About Us

The Shirvan Family Live Well Center is dedicated to helping our community members lead their healthiest lives, through education, hands-on classes and workshops.

Our philosophy is simple: small healthy choices every day can lead to big health changes over time. Our programs, hosted onsite at our beautiful space in downtown Englewood, are always free for our community members. Our center has a teaching kitchen and student cooking space as well as an exercise area and quiet space for group discussion and emotional wellness practices.

Meet Our Live Well Team

Our team includes health educators, nutritionists, chefs, social workers, art therapists, and fitness professionals. And because we are part of Englewood Health, we can bring in our healthcare professionals to share their expertise and provide health education and programming.

Instructors

• Professional: Anthony began his career as a backup vocalist and production assistant for Dominican performing artist Milly Quezada, allowing him many opportunities to travel abroad and learn about diverse cuisines. He started his first job in the restaurant industry in 2012 and later established his own food service and catering business, alongside his wife in Bergenfield, New Jersey.
• Passion: Cooking, especially diverse cuisines. Anthony still enjoys performing in his spare time, but derives his greatest joy from being in the kitchen preparing food to share with family, friends, customers, and community alike.
• His healthy living routine: “Because of my hypertension issues I have cut back on salt, which meant giving up one of my favorite quick unhealthy snacks which is instant ramen noodles. I’m incorporating drinking more water and remembering to stay hydrated. I also make time to be more active by setting aside time to go for walks in the park with my daughter.”

• Professional and educational background: Julie holds nutrition-related bachelor’s and master’s degrees. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as well as the Nutrition Education for the Public Dietetic Practice Group.
• Passion: Making nutrition both simple and enjoyable. She hopes to bridge the gap between nutrition science and healthy habits, so people can feel good about their food choices. She takes pride in motivating patients and finding ways to introduce good nutrition and education to people looking to make changes.
• Her healthy living routine: “I practice intuitive and mindful eating to keep me feeling healthy, satisfied and fueled from my meals and snacks. I enjoy eating seasonal fruits and vegetables for the best variety, freshness and flavor. Although my kids keep me active, I make sure to find dedicated time for exercise 2-3x per week. Lately, I am loving Pilates and interval training. I tend to work out better in group settings, so these classes help keep me motivated!”

• Professional and educational background: Since completing her master’s in nutrition in 2022 and becoming a registered dietitian, Ivette has been working as an outpatient RD for both the pediatric and adult populations. In her current role, she develops plans and programs towards illustrating the preventive benefits of balanced nutrition.
• Passion: Using her own experiences living with diabetes to relate to patients, helping deliver knowledgeable, culturally competent, and researched-based nutrition education. Her goal is to empower her community with “nutritional intelligence” to live a healthful life with the immediate tools at their disposal.
• Her healthy living routine: “I enjoy finding creative ways to make blood sugar friendly sweet treats. I am constantly adding to my never-ending travel list and often travel once to twice a year. When I’m not baking or traveling, I am seeking out different dance classes as a means of enjoyable movement.”

Guest Presenters and Instructors

In addition to our core team, our programs are led by guest presenters and instructors who bring unique expertise and passion to specific topics.

Program Staff

• Professional and educational background: Mekesha holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Pace University and a master’s degree from Rutgers School of Public Health. She is a member of several national and local community-based service organizations. She brings experience in research, clinical management, program planning, and resource allocation for underserved communities.
• Passion: Value-centered holistic care to address health disparities and improving health equity among the communities she serves.
• Her healthy living routine: “I start my day with high-intensity interval training, followed by a series of dynamic stretches to make sure I complete my physical activity without unforeseeable daily interruptions. Following my workout, I consume a protein shake and meal plan for my day in order to prevent me from consuming unhealthy choices while on the go.”

• Professional and educational background: Victoria holds a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing and a minor in digital media production from Mount Saint Mary College. Throughout the years, she excelled as a student-athlete, served in leadership roles for community-based organizations, and earned multiple honors. Victoria possesses a diverse work background in marketing, communications, and event operations within the nonprofit and med-tech sectors.
• Passion: Victoria is dedicated to advancing health equity, cultural competency, financial literacy, and career development within her community. She enjoys celebrating diverse cultures, enhancing health and wellness opportunities, and empowering college students with scholarship information and early career guidance. Victoria’s mission is to ensure everyone in her community has the tools and opportunities to succeed.
• Her healthy living routine: “My healthy living routine varies daily. On some days, I wake up early, hit the gym, prepare a nutritious breakfast, and grab a coffee. Other days, I prioritize rest and sleep in to give my body the recovery it needs. Since graduating college, I’ve been making a conscious effort to unplug from technology and immerse myself in nature, appreciating the sights, smells, and sounds around me.”

• Professional and educational background: Genesis holds a bachelor’s degree in communication and media studies from the University of San Diego and a general studies associate’s degree from Bergen Community College. Genesis spent many years serving local communities around her in a multitude of ways: including leading a research-based community service project, organizing health awareness and prevention programs, contributing to fundraising concerts, and supporting several community organizations.
• Passion: Genesis is a strong believer that any task can become a creative project–nothing is too mundane for her! Hobbies include singing, painting, and getting involved in her community. She is a trained vocalist; having performed many jazz tunes, arias, and Gospel songs across New Jersey, New York, and California. She likes to dedicate her free time on graphic and interior design projects. She also loves to coordinate special events for her friends and family!
• Her healthy living routine: “Above most things, I try to make sure that I treasure my own happiness. I usually practice this by managing my time and making sure I have pockets of time within my day where I have done something I was looking forward to. I celebrate even the most miniscule moments, such as my morning coffee or my favorite episode of a TV show. Alongside prioritizing my own happiness, I also take care of my physical health by eating healthy foods and working out at least three times a week. I try to turn most things into a creative project, so I often spend time doing research and creating my own workout programs.”

• Professional and educational background: Angela graduated from Franklin and Marshall College with a bachelor’s in public health, concentrating in biology, and a minor in Middle Eastern studies. She has gained hands-on experience in clinical trials and community/global health research, notably with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Angela has dedicated herself to working with many undeserved communities, particularly refugees, asylum-seekers, and other migrants.
• Passion: Transforming health systems to be advanced, yet inclusive and equitable for all communities. Everyone should have equal access and opportunities to make informed choices about their health!
• Her healthy living routine: “Stress management is a priority to me, especially while I was a college student, so I really try to make time to decompress. I enjoy cooking meals for myself and my friends and sharing them on my cooking blog, focusing on using clean ingredients (organic, no additives/preservatives, etc.). I also set time aside every week to play volleyball to stay active!”