NENSA is delighted to welcome Ingrid Knowles as Development Director, a new position focused on advancing NENSA’s nonprofit mission and long-term resource development goals.
Originally from Cumberland, Maine, Ingrid has a deep connection to Nordic skiing in New England. She raced on the Eastern Cup circuit in high school before attending Bates College where she continued skiing, captained the lacrosse team, and earned a degree in Geology. After college, she earned an M.Ed. from Vanderbilt University and went on to build a career in independent school education and leadership.
Ingrid has held a range of teaching, mentoring, coaching, and senior leadership roles. Most recently, as Director of Student Affairs at Brooks School, she served on the senior leadership team and worked closely with trustees, faculty, families, and students to advance institutional priorities and strengthen community. Throughout her career, Ingrid has focused on building authentic relationships, bringing people together around a shared mission, and creating opportunities for individuals to feel connected to something larger than themselves.
For Ingrid, joining NENSA is also a return to an organization and community that helped shape her, and a chance to help ensure future generations of New England skiers benefit from the same experiences and sense of connection.
Heidi Lange, Executive Director, couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Ingrid to the NENSA team. “Ingrid brings tremendous spirit and drive, a collaborative leadership style, a deep passion for NENSA, and an exceptional ability to connect with others and inspire engagement in a shared mission. Her experience in community building and organizational leadership, combined with her lifelong connection to Nordic skiing, will strengthen our team and help advance NENSA’s mission. I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome her to NENSA!”
NENSA Board President Chris City adds, “I’m excited for Ingrid to join the amazing team at NENSA! I had the opportunity to meet her during the interview process and was impressed by her energy, strong sense of mission, and love of Nordic skiing and the ski community. I’m looking forward to the exciting ideas and contributions I know she’ll bring to NENSA.”
We’re delighted to have Ingrid on board and for the NENSA community to get to know her. We asked her a few questions about her connection to Nordic skiing, what drew her to NENSA, and what she’s most excited about in this new role:
What is your favorite ski memory?
Picking one favorite memory is nearly impossible. When I think about my years in Nordic skiing, some of my fondest memories are actually the simplest ones, long van rides with teammates, endless conversations, and the hours of type two fun that comes from being part of this sport.
Instead of a favorite memory, how about my favorite place? To me, there is nothing more magical than the trails at the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center. That place feels like home. Whether I’m skiing around the bog, along the Carrabassett River, or slogging my way up one of the climbs, there is nothing quite like a fresh corduroy morning at Sugarloaf.
When I’m up there, I usually try to do what my family refers to as the Sugarloaf Triathlon, which consists of touring, alpine, and Nordic skiing all in one day. It’s a pretty ambitious way to spend a day, and it usually makes for a very good night’s sleep! I guess type 2 fun has really followed me into adulthood.
What are your thoughts on joining NENSA?
In many ways, joining NENSA feels like a full circle moment for me. I started Nordic skiing in high school, and it was one of the best things that ever happened to me. Through NENSA, I found a community that quickly became an extension of my family.
Since graduating from college, I’ve had the opportunity to live in different parts of the country, and everywhere I’ve moved, Nordic skiing has connected me with an incredible community of people. I’ve reconnected with old friends from the Eastern Cup circuit and met so many new ones, all connected by a deep love of winter and Nordic skiing.
There is something really special about that community, and I’m excited to be part of a team that helps create those opportunities for others. I’m looking forward to helping more people discover the community, adventure, and joy that come with this wonderful sport and, in my admittedly biased opinion, there’s no better place to do it than New England.
What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming year?
Professionally, I’m most excited to learn. I’m really looking forward to learning from the NENSA team, getting to know the organization, and finding ways to contribute to the work they’re doing.
Personally, I just moved to Vermont with my family, so I’m excited to explore a new place, spend plenty of time outside, and have lots of new adventures. I’m looking forward to seeing where the next year takes us, hopefully with plenty of skiing along the way!
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
After graduating from college, I moved to Texas and took a bit of a break from all things skiing. At the time, I think I was ready for a change and excited to see what life looked like outside of the ski world. But being away from skiing for a while made me realize just how much I missed it, and more importantly, how much I missed the people and community that come with it.
Nordic skiing has brought some of the most meaningful friendships and experiences into my life. It has a funny way of creating community wherever you go. I’ve moved around the country, and every time, skiing has helped me find my people. Some of those people have been longtime friends from the Eastern Cup circuit, and others I’ve met along the way.
Taking a step away from skiing made me appreciate just how special that community is. I feel really lucky to be coming back to New England and to have the opportunity to be part of NENSA. I’m excited to be back in the Nordic world and, hopefully, to help create some of those same friendships and experiences for other people along the way.
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Ingrid and keep an eye out for her at upcoming NENSA programs and events!
The Development Director leads NENSA’s fundraising and development efforts, with a focus on corporate sponsorships, grant funding, fundraising campaigns, donor engagement, and development operations. Working closely with the Executive Director, staff, Board members, and organizational partners, the Development Director will strengthen relationships with sponsors, foundations, grantors, donors, and other supporters while helping build the long-term resources needed to advance NENSA’s mission.
