Nancy received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and completed her dietetic internship program at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. She received a Master of Science degree in Nutrition Education from ÎÞÂëȺ½» of Medicine and Science (RFUMS). She has been an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) for several decades. She served as the Academy Political Action Committee Chair (2016) and presented to an audience of over 1000 members in the Member Showcase Presentation at the 2016 Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE) in Boston, MA. In addition, she was an Academy National Media Spokesperson for nine years (2015-2024) and has been quoted in national media publications such as Family Circle, Reader’s Digest, Consumer Reports, Self magazine, Food Management magazine, Today’s Dietitian, CBS News, Time Magazine, and U.S. News & World Report, and appeared on radio and TV broadcasts. She has served as the Virginia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (VAND) State Public Policy Representative lobbying for nutrition issues at the state and national levels and as the Virginia affiliate Media Representative. She received the VAND 2022 Outstanding Dietitian of the Year award for her years of service and leadership in nutrition and dietetics in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In 2023, Nancy was the first dietitian to receive the RFUMS College of Health Professions Distinguished Alumnus Award for her contributions to the college, university, and the nutrition profession.

As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Nancy is the owner and CEO of Farrell Dietitian Services, a Medical Nutrition Therapy private practice. She collaborates with local health care providers, counseling individuals on a variety of medical nutrition needs, such as cardiology, eating disorders, food allergies, gastroenterology, gastric bypass surgery, pediatrics, and sports nutrition. She has worked in nutrition community education and the supermarket industry. In 2005, she created the position of and served as, Health Services Wellness Dietitian in a local school division. She is a previous Instructor at the University of Mary Washington, and Germanna Community College both located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. You can follow Nancy on her business website or her various social media sites.

Under the direction of The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), Nancy worked with The Washington Center for Clinical Research on the effects of a low-fat vegan diet in a 10-site nationwide corporate setting. Nancy has made state-level presentations to leaderships including the Virginia School Board Association (VSBA), the Virginia School Board Organization (VSBO), and the Governor’s Healthy Virginians Summit which focused on childhood obesity. Nancy served as the sole nutrition adviser on the 2007 Virginia Department of Education’s Health SOL Review Committee.

Nancy has served on US Congressman Rob Wittman’s Health Advisory Council. In 2008 she was a featured speaker at a round table discussion on Childhood Obesity held by the US Surgeon General Galson. She continues to be involved with local, state, and federal legislators promoting nutrition public policy. She has served as nutrition advisor on former Virginia Governor Tim Kaine’s Health Reform Commission Work Group and served on former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe's Council on Bridging the Nutritional Divide.