Penny Small, Nestlé Corporate Nutritionist
Penny started her career with Nestlé Consumer Services in 1983, where part of her role was talking to customers. Next was a move to technical services. Her passion at that time, for ensuring Nestlé products were nutritionally sound, is something that has not faded. In the early 90’s Penny undertook a sea change and moved to Mudgee, a Central West NSW town where she had the opportunity to work in clinical dietetics, giving her a practical perspective on community nutrition and the problems of chronic health that is affecting many Australians.
As a result of this work, Penny developed an interest in evidence-based practice and returned to complete a Masters on the role of exercise in weight loss. This won her a research bursary and then a PhD opportunity to work with well-known author and professor, Jennie Brand Miller, on lowering the GI (glucose index, or blood glucose response) of processed cereal products.
It is her up-to-date research credentials, her hands-on clinical experience along with her infectious personal passion for holistic health and well-being that makes Penny ideal for this role and that has brought her a full circle back to Nestlé as the new corporate dietitian.