Meet the dietitians

Shannon Leininger, MEd, RDN, LD, CDCES, CHES

Shannon grew up outside of Kansas City, MO and attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she earned her B.S. in Nutrition and Fitness. After graduating, she moved to Las Vegas to earn a Masters Degree in Health Promotion. During this time, she realized she had a real passion for nutrition and learning more about how it can be used to help prevent and treat diseases, and most of all, improve quality of life.  Shannon went back to school to earn her degree in Nutrition Sciences and since then has worked as a Registered Dietitian in a variety of settings and with a variety of age groups, ranging from preschoolers to seniors.  Shannon has worked in public health, corporate wellness, and most recently in private practice. Shannon is also a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist and a Certified Health Education Specialist and is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and American Association of Diabetes Educators. In addition, she earned a Certificate of Training in Obesity Interventions in 2018. She has given numerous health seminars and led programs on topics such as men’s and women’s health, stress management, tobacco cessation, diabetes, and weight management to a wide range of audience sizes.  

Shannon truly feels that it’s what you’re doing “most of the time” that matters, and welcomes the opportunity to help you improve your quality of life and feel better.  As a dietitian, naturally Shannon recognizes the importance of nutrition, but also takes into account the impact that other factors, such as physical activity and stress, have on your health.  There are many factors that go into deciding the types of foods you eat, and Shannon can help you navigate through any barriers and decide which eating plan is the best for you. Sometimes people know “what” to eat, but may need help figuring out how that fits into their life. In addition, Shannon can help you work on changing your behaviors by exploring some of your triggers for eating, which is key to long-term success. Whether your goal is to manage a disease, prevent a disease, or simply “LiveWell,” Shannon can help! 

Preya Patel, MBA, RDN, LD

Preya was born and raised in Northern California. She attended Cal Poly Pomona and earned her B.S. in Food and Nutrition with a concentration in Dietetics. Thereafter, she pursued her Masters in Business Administration at Dominican University in the greater Chicago area. Preya initially worked in a clinical setting covering the pediatric and neonatal intensive care units as well as adult ICU step down units. When she is not working and helping patients, she loves travelling, exploring new coffee shops and restaurants, and baking.

Preya knew she wanted to become a dietitian starting in high school. Preya grew up vegetarian and continues to be to this day. She is well-versed with the plant-based world. As a dietitian, she believes that there is no cookie cutter diet, and that nutrition involves a lifestyle change. Preya can help you maintain a lifestyle that fits your day to day life with the use of science and nutrition. 

Sierra Kuno, RDN, LD

Sierra grew up in Wyoming where she competed in various sports. As a competitive soccer athlete in college, she learned the importance of how proper nutrition can contribute to her overall health and athletic performance. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas offered a great nutrition program and the warmer climate and big city opportunities drew her to Las Vegas. Sierra moved to Las Vegas in 2015 and earned her bachelor’s degree in Nutrition Sciences and became a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. After graduating from UNLV, she gained further experience at a non-profit organization providing nutrition education and cooking lessons to various populations in the Las Vegas Valley.

Sierra has a diverse background in health and nutrition. Her experiences have led to a strong belief that health and wellness have a huge impact on one’s quality of life. She feels that every person has the opportunity to optimize their own health while enhancing personal confidence. She loves interacting with clients and making them feel comfortable while meeting their needs. She wants to impact other people’s lives by promoting health/wellness and longevity through positive changes.

Nancy Zheng, MS, RDN, LD

Nancy was born and raised in Northern California and moved to Las Vegas in 2019. Nancy completed her Bachelor of Science in Clinical Nutrition at the University of California, Davis. She went on to complete a Master of Science in Nutrition Sciences and her Dietetic Internship at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. 

Nancy currently serves as the Secretary & Newsletter Editor for the Nevada Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (NvAND) and enjoys giving back to the Nutrition and Dietetics community. In her spare time, you can find Nancy climbing mountains, reading the next great novel, planning her next great adventure in her bullet journal, running trails in the desert, or trying new eats at a local restaurant! Nancy’s passions have demonstrated to her how nutrition and an active lifestyle not only improves the longevity of a person’s life but also the quality of it.

People are unique in their biology, genetics, health status, culture, lifestyles, etc. so it makes sense that nutrition needs and care vary greatly. Nancy believes in a personalized approach to nutrition counseling and nutrition care and the application of evidence-based research to clinical practice. People have different relationships with food and different goals in their relationship to food. As a rock climber and long-distance runner, Nancy understands how food acts as fuel for better performance, and as a dietitian, she understands how improving eating habits can help prevent and manage disease, and as a foodie, she understands how food should, above all else, be enjoyed.

Shaily Harris, RDN, LD

Shaily was born and raised in Las Vegas but spent a year living on the east coast where she developed a love for colonial esthetic and small town living. Shaily completed her Bachelor of Biological Science with a pre-professional focus at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She went on to complete a second Bachelor’s of Science in Nutrition Sciences and her Dietetic Internship also at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. 

Shaily has an intense passion for educating adults, families, and children on healthy lifestyle and disease prevention. She spent more than 5 years of her career specializing in pediatric dietetics, with additional experience in adult cardiac and diabetes management. She is a passionate, easygoing, yet energetic dietitian who is motivated to help you live your highest quality of life. She believes there is no “One Size Fits All” model, all individuals are unique, and therefore require the expertise of a Registered Dietitian to tailor an individualized, nutrition science-based care plan to achieve the most desirable health outcomes. 

Shaily spends most of her free time with family, at the park or at home enjoying family game night. As she used to have a small meal prep business, she loves cooking and of course meal planning for a variety of dietary needs such as, gluten free, dairy free, heart healthy and vegan.