The Legacy Award recognizes an ANFP member who has been a member for at least 15 years and served three or more years on a national committee/board and attended at least three ANFP regional and/or annual meetings within the last five years.
Deb Dawson, CDM, CFPP built a distinguished career defined by service, leadership, and a deep commitment to advancing the nutrition and foodservice profession. She is a dedicated and long-standing member of ANFP. Her leadership spans nearly every level of the organization including chapter roles such as Treasurer, Secretary, Chair, and Spokesperson, as well as national positions including Director at Large, Treasurer, and National Chair from 2003–2004. She has also served as the CDBM and Foundation Chair, and coordinates projects for Past Chairs, helping shape the organization’s strategic direction and strengthen leadership continuity.
Beyond her formal leadership roles, Deb is widely respected as a mentor, educator, and advocate for professional excellence. She has taught CDM, CFPP exam preparation classes, served as a preceptor for students in dietary management programs, and consistently invested in developing future leaders in the field. Her efforts have strengthened workforce readiness, supported credentialing, and elevated the visibility of the CDM, CFPP credential across the profession.
Her influence extends well beyond the workplace. She is deeply committed to her community, teaching food safety, mentoring students, supporting church events, and encouraging youth education through music and food safety initiatives. She is known for her warmth, integrity, and ability to make others feel welcome, and leads with humility and purpose. Her career reflects not only remarkable achievements, but also a sustained dedication to serving others and strengthening the profession she has helped to shape, making her a truly deserving recipient of the Legacy Award.
