Mary Nelson has spent the last 40 years working in faith-based community development on the west side of Chicago, seeking to carry out the asset based community development principles in concrete ways through her leadership of Bethel New Life, Inc. She is on the national Boards of Sojourners (currently Chair) and Christian Community Development Association. She is also currently the coordinator of the Loyola University (Chicago) Institute of Pastoral Studies Masters in Social Justice and Community Development. Dr. Nelson is also the author of Empowerment.