Up and Coming Faith Leaders l Most Inspiring Faith Leaders l Most Inspiring of the Month

The Nominees are...

There are so many people who strive to share their faith and impact the world. Beliefnet is honoring 10 inspiring up and coming faith leaders who are making a difference. From a pastor who lived on a roof to raise money so that others could live safely to a Tibetan Buddhist nun who established a Buddhist monastic community on the West coast, these people are paving the path so that we can all live out our faiths. These prolific leaders stand by their faith and use modern techniques so that their words are approachable yet inspirational.

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Dr. Ingrid Mattson

Ingrid Mattson was raised as a Catholic, yet abandoned her faith when she was a teenager. Later, during her senior year in college, she converted to the Islamic faith. She served as the vice president of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) from 2001 to 2011. Not only was she the first woman president, but she was also the first convert to lead the ISNA. She served as an advisory board member for the Pew Research Center from 2006 to 2007 and delivered a prayer at the National Prayer Service during President Obama’s inauguration. Currently, Dr. Mattison is the director of the MacDonald Center for Islamic studies and Christian-Muslim relations at Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut. She founded the program and continues to teach Islamic studies at the school as well.