residency, he co-founded a successful practice in 2004, serving the community for over a decade. In 2016, he shifted focus to hospital care, treating the sickest patients. Missing the deep p
Dr. Mehta, a Central Texas native, moved to Fort Worth for medical training and has called it home since 1996. After completing his internal medicine residency, he co-founded a successful practice in 2004, serving the community for over a decade. In 2016, he shifted focus to hospital care, treating the sickest patients. Missing the deep patient relationships from private practice, he founded Helical Health, a practice dedicated to personalized, hassle-free care that emphasizes listening to patients and balancing treatment risks and benefits,options and, most importantly, strengthening the patient-physician relationship.
Dr. Renata Joffe, MD
Dr. Mehta, DO Helical Health
Dr. Mehta, DO Helical Health
Dr. Renata Joffe is a board-certified dermatopathologist with over 15 years of experience. After completing her residency in dermatology and practicing in Copacabana, Brazil, she was invited to work alongside Dr. Bernard Ackerman, a world-renowned dermatopathologist based in New York City. Her interest in identifying and helping solve com
Dr. Renata Joffe is a board-certified dermatopathologist with over 15 years of experience. After completing her residency in dermatology and practicing in Copacabana, Brazil, she was invited to work alongside Dr. Bernard Ackerman, a world-renowned dermatopathologist based in New York City. Her interest in identifying and helping solve complex skin diseases led her to Columbia University, where she completed a residency in Pathology followed by a fellowship and board certification in dermatopathology. Her current areas of interest are skin cancers, inflammatory skin disorders, and infectious diseases.
Dr. Joffe is an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the American Society of Dermatopathology (ASDP), and the International Society of Dermatopathology (ISDP), where she is the current Director of the Free Communications Sessions. Dr. Joffe has published numerous articles including co-authoring The Sun and The Epidemic of Melanoma: Myth on Myth with Dr. Bernard Ackerman.
Dr. Joffe is fluent in Portuguese, English, and Italian. In her spare time, Dr. Joffe enjoys traveling with her family, rock climbing, yoga, volunteering, and lifestyle medicine.
Dr. Alpa Nick, MD, MS
Dr. Mehta, DO Helical Health
Dr. Alpa Nick, MD, MS
Dr. Alpa M. Nick, MD, MS, is a highly accomplished gynecologic oncologist with specialized expertise in treating cancers of the female reproductive system. She is board-certified in both Gynecologic Oncology and Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Nick completed her fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Canc
Dr. Alpa M. Nick, MD, MS, is a highly accomplished gynecologic oncologist with specialized expertise in treating cancers of the female reproductive system. She is board-certified in both Gynecologic Oncology and Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Nick completed her fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where she also earned a Master of Science in Cancer Biology. Her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology was at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she served as Chief Resident.
Dr. Nick’s numerous accolades include being named Living Magazine’s Best Oncologist in Katy & Fulshear in 2024, and she has received prestigious awards like the Horace E. Thompson, M.D., Award for Excellence in Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Trainee Excellence Award at MD Anderson Cancer Center. She is a fellow of The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and an active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Society of Gynecologic Oncology.
With extensive experience as a gynecologic oncologist in both academic and clinical settings, Dr. Nick is committed to providing comprehensive, compassionate care to women battling gynecologic cancers. She has held faculty positions at MD Anderson and served patients in Nashville, TN, from 2016 to 2022.