Meet the Ignite Nutrition Team Dietitians & Psychologist!

Hi there, I’m Marlee! I'm Ignite's Dietitian Team Lead.

I studied at St. Francis Xavier in my home province of Nova Scotia. I have a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Human Nutrition with a specialization in dietetics and have been practicing since 2015. I am registered with the College of Dietitians of Alberta and the College of Dietitians of Ontario.

I help people by understanding their story first and foremost. I want to get to know you, and REALLY understand what brought you here. From there, we will work together to create a plan that fits your needs and actually works within your lifestyle as well.

My passion as a dietitian is working with patients who have unique and complex health concerns, particularly digestive disorders. When something feels SO BIG, it can feel impossible to manage, but that’s why I love my job so much – it’s exciting to see my patients thrive with small steps toward their big goals. By breaking down your plan into actionable steps, it will feel so much less daunting and so much more attainable.

I specialize in:

• IBS & SIBO
• Complex functional gut disorders - trust me, I've seen it ALL
• Digestive disorders (EoE, celiac, GERD, IBD, and more!)
• Unusual allergies and intolerances like histamine intolerance and food chemical intolerances
• Fatty liver disease & NASH
• PCOS and women’s health – I’ve even written a PCOS cookbook!
• Nutrition for disease prevention and management
• Intuitive eating & food relationship
• Meal prep and planning (the ‘practical stuff’)
• Oncology and cancer survivorship
• Nutrition to help ease migraines

I'm a realist and I live by the philosophy that food should be simple, nutritious, and easy to prepare. Let's connect and start your journey towards a healthy, sustainable life!

To book with Marlee, create an appointment or call 403-808-2348

Hi! I’m Andrea! I trained at Acadia University in Nova Scotia and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics and have been practicing since 2015 and am registered with the College of Dietitians of Alberta. I am a certified intuitive eating counsellor which I incorporate into my nutrition counselling! Fun fact: I am also a Registered Yoga Teacher!

I believe food is the webbing to life itself, just like the air that we breathe. I help people end chronic dieting, find the joy in eating again, and clear out the food and body concerns in their minds so that they can focus on what truly matters. I am passionate about supporting people with disordered eating and digestive concerns as I have struggled with these things myself!

My approach is rooted in the principles of Health At Every Size® and self-compassion, meaning we put weight concerns on the back-burner while focusing on health-improving behaviours and holistic self-care. Your story is unique and what guides our time together. My commitment is to create a game plan that fits your life circumstances so that you feel confident in achieving your nutrition and health goals.

I specialize in:

• Intuitive Eating & food relationship
• Disordered eating/eating disorders
• Body image coaching
• PCOS
• Women's Health
• IBS
• GERD/reflux/heart burn
• Digestive disorders like IBD, EoE, microscopic colitis, diverticulitis, and more!
• Unusual allergies and intolerances like histamine intolerance and food chemical intolerances
• Meal prep & planning
• Vegetarian and vegan diets

I also offer a specialized program - 'Nourished Freedom Food Relationship Intensive' for those looking to do deep work on the relationship with food and their bodies.

I want you to leave our appointments feeling empowered in your health and excited to implement practical strategies that fit YOU! I look forward to working with you!

To book with Andrea, create an appointment or call 403-808-2348

Hi! I’m Ashley!

I have a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Human Nutritional Sciences from the University of Manitoba, and completed my internship through the Moncton Hospital Graduate Dietetic Internship Program. I am registered with the College of Dietitians of Alberta, the College of Dietitians of British Columbia and the Saskatchewan Dietitians Association and can see patients across Canada, except in Ontario, PEI, and Quebec. I work with babies, children, teens, and adults!

I help people make meaningful and sustainable changes towards their health goals, with a plan that fits. In my experience, individuals think working with a dietitian means stress around big changes, an overhaul of their food choices, or a super restrictive diet… that’s not me! I want to hear your story, support you with every step along the way, and remove the uncertainty around food and nutrition. Then we can build on what is working and troubleshoot what isn’t. I want you to feel confident to reach your own personalized nutrition and health goals.

