Ellyn E. Crutcher is an attorney, community builder, artist and spiritual companion. She is a graduate of Assumption High school and Transylvania University and holds a law degree from the University of Kentucky. She also holds a master’s degree in business administration from Xavier University. Crutcher represented the Kentucky Public Service Commission for nine years, and spent the next 15 years as general counsel to Consolidated Communications, Inc., where she advised a dozen telecommunications enterprises.

Crutcher has been an active participant in the annual Festival of Faiths; is a graduate of the JustFaith program and has engaged in U.S. State Department-supported peace consultations in India and Bangladesh. She also serves on Yale Divinity School’s Board of Advisors.

Her community service includes the International Thomas Merton Society, Metro United Way and Coles County Habitat for Humanity. Crutcher has served the Louisville Visual Arts Association as president and board chair, and has assisted at the Sundance Film Festival and Theater Labs.

She is married to Tom Moran, is a member of the Church of Epiphany and leads its Labyrinth Ministry.

“My parents came from two Christian faiths in the 50’s. I respected both, but was largely raised Catholic. My curiosity about others’ faith drew me to read the Koran aloud in Assumption High School’s Humanities class in 1970.

After 9/11, I had an opportunity to support State Department grants which introduced scholars from South Asia to Islamic life in the US. The grant enjoyed broad community support from many faiths.

Because I desired to deepen my understanding of all faiths, I gravitated to the annual Festival of Faiths and began volunteering, infusing events with my knowledge of film and the visual arts.

I am enriched by serving on the Board of the Center for Interfaith Relations. I feel called to help create a space for hope, mutual appreciation and dynamic movement on issues which might otherwise separate us.”