Executive Director

VIA’s Executive Director for the past 12 years is Rev. Debbie Ingram, an ordained minister who pastored two successive congregations in California and worked as a freelance communication consultant in Bangladesh for seven years, writing, producing and directing award winning videos for poverty alleviation projects.

Since moving to Vermont, Debbie has served as temporary pastor for numerous United Church of Christ congregations and as the Development Coordinator for the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf.

Debbie is a graduate of Stanford University and Fuller Theological Seminary and completed a fellowship at Cambridge University, England. Debbie also currently serves as a State Senator for the Chittenden District. 

She can be contacted by email at debbie@viavt.org.

Central Vermont Community Organizer

Melissa Battah is VIA's Community Organizer in the Barre-Montpelier area. She has decades of NGO experience focusing on Economic Justice, Housing, Cultural Education and Gender/Ethnic/Racial Equity. Prior to beginning her work with VIA, Melissa mentored middle school girls in Florida; coordinated prayer journeys in Thailand; and provided resource development for a community organizing group in Nazareth, Israel.

Since moving to Vermont, Melissa has served on the Board of the Good Samaritan Haven and as the Barre Community Justice Center's Restorative Justice Coordinator.

Melissa graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University (BA Religion) and SIT Graduate Institute (MA Conflict Transformation and Sustainable Development). Melissa lives in Barre Town with her husband and two children. 

She can be contacted by email at melissa@viavt.org.

Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper

Ann Pearce is VIA's Administrative Assistant and Bookkeeper. 

She can be contacted by email at office@viavt.org.