| Mary Nelson is president emeritus of Bethel New Life, where she served for 26 years. Bethel pioneered in creative community-based efforts to build healthier, sustainable and equitable communities on Chicago's west side. Some of the most notable projects include the adaptive re-use of a closed down inner city hospital, and a smart, green, mixed-use commercial center at a transit stop. She serves on the Boards of Sojourners, Christian Community Development Association, Good City and is past Board president of Woodstock Institute. Mary has her PhD from Union Graduate School and six honorary PhDs, and is now doing consulting, writing and teaching in faith based and or-community development. She is on the faculty of ABCD Institute (Northwestern University), CCDA Institute, is coordinator of Loyola University's Master of Arts in Social Justice and Community Development Degree and serves on the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education (SCUPE). She is the author of the handbook Empowerment published by CCDA (2010), and has authored chapters in a number of books on community development. |
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