Meet the Staff & Volunteer Team
Karyn is a Co-Executive Director of Creation Justice Ministries. She has served as the policy advisor and project manager as well policy analyst and research analyst at Bread for the World, focusing on the intersections of climate change, food security and racial equity. She is a steering committee member of the American Baptist Churches’ Creation Justice Network. She earned her Master in Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, where she sat on the Board of Directors, and her undergraduate degree in social relations and policy from Michigan State University. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Global Food Security and Nutrition focusing her studies and research on sustainability. She has published numerous articles on topics such as environmental racism and climate change.
Check out Karyn's speaker kit to see potential presentations she can do!
Check out Karyn's speaker kit to see potential presentations she can do!
Avery is a Co-Executive Director of Creation Justice Ministries. Avery has a background in both ecological research and faith-based environmental organizing, studying ecology in various ecosystems and organizing faith communities across the country in support of action on environmental justice. Previously he has worked for Sojourners and Interfaith Power & Light. He serves on the board for The Center for Spirituality in Nature and is a Fellow with the Re:Generate Program at Wake Forest Divinity School and the Foundations of Christian Leadership Program at Duke Divinity School.
Avery has a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Sustainability from Pepperdine University, Master of Environmental Management in Ecosystem Science & Conservation with a certificate in Community-Based Environmental Management from the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University, and a Master of Theological Studies, with a certificate in Faith, Food & Environmental Justice from Duke Divinity School. His research focuses on the role of religious communities in building climate resilience and adaptation, with emphasis on the virtue of “climate hospitality.”
Check out Avery's speaker kit to see potential presentations he can do!
Avery has a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Sustainability from Pepperdine University, Master of Environmental Management in Ecosystem Science & Conservation with a certificate in Community-Based Environmental Management from the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University, and a Master of Theological Studies, with a certificate in Faith, Food & Environmental Justice from Duke Divinity School. His research focuses on the role of religious communities in building climate resilience and adaptation, with emphasis on the virtue of “climate hospitality.”
Check out Avery's speaker kit to see potential presentations he can do!
As Policy Advocate, Helen leads Creation Justice Ministries’ work advocating to better protect, restore, and rightly share God’s lands and waters. In this work, Helen organizes faith leaders, creates policy resources, and works with partners to achieve meaningful policy change for God’s planet and people. Prior to CJM, Helen worked for the National Religious Partnership for the Environment and was the preliminary editor for Journey to Transformation 2020 Lenten Study by Bishop Sharma D. Lewis. Helen has been an international volunteer building churches, schools and clinics. She has been active in the United Methodist Church throughout her life, serving as Chair of Trustees and a member of the Finance and Administrative Council, the Rappahannock River District Board of Connectional Ministries, and the Virginia Conference Communications Board. She is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a degree in International Relations. Helen brings the saying, "Think globally, act locally" to life. She has a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion lens in her work and centers a reciprocal relationship with God's creation in her personal theology.
Check out Helen's speaker kit to see potential presentations she can do!
Check out Helen's speaker kit to see potential presentations she can do!
|
Derrick Weston is a writer, filmmaker, podcaster, speaker, and educator whose most recent work has focused on the intersection of food and faith. He is the co-host of the Food and Faith podcast and producer of Spoon, Spade, and Soul, a podcast highlighting food and land-based ministries in the Episcopal church. Additionally, he is the producer of the short film series "A Wilderness Like Eden" highlighting the work of churches engaged in food justice work. After two decades of being a pastor and community organizer, Derrick is a strong believer in the potential of local congregations to enact change in their communities. Derrick received his B.A. in film studies from the University of Pittsburgh and his Masters of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary. He also has a certification in health ministry from Wesleyan Theological Seminary and was a part of the Re:Generate fellowship on food, faith, and ecology through Wake Forest Divinity School. Derrick is the co-author of the book The Just Kitchen: Invitations to Sustainability, Cooking, Connection, and Celebration and has written numerous articles for several publications. He and his wife Shannon have four children and live outside of Baltimore, Maryland.