The same goes for my pediatric patients, I understand that food and nutrition can have even more pressure and concern for you as a caregiver. My approach is to not only provide nutrition care but compassion to the individuals I am working with, helping you to feel confident to reach your little one's nutrition and health needs.

For Pediatrics, I specialize in:

• Constipation & Encopresis

• Digestive Disorders like IBS, IBD, EoE, GERD / Reflux

• Feeding families

• Fuelling kids & teens for sport

• Transition to solids

• Picky eating

For Adults, I specialize in:

• IBS & other functional digestive disorders
• Digestive disorders like Microscopic Colitis, Diverticulitis, Bile Acid Diarrhea, Gastroparesis, SIBO, EoE
• Constipation & Diarrhea
• GERD / Reflux / Heartburn
• Fueling the Gut Microbiome
• Nutrition for a healthy life and/or chronic disease management
• Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and other liver diseases
• PCOS and Women's Health
• Hypodthyroidism & Hashimotos
• Oncology and Cancer Survivorship
• Planning for Pregnancy & Nutrition in/post Pregnancy
• Vegetarian / Vegan Diets
• Intuitive Eating & Food Relationship
• Meal Prep & Planning

I am passionate about nutrition and its role in helping you live a happy healthy life. I am a firm believer that all food fits and food should never be confusing or associated with guilt. I want to work together to help you navigate through all the nutrition information (and misinformation) to remove the stress out of food and nutrition.

Let’s work together to help you feel empowered with a plan that fits YOU. I look forward to connecting with you!

To book with Ashley, create an appointment or call 403-808-2348

Hi! I’m Jen. I completed my Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science at the University of Alberta with a specialization in dietetics and have been registered with the College of Dietitians of Alberta since 2011. I am currently completing my master’s degree in counselling psychology from Yorkville University.

I help people reconnect with their love of food and let go of diets, food rules, and guilt. After working as a dietitian for over ten years, I’ve come to see our relationship with food and our body as deeply interconnected to our past, culture, and belief systems. I work with individuals to uncover their unique stories and create a healthy relationship with food and their bodies.

I specialize in:

• Intuitive Eating & food relationship
• Body image coaching
• Disordered eating and eating disorders
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome, amenorrhea, or other hormonal concerns, including menopause
• Gut health and digestive disorders including IBS, IBD, EoE

I want my clients to walk away from each session feeling in charge of their bodies and excited to work towards their definition of wellbeing.

To book with Jen, create an appointment or call 403-808-2348

Hi!  I’m Katie!  I completed my Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Nutrition and Food Science, with a specialization in dietetics, at the University of Alberta.  I am registered with the College of Dietitians of Alberta and the College of Dietitians of British Columbia.  I have worked in a wide variety of areas since 2007.Digestive health has always been an interest of mine. I personally have struggled with IBS and diverticular disease, and can empathize with the challenges involved in navigating digestive conditions. 
In an effort to better support my amazing patients, I have completed FODMAP training through Monash University in Australia for dietitians.

I am a lover of all things food and have always wanted to share that with others.  I love cooking, trying new recipes, and exploring the joy nutrition brings to our bodies and soul.

My approach to counselling is centered in a ‘Healthy at Every Size’ model, which means we take the focus off of weight and work at improving your health with behaviours that speak to you.

I strive to support my clients with up-to-date evidence, translating the science of nutrition in a simple and approachable way.

It is very important that my clients feel compassionately supported through their health and nutrition journey. It is my goal to have my clients feel empowered and excited to go forward with a sense of confidence.

I look forward to working with you! I specialize in:

• Digestive disorders (IBS, IBD, celiac disease, GERD, diverticular disease and more!)
• Unusual allergies and intolerances like histamine intolerance and food chemical intolerances
• Intuitive eating & food relationship
• Fatty liver disease, NASH, cirrhosis
• Women’s health
• Chronic disease and general nutrition

To book with Katie, create an appointment or call 403-808-2348

Why hello there! My name is Mikala! I went to the University of Alberta and have been registered with the College of Dietitians of Alberta since 2017.

