Rev. Ruth Giraldo-Mangual serves as an Associate Regional Pastor, where she dedicates herself to supporting churches and leaders through her leadership of the Sacred Safe Space ministry. This important initiative raises awareness, provides resources, and offers training to help church leaders address domestic violence within their congregations. With a strong passion for prayer and a commitment to transforming lives through God, Ruth also facilitates ABCNJ's monthly regional prayer gatherings, promoting spiritual connection and growth. Additionally, Ruth works on developing spiritual formation experiences that nurture the faith and discipleship of ABCNJ members, helping them deepen their relationships with God and with one another. Ruth is a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, where she earned her Master of Divinity, along with certificates in Theology, Women, and Gender, and in Spiritual Direction. During her seminary journey, she was chosen for a highly competitive fellowship with Sacred Sector through the Center for Public Justice. While at Princeton, she served on the Advisory Committee on Institutional Diversity. Ruth also worked as a Field Education Intern at a multicultural church in Plainfield. Her ministry experience began in Brooklyn, NY, where she held multiple roles in a multicultural, multilingual, and multiethnic church.  Before entering Princeton Theological Seminary, Ruth worked as an Assistant Property Manager for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, an Adjunct Professor at Monroe College and Suffolk Community College, a Pastry Instructor, and an Executive Pastry Chef in NYC. She used her knowledge of Pastry Arts while working for Restore NYC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting human trafficking, as an Economic Empowerment Manager and Safe Home Coordinator, serving women survivors of labor and sex trafficking. Ruth is a chef with a passion for empowering women and girls, especially those on the margins of society. Ruth states, "Everyone has the right to know they are loved, embraced, seen, and not forgotten. As ABCNJ's Associate Regional Pastor and in collaboration with the ABCNJ team, our goal is to effectively equip and educate our churches to come alongside individuals who have experienced domestic and sexual violence and let them know they are loved and not forgotten.” Ruth is the owner and Executive Chef of Azuca Patisserie. Her mission is to "Feed both the body and soul," offering a chance for holistic transformation while feeding 5,000 people and beyond. Ruth is a mother, wife, pastor, spiritual director, chef, and prophetic voice advocating for the establishment of beloved communities that embrace God’s unfailing love, respect, diversity, truth, and justice for all of creation.