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 and on the Leadership Committee of the Pan African Young Adult 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 and was featured in the Institute for Ecological Civilization’s EcoCiv podcast. She holds a certificate in Beekeeping and is a former Green Faith Junior Fellow.
Avery is a Co-Executive Director of Creation Justice Ministries. He is an activist, ecologist, and public theologian working at the intersection of Christianity and environmental justice. 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.
Currently, Avery is at Duke University pursuing a Master of Environmental Management in Ecosystem Science & Conservation and a Master of Theological Studies, with certificates in Faith, Food & Environmental Justice and Community-Based Environmental Management. His research focuses on the role of religious communities in building climate resilience and adaptation, with emphasis on the virtue of “climate hospitality.”
Currently, Avery is at Duke University pursuing a Master of Environmental Management in Ecosystem Science & Conservation and a Master of Theological Studies, with certificates in Faith, Food & Environmental Justice and Community-Based Environmental Management. His research focuses on the role of religious communities in building climate resilience and adaptation, with emphasis on the virtue of “climate hospitality.”
Amanda is a graduate of Cornell University's Master's in Public Administration program, where she concentrated on nonprofit management. Prior to receiving her Master's, Amanda graduated from Hartwick College where she pursued a double major in Business Administration and Political Science.
Amanda has experience in consulting, ocean policy, event management, fundraising, organizing, marketing, and communications. She is passionate about working with nonprofits, and helping them achieve their missions. Outside of work, Amanda is an avid reader and enjoys finding unique editions at used bookstores.
Helen is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a degree in International Relations. She has 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.
Helen grew up exploring nature & learning how to garden, recycle and compost with her parents. She has a deep passion and reverence for God's creation and is elated that she gets to spend her time with Creation Justice Ministries sharing that passion with others and advocating for this incredible earth. Helen enjoys being out in nature, growing her many houseplants, and reading spy novels.
Helen grew up exploring nature & learning how to garden, recycle and compost with her parents. She has a deep passion and reverence for God's creation and is elated that she gets to spend her time with Creation Justice Ministries sharing that passion with others and advocating for this incredible earth. Helen enjoys being out in nature, growing her many houseplants, and reading spy novels.
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.
Cynthia Pinto, Truth & Healing Fellow
Cynthia is an air quality and environmental justice advocate in Central California where she grew up and still lives. She is currently an online graduate student pursuing a Master's in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Denver. Prior to this, Cynthia obtained her undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is interested in incorporating more voices from Black, Indigenous, and Faith-Based communities in the fight against climate change. In her spare time, she enjoys trips to Yosemite National Park with family and friends. You can find her on Twitter @cynthiapintoc.
Cynthia is an air quality and environmental justice advocate in Central California where she grew up and still lives. She is currently an online graduate student pursuing a Master's in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Denver. Prior to this, Cynthia obtained her undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is interested in incorporating more voices from Black, Indigenous, and Faith-Based communities in the fight against climate change. In her spare time, she enjoys trips to Yosemite National Park with family and friends. You can find her on Twitter @cynthiapintoc.
Rachel Bechtol, Truth & Healing Fellow
Rachel is a member of the Manchester-Point Arena Band of Pomo Indians, but has lived on Nisenan land for most of their life. They have spent years doing professional and personal racial and social justice work in California and Washington. In their free time, they enjoy writing fictional novels and short stories, and playing the ukulele.
Rachel is a member of the Manchester-Point Arena Band of Pomo Indians, but has lived on Nisenan land for most of their life. They have spent years doing professional and personal racial and social justice work in California and Washington. In their free time, they enjoy writing fictional novels and short stories, and playing the ukulele.
