Park Inglefield was born in Statesville and raised in Hickory from the age of four. A proud product of Hickory Public Schools, Park attended Viewmont Elementary, Northview and Grandview Middle Schools, and Hickory High School. Her faith was nurtured by the caring community at Northminster Presbyterian Church, where she grew up surrounded by mentors and neighbors who believed in her.

Park went on to study political science at Northeastern University in Boston, graduating with honors and a minor in psychology. She spent ten years in Boston, gaining experience in public service by working for a U.S. Senator and training women to run for political office.

In 2022, Park returned home to Hickory determined to give back to the city that raised her. She has worked with several nonprofit organizations, including serving as Deputy State Director for Rise Free. She also completed a year-long term on the Catawba Grand Jury, where she witnessed firsthand the challenges our community faces with domestic violence, child endangerment, and substance abuse.

Today, Park serves as the North Carolina State Director for Young People’s Alliance, a nonpartisan nonprofit that equips the next generation of leaders with the tools to advocate for positive change.

Park is running for Mayor of Hickory because she believes voters deserve choices they can be excited about in every election. When she saw an opportunity for fresh leadership, she decided to step forward and serve.

When she isn’t working or campaigning, you can find Park enjoying Crawdads games, supporting local theater, or exploring Hickory’s shops and restaurants.