Ginger received her Bachelors of Science in food science from Mary Crest College in Davenport, IA. She worked as a dietitian in Davenport from 1983 through 1988. Upon relocating to Ames, Ginger began working with individuals with mental/development disabilities. She now has over 20 years experience working in the Human Services field including acting as a supervisor for a mentally ill group home, supported community-based services and assisting in opening a low stimulus ward for geriatric mentally ill individuals. Ginger started working as a Trainer/Technical Writer with the Iowa State University Child Welfare Research & Training Project in August of 2012.