Check out Derrick's speaker kit to see potential presentations he can do! |
Jasmine is the Operations & Executive Assistant for Creation Justice Ministries. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2018 where she earned her Bachelors in Health, Physical Education and Exercise Science. She then proceeded to earn her Masters in Exercise Science with a concentration in Rehabilitation Science and Nutrition at California University of Pennsylvania. Prior to working with Creation Justice Ministries, Jasmine worked with the Archdiocese of Washington as an Administrative Assistant to both Howard University and Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown. During her free time, she loves to volunteer with the homeless, attend worship, host bible study and go on adventures throughout the DMV area. She is excited to support the mission of Creation Justice Ministries and contribute her efforts to protecting & restoring God's creation, and assisting efforts in ensuring it is rightly shared amongst God's children.
|
Tess is a Creation Justice Fellow volunteering for the Church of the Brethren for one year. She is originally from Pennsylvania and previously served on her local school board as a student representative, sparking her interest in government and politics. Some topics she is passionate about include global warming, food insecurity, and consumerism and the way they impact the environment. She is excited to work at Creation Justice Ministries and learn more about the earth and try to make a difference in whatever way she can. Outside of work, Tess likes reading, spending time outside hiking and swimming, and traveling anywhere possible.
|
Katerina is a Mennonite pastor and educator who lives on Yokuts land in Fresno, California. Her work and ministry are inspired by Jesus' call to Jubilee justice and healing. She organizes for Indigenous solidarity with the Anabaptist Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery Coalition and works with incarcerated people in CA state prisons to grow healing gardens behind bars through the Insight Garden Program. Katerina loves writing poetry, hiking in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and learning the names of birds, plants and animals.
|
Gabrielle is serving as the Blue Theology Fellow for Creation Justice Ministries. In love with Christ and creation, she focuses on the intersection of ocean conservation and Christianity. Gabrielle graduated from the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine, where she studied marine biology, environmental education, and theology. She is living in Pacific Grove, California while she works with the Blue Theology Mission Station & the Christian Church of Pacific Grove. She can often be found knee-deep in the intertidal or admiring the local sea lion population.
|
|
Andrea "Danny" Folds has been volunteering for Creation Justice Ministries since 2016 and is amazed at how much their small but mighty team accomplishes. Originally from Atlanta, Andrea's studies and work have taken her from New York to Nashville, Montreal to Mexico, and now to Washington, D.C., where she lives with her partner. She is proud to serve as legislative counsel for oceans at Earthjustice, and in her spare time, she enjoys staring at trees for as long as is socially acceptable.
|
Emma is newly volunteering for Creation Justice Ministries. Originally from the Jersey Shore, Emma grew up exploring wetlands and preserving sand dunes. Now, with a background in email marketing and nonprofit development, she helps design email communication for CJM. In her spare time, her activism centers around period poverty and environmental justice, and advocating for better public transportation in Los Angeles, where she lives with her partner. Emma is a recently confirmed Catholic and her home parish is St. Monica Catholic Church in Santa Monica, CA.
Ashtyn is a Seminary Intern at Creation Justice Ministries. She graduated from Pepperdine University with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Divinity with a certificate in Theology and the Arts at Duke University. She is interested in the intersection between food and faith, as well as embodiment and sustainability. In her free time, Ashtyn enjoys spending time in the mountains skiing, sunbathing at the beach, and exploring new vegan recipes and restaurants with friends and family.
|
Molly Johnson is an Environmental Justice Mapping Intern with Creation Justice Ministries. She holds a Master’s of Environmental Management from Yale School of Environment. Her past experiences include planning the National Adaptation Forum on climate change adaptation in North America, advancing food sovereignty efforts while serving as a Tribal Resilience AmeriCorps VISTA at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College and teaching strategies for living with the Land while serving as a Jesuit Volunteer at Sitka Conservation Society. She is passionate about approaches that advance environmental and climate justice and encourage healthy communities.
|
