Unique Leadership Team
Practitioner Expertise: 35+ years combined experience in faith-based climate leadership; sensitivity and experience in interdenominational and interfaith engagement; background in community organizing; experience in leading theologically grounded workshops and seminars on climate change, ecojustice, and spiritual resilience.
Proven Impact: Track record with not-for-profit organizations, regional programming, and congregational-level implementation.
Academic Rigor: Doctoral-level scholarship at an accredited college, combined with grassroots organizing experience and practical congregational work. Experience in teaching continuing education eco-theology courses at the seminary level.
MEET THE TEAM!
Rev. Stephanie Johnson
Stephanie is a dynamic eco-minister dedicated to educating and inspiring others on climate change, eco-justice, and creation care. She has a strong background in environmental program development and implementation, ensuring high-impact outcomes. She has proven success in writing eco-themed curriculum, training preachers, and grant development.
For 20 years prior to her ordination as a priest in the Episcopal Church, Stephanie worked as an environmental planner and educator. Following her ordination, Reverend Johnson worked for the Episcopal bishops of New England, providing support in reducing congregational energy use and environmental ministries. Reverend Johnson offers workshops, clergy training and retreats on eco-theology, preaching on climate change, and, congregational greening, and grief in the face of the climate emergency. She has offered courses at Bexley Seabury and Church Next. For 8 years, she was the chair of the Episcopal Church’s Task Force on the Care of Creation and Environmental Racism. Reverend Johnson is on the Leadership Council of Blessed Tomorrow and the Advisory Board of the Center for Earth Ethics at Union Seminary. She is the author of “How Can I Care for Creation” and co-author of a curriculum titled “A Life of Grace for the Whole World”, both published by Church Publishing. She earned her M.Div. and STM from Yale Divinity School. Her S.T.M was focused on eco-ministry in a congregational setting. Reverend Johnson is the Rector at St. Paul’s in Riverside, CT.
Focus: Eco-grief, Pastoral Care, Resilience, Liturgy & Ritual Development, Program Leadership
Dr. Delia Heck earned her PhD in Economic Geography from the University of Washington. She is a Professor of Environmental Science at Ferrum College, where she teaches courses in Eco-Social Justice, Natural Resource Policy and Economics, and Sustainability. Her research focuses on mapping issues related to climate justice and environmental racism. In her 28 years at the college, she has served in various roles, including Provost, Chief Academic Officer, Director of Institutional Effectiveness, and Director of Assessment and Institutional Research.
Dr. Heck served as a member of The Episcopal Church’s Task Force for Care of Creation and Environmental Racism from 2018 to 2024. In 2023, she was a delegate to COP28 as a part of the Episcopal Church’s delegation to the meetings in Dubai. Dr. Heck also joined the Episcopal Church’s delegation to the Commission on the Status of Women's 66th meeting in March of 2022.
Dr. Heck currently serves as a member of Episcopal Relief and Development’s Climate Resilience Community of Practice. She engages in environmental field work by co-leading Ferrum College’s Smith Mountain Lake Water Quality Monitoring Program.
Focus: Ecotheology, Science, International Climate Justice, Mapping Environmental Racism, Academic Assessment, Learning Outcomes
Melanie is a senior faith-based executive with a demonstrated record of leading complex, multi-million-dollar justice and reconciliation initiatives across national and international platforms. She has a track record of scaling programs from local pilots to national initiatives serving 8,000+ constituents; building and leading teams of 10+ staff and consultants across multiple portfolios; transforming culture through strategic change management and conflict resolution; and integrating mission-driven programs with measurable community impact.
Melanie currently works in the Diocese of Washington as the Director of Project Feasibility, East of the River.
Focus: Biblical Studies (Green Lens), Preaching for Climate Justice, Environmental Racism & Ethics
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