Redeemer members, below you will find a list of six nominees for this year’s vestry. Take time to read through each profile to get to know your candidates. You are invited to prayerfully consider which two candidates you will vote for in this year’s vestry election. The ballot will open on Sunday, March 9 and close on Sunday, March 16. All voting will take place online. There will be no physical ballots.
Please remember that you are voting for individuals whom you believe will be best suited for carrying out these responsibilities.
Alan Davis
Tell us about yourself.
My wife, Gwen, and I have three children and a Chocolate Lab and live in Ginter Park. Our youngest is in the 10th grade at Veritas, and the older two graduated from Veritas and are attending JMU. I moved to Richmond after graduating from Virginia Tech in 1997. I am a licensed architect with Baskervill where I have been since 2003. I love a good espresso and sharing it over conversation. I find joy in God’s creation whether it’s mountain biking, hiking, taking pictures or travel.
Why do you want to serve on the vestry?
Admittedly, the concept of the Vestry was new to me prior to Redeemer. I understand the Vestry is focused on serving the local Church and candidates should be humble and willing to hear others and work well with others to reach decisions that benefit the Church. I sense that Redeemer is at an exciting place in its growth. I am energized at the idea of co-laboring with and learning from others, in the Vestry and in the congregation, to realize God’s plan to grow His Kingdom using Redeemer.
Morgan Fogleman
Tell us about yourself.
Originally from Alabama, I moved to Richmond with my family from San Francisco in 2018. We’ve since grown our family in the Northside and developed a deep love for the city and the people here. I have a degree in Public Relations from Auburn University and my career began in Atlanta at a nonprofit supporting victims of human trafficking. In 2015, my husband Will and I moved to San Francisco where I worked in operations for an investment firm and a large tech company during its pre-IPO days. Most recently, I was the operations and HR director for a small marketing agency based in Richmond. At Redeemer, I enjoy serving in children's and music ministries and creating floral arrangements for church events. In my free time, I enjoy reading, connecting with friends, and fitting in a few trips.
Why do you want to serve on the vestry?
Since joining Redeemer in 2018, it has become the center of our community and spiritual life. We've been blessed to witness its growth and unwavering dedication to the founding vision. It would be an immense privilege to serve on the Vestry, allowing me to give back to the parish that has given us so much. My diverse experiences and skills give me a unique perspective that I believe will be beneficial to the Vestry. Above all, I am committed to using my talents and abilities to support Redeemer's mission, ensuring it continues to flourish.
Isabelle Huggard
Tell us about yourself.
Originally from New Hampshire, I moved to attend the University of Richmond. Early in my first semester, I was grateful to connect with CCO and Redeemer. It was a gift to find a church community that truly lives life with Jesus. I’ve called Redeemer home for the past 4.5 years, and though, I hadn’t planned on staying in Richmond after graduation, church changed that. I grew to love the city, walk alongside mentors, build relationships with families I cherished, find meaningful places to serve, and embrace a way of life I wanted to continue. All of this made choosing Richmond as my permanent home after graduating in May of 2024 an easy decision. In this new season, I enjoy running in the fan, walking to church, reading in Byrd Park, cooking for friends, hanging out with girls at youth fellowship, and sitting around the table for small group. Redeemer remains a community that grounds me in Richmond.
Why do you want to serve on the vestry?
First, I love this church and I love this city. Redeemer—its people and its vision—is special, and I so enjoy living in such a beautiful, fun place. Secondly, having been involved in many aspects of Redeemer—college ministry, youth fellowship, small group, young adult fellowship, women’s ministry, children’s ministry, justice & mercy partnerships—I can relate to, represent, and think well about a variety of church topics and decisions. Finally, from this place of love and experience I’m excited for the opportunity to humbly consider and pursue what is best for Redeemer’s future, trusting that Jesus holds this church in His hands. It’s an honor to be nominated, and it would be a joy to continue in the good God has created us to be while growing in the areas He is leading.
Kate Kemp
Tell us about yourself.
The first ten years of my and Jason’s marriage were dominated by his active-duty Marine Corps service. After transitioning to the reserves in 2015, civilian life felt confusing. God graciously led us to a community of believers at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Raleigh, NC where we also participated in the New City Fellows program. The Anglican liturgical calendar was grounding. We moved to Richmond in 2021 and joined Redeemer. I’ve been a stay-at-home mom to our children, Adeline, Elias, and Auggie, who attend Veritas. I previously worked as a RN and now work part-time as a Nurse Case Manager at Vantage Point Foundation. I like to think that my friends say I am thorough in my thinking and ask good questions, trustworthy, reliable, and considerate. Traveling, being in nature, good food, beautiful architecture, Masterpiece (Theatre), and singing in the Easter choir are a few things that bring me joy.
Why do you want to serve on the vestry?
Upon first reaction to nomination for the vestry, I questioned my qualifications. However, as scripture reminds us and as I have seen in my own walk, God asks for a willing and committed spirit and He will do the equipping. I believe we must guard and carry out Redeemer’s vision with intention. It has been a privilege to contribute to Redeemer’s vision by leading a small group, serving on the women’s fellowship planning committee, supporting moms through MomCo, and guiding young hearts toward truth in 4th-5th grade Redeemer Kids. These experiences have deepened my connection to our church community and strengthened my faith. I would welcome an opportunity to serve on the vestry and prayerfully and responsibly steward the resources of our church.
Bethany Lansing
Tell us about yourself.
I am a transplant from New England and moved to Richmond in 2014 to marry my husband, Ben. Our life together has been anchored and enriched by commitment to Redeemer since our parish's first week, and we treasure the gift of community and leadership that has aided us through joys and trials over the years. We both have valued many opportunities to serve the church, including as small group leaders, worship team volunteer (Bethany), and deacon (Ben). You’ll find me most weekdays either working remotely over at Common House or else at my home-away-from-home in NYC, where I am Director of Business Development for a natural stone distributor (Please come talk to me about your countertops!); and most weekends hovering over plants or enjoying conversation on our screen porch in the Carytown Stadium neighborhood (Come over and sit with us!).
Why do you want to serve on the vestry?
I had the honor of serving a previous term on our Vestry and appreciated the practical way to serve and steward the church that I love so very much. My prior Vestry experience, as well as my business operations and finance experience, and most importantly my great love for the people of Redeemer have motivated me to accept this vestry nomination. I am passionate about the process of wise and responsible decision-making, and if elected I am eagerly committed to participating in the hard work that I anticipate this term will include, as Redeemer moves toward the purchase of a building and continues to grow in so many other ways as well.
Joe Ruiz
Tell us about yourself.
My wife and I love this parish - the liturgy, worship and hospitality bring us such great joy that we don’t want to miss a single Sunday. I deeply appreciate the 7 Essential Practices and Redeemer’s commitment to living out the gospel. It has been a joy to serve on the Prayer Team, as a Lay Eucharistic Minister, as a Monitor, and as a Small Group Leader. I bring many years of experience serving as a church elder, vestry member, and small group leader/coach. In addition, I have a strategic perspective with skills in meeting facilitation, and creative problem solving. It would be my honor to serve this community that has already given us so much.
Why do you want to serve on the vestry?
I have significant experience as a church elder and 3 years of previous Vestry service, along with professional skills in strategic planning, meeting facilitation, and creative problem-solving. As an Assistant Professor teaching creativity in the business school, I bring an educational perspective to leadership. I have been told some of my spiritual gifts include wisdom, teaching, and prayer. During the years of service there were a couple of significant building projects. If elected to the Vestry, I am particularly passionate about our facility acquisition process, developing prayer strategies for our new space, fostering imagination within our community, and supporting leadership development.
