The Sacramento Metro Chamber has hired former Wente Vineyards marketing director Ingrid Nurse Foster to head the Metro Chamber’s communications division. Foster replaces Christine Ault, who is pursuing her own business in the Sacramento area.

Foster, who will serve as the vice president of communications at the Metro Chamber, comes to the position with an extensive background in marketing and communications in Northern California. Most recently, she was a wine industry executive for Wente Family Estates in Livermore. Her position brought exposure to national and international marketing strategies, as well as brand development and management.

“Ingrid has outstanding skills in the areas of communications, marketing, branding and strategic management that make her an important addition to the organization,” said Matt Mahood, president & CEO. “Her experience will help the Metro Chamber meet the current demands of a new economy and the structural changes we are seeing in how the business world communicates.”

Foster’s previous experience includes service with Beringer Blass Wine Estates of Napa, where she worked on marketing programs for the popular Chateau St. Jean brand. Locally, she served as marketing manager for Bel Air and Nob Hill Foods with Raley’s Family of Fine Stores and worked in public affairs for the Sacramento-based Perry Communications Group. She was also the director of corporate communications for the Chicago-based technology corporation, 4Access Communications.

She holds a master in business administration in marketing and strategic management from UC Davis and a bachelor of arts in mass communications from UC Berkeley.

Foster can be reached at 916-321-9145 or ifoster@metrochamber.org.