Dayle is an award-winning author and educator. Her creativity and common-sense have made her a sought-after speaker across the USA. As a parent and member of the School Nutrition Association she has dedicated decades to making school environments healthy for students and staff. She collected success stories for Making It Happen, a joint CDC-USDA project; co-authored the 2014 Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Nutrition Guidance for Healthy Children Ages 2 to 11 Years; and was the lead author for the 2018 Joint Position (Academy, SNA and Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior) and Practice Papers: Comprehensive Nutrition Programs and Services in Schools.
In recognition of her professional and volunteer leadership, Dayle has received many honors including Montana Dietitian of the Year and an ADA Excellence in Consultation and Business Practice Award. In January 2012, she received the Silver FAME Award as a Friend of Child Nutrition and FoodService Director magazine named her as one of their 20 Most Influential. She was honored with a Medallion Award from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Montana School Food Service Professional of the Year in 2013. Dayle delivered the 2017 Lenna Frances Cooper Lecture of FNCE in Chicago.
Hayes served on the ADA Board of Directors, chairing the Public Initiative Team and Technology Task Force. She is also the past president of the Montana Dietetic Association and past chair of the School Nutrition Services Dietetic Practice Group.