I always knew that I had a deep love for food but I actually fell into nutrition in university by accident. I realized I could make a career out of talking about food and I feel so lucky to live my dream every day. As someone with rheumatoid arthritis, I never understood the impact that nutrition could play in inflammation until I became a dietitian. I learned that by changing some of my food choices, I could decrease some of the inflammation in my knee.

I help people to break down diet culture one step at a time and also love helping people to improve their digestion. I’ve worked all over Alberta in different communities and had the chance to work with individuals across the lifespan (from newborns to those into their 100s). 

I’m a glass half full kind of gal and love looking at the positives. My patients often describe me as their own personal cheerleader, helping them through nutrition and lifestyle change, one step at a time and always say how approachable my counselling is! It's all about making you feel comfortable and confident in the personalized plan I create for you.

I specialize in:

• IBS
• GERD/reflux/heart burn
• Digestive disorders like IBD, diverticulitis, celiac, EoE, and more
• Vegetarian and vegan diets
• Diabetes
• Heart disease (High cholesterol, hypertension)
• Cooking on a budget
• Fatty Liver Disease
• Picky Eating

I come with a ton of experience in a variety of different areas so chances are, if you have it, I've seen it before in my career! I look forward to the chance to get to share my passion and love for food with you!

To book with Mikala, create an appointment or call 403-808-2348

Hi! I’m Kirsten White, A Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists.

My approach to therapy is client-centred and holistic. I use my knowledge of neurobiology and attachment to help my clients overcome phobias, learn valuable stress management skills, and overall empower clients to have a strong awareness of their own mind and body. I meet my clients where they are at and together strengthen awareness of old patterns that no longer serve us and create new ones.  Ideally we work towards creating a healthy balance with our body, mind, and environment.

I have specialized training in therapies such as; EMDR, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Motivational Interviewing, Art Therapy and I utilize mindfulness based therapies, CBT, and behavioural therapies.

To book with Kirsten, create an appointment or call 403-808-2348

Kyla is our office manager and has been with us since 2018. She trained at SAIT in Calgary and has a diploma in Business Administration. She is the backbone of the business and helps to make sure our patients are well taken care of.

If you have questions about:

• Booking
• Billing
• Media & speaking engagements

Or any other additional inquiries - she’s the girl to ask!

To book with Kyla, create an appointment or call 403-808-2348

***I am not accepting new patients - but don't panic, you're in good hands! All of our dietitians are highly skilled in digestive disorders and are supervised & supported by me!***

Hi! I'm Andrea!  I trained at the University of Alberta alongside Jen. I have a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Nutrition and Food Science with a specialization in dietetics. and have been practicing since 2011 and am registered with the College of Dietitians of Alberta. I'm recognized as one of Canada's top gut health dietitians, and have spoken internationally about all things digestive health related. Prior to starting a private practice I did the majority of my work in oncology and liver disease, publishing 2 research studies here and here with my team!

I specialize in IBS, because I HAVE IBS!  I get what it's like to have my quality of life impacted by a poorly understood disease. I want to help others in the most evidence-based, practical way possible. I have completed FODMAP training through Monash University in Australia - and personally have trained all my staff on our 4 Pillar Approach™️ (where the FODMAP diet may be used if appropriate).

I specialize in:

• IBS
• Digestive disorders
• Fatty liver disease, NASH, and cirrhosis
• Intuitive eating & food relationship
• Unusual allergies and intolerances (sulphites, biogenic amines, histamine & others)

My ultimate goal is to have patients walk away from our appointments feeling confident in their health, becoming more comfortable around food, and trusting their bodies. Let’s work together to meet your nutrition goals today!

All of our staff are highly skilled and extensively trained in complex digestive disorders and women's health (they just don't do as much social media as Andrea which is why you might see them less in the public eye!). Marlee is our other dietitian trained in food allergy/intolerance/sensitivity diets, Jen & Andrea C are our highly skilled in disordered eating and food relationship, and Ashley & Sarah are our experts in liver disease, healthy eating and living.

To book with Andrea, create an appointment or call 403-808-2348