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Chris West, Theology Fellow
Chris West is serving as a Theology Fellow with Creation Justice Ministries, where he is helping Baptist congregations engage in creation care and environmental advocacy. He currently serves on the steering committee for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) Environmental Stewardship Committee, and has previously served as a peer reviewer for the "Journal on Faith and Ecology" that was published by the FERNS working group at Yale University. Currently, Chris is a student at Duke University where he is a CBF Leadership Scholar, pursuing his Masters of Divinity and certificates in Food Faith and Environmental Justice and Faith-Based Organizing. Chris is also a participant in the Center for Reconciliation's Berean Cohort, the Duke Initiative for Theology and the Arts, and the Baptist House of Studies program. Chris has a degree in Religion, Pre-law from Campbell University, and a graduate certificate in Faith-Based Nonprofit Leadership from Wake Forest University. |
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Gabrielle Poli, Blue Theology Fellow
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. |
Jim David, Volunteer
As a member of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps, he volunteers with Creation Justice Ministries. He is intensely concerned about global climate change and healthy air, water and regenerative agriculture. He is a retired clinical social worker with 30 years private practice. He also was a career Army officer with 26 1/2 years active duty. He enjoys volunteering with Creation justice Ministries where he does creative writing, integrating gospel truth with scientific environmental facts. He also enjoys doing final editing of our electronic communications plus contributions as a fund raiser. Jim is very active in his faith community and enjoys traveling, reading, exercising, writing and socializing. His greatest joys in life are his wife Sue and doing the Centering Prayer together daily. His public service website, www.askdrdavidnow.com, contains over 150 free mental health newsletters, magazine articles and handouts.
As a member of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps, he volunteers with Creation Justice Ministries. He is intensely concerned about global climate change and healthy air, water and regenerative agriculture. He is a retired clinical social worker with 30 years private practice. He also was a career Army officer with 26 1/2 years active duty. He enjoys volunteering with Creation justice Ministries where he does creative writing, integrating gospel truth with scientific environmental facts. He also enjoys doing final editing of our electronic communications plus contributions as a fund raiser. Jim is very active in his faith community and enjoys traveling, reading, exercising, writing and socializing. His greatest joys in life are his wife Sue and doing the Centering Prayer together daily. His public service website, www.askdrdavidnow.com, contains over 150 free mental health newsletters, magazine articles and handouts.
Andrea "Danny" Folds, Content Contribution Volunteer
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.
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.
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Kristina Sinks, Theology Fellow
Kristina Sinks is serving as a Theology Fellow for Creation Justice Ministries. She is a 2022 graduate of the Master of Arts in Public Ministry program at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary with a concentration in Justice-Centered Worship Arts, and previously studied Communication Studies and Religious Studies at the University of Puget Sound. Kristina is a United Methodist clergy candidate pursuing a ministry career at the intersections of climate, LGBTQ+ and racial justice; arts, liturgy, and music; and radically-inclusive community-building. Kristina grew up in Cupertino, California, speaks German and some Spanish, and loves to make music. She performs nationally with the progressive Christian band The Many. In her current home of Evanston, Illinois, she enjoys exploring the Chicago area, swimming in Lake Michigan whenever possible, upcycling found objects, tending her many plants, and cooking and baking for loved ones. |
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Dawnielle Wright, CJM Intern
Dawnielle Wright is the Creation Justice Ministries Intern. She currently resides in Malibu, California where she is pursuing her Bachelors in both Sustainability and Political Science at Pepperdine University. She is a Young Evangelical for Climate Action Leadership Fellow and Regional Sustainability Student Intern Coordinator for Sodexo dining services. Dawnielle is passionate about the intersection of science and faith, and food and environmental justice issues. |
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Langston Alexander, CJM Intern
Langston Alexander is a second-year masters student at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment. His studies focus on how communities understand their risk and vulnerability to climate impacts and utilize their strengths to plan for a resilient future. Prior to Duke, Langston worked in Durham, NC to reduce plastic waste from restaurants and in Anchorage, AK supporting a salmon habitat restoration program. This summer he is excited to be working with Creation Justice Ministries to organize workshops for faith communities on building climate resilience and creating an asset guide to map the resilience work being done in NC. |
