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Dear VIA Leaders and Friends,
VIA’s long-time Executive Director, Rev. Debbie Ingram, has announced her retirement. Effective June 30, 2024, Debbie will end her 17-year tenure at VIA. Her plans are to enjoy some much-needed rest and relaxation.
The Board and Staff of VIA are sad to see her go and most appreciative of her many accomplishments over almost two decades:
- moving VIA from 7 congregations in Burlington to over 70 congregations in five geographic regions;
- achieving successes in affordable housing and homelessness, health care, education, corrections reform, economic dignity, and racial justice;
- providing leadership development to hundreds of volunteers and numerous staff members
- collaborating with colleagues at the Faith in Action national network
- diversifying and sustaining sources of funding for the organization
- expanding the participation of diverse faith traditions
- serving as an inspiration and motivator for living out our faith in the world
Debbie is leaving the organization in solid condition and will participate actively in the transition to new leadership. Deputy Director Melissa Battah, who has been with the organization for 13 years, will serve as Interim Director during the search process.
“As one of my favorite scripture passages* puts it,” says Debbie, “God says, ‘I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ I am sure that the God whom we know by many names will be right there with the best of intentions for all of us -- myself and VIA collectively -- during this period of change.”
*Jeremiah 29:11
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