Ingrid has done boots on the ground justice work for the last twenty-five years. Beginning her career working for Habitat for Humanity through AmeriCorps, Ingrid’s career has been rooted in dignified care for all.
Earning her Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies at the University of Evansville, she learned the transformational and uplifting power of words. She has since honed that skill as a public speaker, preacher, grassroots organizer, and heartfelt advocate. Following her graduation from the University of Evansville, Ingrid attended the Wesley Theological Seminary.
The daughter of a United Methodist pastor, Ingrid grew up in the church. Through her lifelong commitment to the church, she has seen firsthand the transformative power of Beloved Community and has made it her mission to intentionally and proactively expand God’s love to all.
As a native Nashvillian, Ingrid is deeply rooted in the Nashville community. Following the May 2010 flood, Ingrid left her position at GBHEM to advocate for the marginalized Nashvillians affected most by the disaster.
In June 2011, Ingrid co-founded Open Table Nashville as an interfaith homeless outreach nonprofit, which disrupts cycles of poverty, journeys with the marginalized, and advocates through education. Ingrid served as Executive Director for just under a decade, organizing and supporting hundreds of friends living on the streets in tackling cycles of poverty and transitioning into permanent housing solutions.
Throughout her decade of radical justice work with Open Table Nashville, Ingrid developed deep relationships with persons experiencing homelessness across the city, advocating with them for their rights, obtaining supportive services and resources for sustained care, and officiating weddings and their funerals. Practicing ministry in relationships which celebrate and affirm those most impacted as innately whole, beloved human beings, and which center them as the experts of the ministry, called her further into addressing the gaping holes in the continuum of care.
In her next step in a lifelong commitment to advocating for permanent housing for those deprived of it by gentrification and greed rather than genuine community restoration, Ingrid visioned and led years of community and congregational collaborations and partnerships to bring to life The Village at Glencliff. The Village provides a dignified, loving, and hospitable medical respite and bridge housing for the most vulnerable friends experiencing homelessness in Nashville. The hope is to meet each individual’s most basic needs so that they are empowered to focus on healing and permanent supportive housing.
Ingrid presently serves as a Pastor in the The Tennessee Western Kentucky United Methodist Conference. She is on staff at both Belmont United Methodist Church and the Lead Pastor at Glencliff United Methodist Church, leading communities in living the Gospel in “Risky Discipleship,” or a faith of courage and action.
