About the MDR®

The Mediterranean Diet Roundtable® (MDR) is a think-tank designed to inform, inspire and promote the appreciation of ingredients and cuisines distinctive of the Mediterranean region, and to translate the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet into commercial opportunities within the United States.

The Mediterranean Diet has been recognized by UNESCO as a Global Intangible Cultural Heritage (2010), a symbol of a unique synergy between nature and the culinary culture distinctive of the Mediterranean countries. This designation is regarded as a universal value worldwide. The MDR is a healthy, delicious and sustainable choice for the planet, as well as a meaningful way to reduce obesity and other diseases in America.

The MDR is playing a key role in repositioning the Mediterranean Diet as a competitive driving force to shape the offerings in high volume commercial and non-commercial food services, as well as to retailers and restaurants. By attending our programs, you can learn more about the #1 diet in the United States from world-class scholars and insights from leading food industry icons! Gain a deeper understanding of the health values, uses, commercial benefits and market trends from our dynamic, informative and interactive settings.

Meet our founder:

Daniela Puglielli

Daniela Puglielli is the founder of the Mediterranean Diet Roundtable® (www.MDRproject.com) a think tank dedicated to the promotion of healthy products and lifestyle in America and principal of Accent PR, selected by Forbes Magazine as a leading PR agency in the country. With an extensive experience in branding, marketing and international partnerships, Daniela holds a Master’s Degree in Communications from the University of Turin (Turin, Italy) and a Master’s Degree in Performing Arts from the Conservatorio di Musica (Pescara, Italy).

She is also a founding member of Associazione Gamma Donna (Turin, Italy), former Director of the Global Business Roundtable (NYC), former Executive Director of The Center for Italian & Italian-American Culture (NJ), among many other boards. She recently became advisor to Gruppo Italiano, a non-profit nurturing the appreciation of authentic Italian cuisine in America. Among many recognitions, Daniela is the recipient of the Dean Martin Award and the prestigious Zimei Award from Pescara, her hometown in Italy. Daniela holds dual citizenship in both Italy and the U.S. and lives in Boston with her family.

Past Events

Team 2026

Dr. Darius Mozaffarian

Dariush Mozaffarian is a cardiologist, public health scientist, and Director of the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University. He is also Distinguished Professor, Dean Emeritus, and Jean Mayer Professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy; Professor of Medicine at Tufts School of Medicine; and attending physician in the Division of Cardiology at Tufts Medical Center. Dr. Mozaffarian’s overall goal is to create the science and translation for a food system that is nutritious, equitable, and sustainable. He is globally renowned expert in Food is Medicine and has authored more than 600 scientific publications on nutritional priorities for cardiometabolic health and on evidence-based policy approaches and innovations to advance nutrition security, reduce diet related diseases, improve health equity, and reduce healthcare costs in the US and globally. He has served in numerous advisory roles, including on the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, and his work has been featured in an array of media outlets. Thomson Reuters named him as one of the World's Most Influential Scientific Minds.

Dr. Mozaffarian received his B.S. in biological sciences from Stanford University, M.D. from Columbia University, and Doctorate in Public Health from Harvard University; with clinical training in internal medicine at Stanford University and in cardiology at the University of Washington. He is married, has three children, and actively trains as a Fourth Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo.

SPECIAL GUEST:

Kyle Diamantas J.D.

Deputy Commissioner for Food

As the Deputy Commissioner for Food, Mr. Diamantas leads the agency’s Human Foods Program, overseeing all FDA nutrition and food safety activities. In this role, Mr. Diamantas exercises authority over all Human Food Program entities and operations, including resource allocation, risk-prioritization strategy and decision making, policy initiatives, and major response activities involving human foods. Mr. Diamantas also oversees food resources in the agency’s Office of Inspections and Investigations.

As the FDA’s top food executive, Mr. Diamantas sets the strategic direction and operations for food policy in the U.S., while serving as a critical liaison between the agency, Department of Health and Human Services, and The White House. He also represents the agency on food activities and matters in dealings with foreign governments and international organizations.

Mr. Diamantas has extensive experience working with various federal and state agencies and policy makers, scientific organizations, consumer advocacy groups, and industry stakeholders. He has wide-ranging experience on matters spanning regulatory, compliance, investigative, enforcement, rulemaking, and legislation. Mr. Diamantas holds a juris doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and a bachelor’s in pre-law political science from the University of Central Florida.