Cassandra Carmichael
Executive Director

Rev. Michael McClain
National Outreach Coordinator

Prior to joining NRPE in September 2013, Cassandra was the Washington Office and Eco-Justice Program director for the National Council of Churches USA. In her role at the NCC, she oversaw the Council's advocacy and eco-justice work and worked to set and implement strategic priorities in partnership with various stakeholders. Previously, she was director of faith-based outreach at the Center for a New American Dream. She received her graduate degree in environmental education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Ms. Carmichael is a senior fellow in the Environmental Leadership Program and a previous board member on the Chesapeake Bay Alliance, and she has also served on the White House Faith-Based and Neighborhood Advisory Council Task Force on Climate and Environment and the Advisory Council of the Green Bible. Cassandra can be contacted at [email protected].

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Katie Brown
Program Manager

Katie Brown works to support the various programs, partnerships, research projects, and advocacy efforts of NRPE. Katie graduated from Saint Mary's College of Notre Dame with a degree in Political Science and Philosophy, and holds a Masters in Theological Studies from Boston College's School of Theology and Ministry. 
An active member of the Catholic Church, she also works with the USCCB's Laudato Si' Advocates Program; she is passionate about lay leadership and utilizing Catholic Social Teaching to promote justice and the common good in the public square. Prior to NRPE, Katie worked with Rock Creek Conservancy in Washington DC and served in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. 
When not working, Katie can be found training for her next marathon, coaching a local high school cross country team, and spending time with her husband, Nathan. 

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On behalf of NRPE, Rev. McClain works with denominational leaders and congregations across the US to help educate them on environmental stewardship, climate change and clean energy. Rev. Michael McClain, a native of Statesville, NC, has been pastor of Historic Liberty Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Catawba, SC. He has held several leadership positions in his ministerial service including Treasurer of the Sandy River Baptist Association- Upper Division, Executive Board Member of the Baptist Educational and missionary Convention of South Carolina and Deputy Director General of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. Rev. McClain is also the founder and president of Green Bulb Lighting of Columbia, SC, a green energy and lighting efficiency company that specializes in green technology installations including solar and wind generation.

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Kara Ball
Tree Coordinator

Kara supports the partners of the National Religious Partnership for the Environment in developing and implementing their tree planting and care programs. She brings experience developing tree planting and care programs with faith-based and conservation organizations, equipping people of faith to bring the cooling, health, and beauty benefits of trees to their communities. Kara is a Master Naturalist and a Tree Steward, both of which enable her to share the benefits of nature and trees with her community. She holds a Master of Environmental Policy and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland. Kara and her husband the Rev. Dr. Jim Ball enjoy hiking the Potomac Heritage Trail in all seasons and visiting as many national parks as possible. 

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Partner Staff

Laudato Si' Advocates Program

Katie Brown, Program Director
Katie Mancilla, New Mexico Intern / Archdiocese of Santa Fe 
Carmen Garcia, Georgia Intern / Archdiocese of Atlanta 
Julianna Roseland, North Carolina Intern / Diocese of Raleigh

Creation Justice Ministries

Avery Davis Lamb, Executive Director
Derrick Weston, Theological Education & Training Coordinator
Madison Mayhew, Policy & Advocacy Manager
Jasmine Coles, Communications & Operations Associate 
Tess Koontz, Communications Assistant
Marissa Salgado, Church Engagement Manager

Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life

Rabbi Daniel Swartz, Executive Director

U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops

Chloe Noel, Environmental Policy Advisor 

Catholic Climate Covenant

Dan Misleh, Founder and Executive Director
Kayla Jacobs, Program Manager, Youth Mobilization
Diana Marin, Program Manager, Young Adult Mobilization
Paz Artaza-Regan, Program Manager, Care for Creation
Emily Burke, Social Media Manager and Young Adult Mobilization Program Assistant 
Madeline Troy, Office Manager
Marianne McCorkle, Development Director
Michelle Butler, Operations and Development Manager
Ian Moise, Director, Catholic Energies Service Program
Nancy LaVerda, Public Health Volunteer
Katie Zakrzewski, Communications Manager

Evangelical Environmental Network

Rev. Jessica Moerman, President and CEO
Tori Goebel, Chief Operating Officer
Lauren Kim, National Organizer and Spokesperson, YECA
Dr. Rev. Jeremy Summers, Director of Church and Community Engagement
Kim Anderson, Associate Director for OH and PA Outreach
Lindsay Garcia, Director of Communications
Carolyn Heckman, Associate Director of Pennsylvania Policy
Jaime Butler, Communications Associate
Rev. Tim Olsen, Upper Midwest Coordinator