Influential Women spotlights Marion Elder's school nutrition leadership

Influential Women is highlighting Marion Elder, the Director of School Nutrition for Dinwiddie County Public Schools in Virginia, for more than 31 years of leadership in child nutrition, USDA compliance and team development. The profile underscores how school meal programs affect student health and learning while recognizing Elder’s awards, credentials and statewide role in the field.

Why it matters: - School nutrition programs affect student health, attendance and academic performance. - Leaders like Marion Elder oversee meals, budgets, food safety and compliance for thousands of students each day. - Dinwiddie County Public Schools relies on that work to keep meal programs running across the division.

What happened: - Influential Women published a profile celebrating Marion Elder, Director of School Nutrition for Dinwiddie County Public Schools. - The profile highlights Elder’s more than 31 years of experience in child nutrition program leadership, USDA compliance and staff development. - Elder oversees school meal programs that serve thousands of students across Dinwiddie County Public Schools. - The profile says Elder has earned four major honors, including the 2025 School Meals Renegade Award from the Chef Ann Foundation. - More information is available through Marion Elder's Influential Women profile.

The details: - Elder spent 27 years with Brunswick County Public Schools, advancing from administrative assistant to Child Nutrition Supervisor. - She became Director of School Nutrition for Dinwiddie County Public Schools four years ago. - Her work includes menu planning, financial management, USDA regulatory compliance, food safety and program administration. - Her specialties include school nutrition program leadership, school food service operations, child nutrition program administration, USDA school meal compliance, team leadership, staff development, strategic leadership, organizational management, nutrition policy implementation, budget management and professional development. - Elder earned a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. - She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Virginia University of Lynchburg. - She earned an Associate of Science in Business Administration and Clerical Studies from Southside Virginia Community College. - Elder holds School Nutrition Association Level 4 Certification and ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification. - She is also a certified ServSafe Instructor and ServSafe Proctor through the National Restaurant Association. - She serves as President-Elect of the School Nutrition Association of Virginia. - She is a member of the School Nutrition Association and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. - Her honors also include the School Meals Hero Award, the Virginia School Boards Association Food for Thought Award, the Lunch Trailblazer Award from Action for Healthy Kids and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and DCPS “20 to Watch” recognition. - Elder serves on the advisory board for SNAP IN SCHOOLS with the Virginia Department of Social Services.

Between the lines: - The profile frames school nutrition as both a public health function and an academic support system. - Elder’s career path shows how school nutrition leadership often grows from hands-on operations experience. - Her comments on balancing USDA requirements, food costs, staffing shortages and limited budgets point to mounting pressure on school meal programs. - The article also presents Elder’s faith, family support and mentorship network as central to her leadership style.

What's next: - Elder says continuous learning, certifications, networking and mentorship are key for young women entering school nutrition. - She encourages emerging leaders to seek training and professional organizations rather than waiting for opportunities. - She sees innovation and stronger partnerships as necessary to improve meal quality under tighter regulations and tighter budgets. - Elder continues to lead school nutrition in Dinwiddie County while serving in statewide professional roles.

The bottom line: - Marion Elder’s profile spotlights a school nutrition leader whose work connects student well-being, federal compliance and day-to-day operational leadership.