Dr. Melanie L. Harris – Executive Director/Primary Administrator – Dr. Harris is a leading scholar in ecowomanism, and most notably the author of Ecowomanism: African American Women and Earth Honoring Faiths (Orbis Press, 2017). A graduate of Spelman College, and the Harvard Leadership program, the American Council of Education Fellows program and the North Carolina Non-Profit Management Institute, Dr. Harris’ research highlights the intersections between Black and indigenous women, spirituality and ecology. Dr. Harris is the author of several books and academic articles engaging the life work and writings of Alice Walker. She serves as an educational consultant and is Professor of Black Feminist and Womanist Theologies at Wake Forest University School of Divinity where she also serves as the Director of the Food, Health and Ecological Well Being Program. https://divinity.wfu.edu/academics/faculty/melanie-l-harris/
Dr. Michelle Lewis – Finance Officer – Dr. Lewis is a leading ecowomanist scholar and environmental scientist. A graduate of Emory University, Yale Divinity School and the Yale School of the Environment, Dr. Lewis’ research engages black women’s leadership in environmental justice. She leads the Duke Divinity School Ormond Center environmental justice, climate and food insecurity initiatives https://ormondcenter.com/michelle-lewis. Dr. Lewis is also an ordained United Methodist Pastor and has decades of experience shaping the development of faith inspired farming communities.
Elonda Clay – Director of Programming/Lead Researcher – Clay is a leading researcher in ecowomanism and serves as the Director of the Library at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. She holds an MLIS from the University of Missouri-Columbia, a M.A. in Theological Studies from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and a Master of Divinity from Gammon Theological Seminary (UMC). Elonda’s research explores ecowomanist approaches to the environmental impacts of artificial intelligence and data centers. Her forthcoming book, Artificial Intelligence, Real Faith: Tech Ethics for Congregations, Pastors, and Lay Leaders, equips faith leaders to guide their communities through AI’s transformative social, ethical, and spiritual challenges with theological wisdom and practical guidance.