GreenFaith US is pleased to introduce the 2025 GreenFaith Rising Leaders Fellows, a dynamic and diverse group of 17 climate activists, aged 18-35 years old, from diverse religious and spiritual backgrounds. These individuals represent the next class of leaders trained through the GreenFaith Fellowship Program, the world’s longest-running interfaith environmental leadership program.

Beginning this year, GreenFaith has focused the program on leadership development for rising leaders ages 18-35. “The climate justice movement succeeds when young people are in the lead,” said GreenFaith’s William Morris, the program’s director. “At GreenFaith, we know young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow but also the leaders of today. We are excited about what our Fellows will  accomplish over the next year and beyond.” 

Religious and Geographic Diversity

This year’s class of Fellows hails from eight states: California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin, and from Quebec. Its members are from Hindu, Indigenous, Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist, Unitarian Universalist, and spiritual-not-religious backgrounds. “These dynamic young leaders are new faces of religious leadership on the environment, now and in the future,” said Rev. Chelsea MacMillan, an interspiritual minister and GreenFaith’s New York Organizer. “We love their energy and their deep commitment to a spiritually and religiously rooted response to the climate crisis.”

Leadership Development, Belief Into Action

The program includes study of eco-theologies and climate justice, skills development in grassroots organizing and campaigning, and training in religiously-rooted climate change communication. Fellows will also learn about the history of faith-based movements for justice, gaining insights and inspiration from the past to fuel their climate activism. The Fellows met June 24-28 in Berkeley, CA, for the program’s opening retreat, where they observed a major oil refinery and its massive impact on the area and a community-led agriculture project. They will meet bi-weekly to complete the course of study. 

Each Fellow will carry out a leadership project, whether through starting a GreenFaith Circle, organizing faith-based participation in a climate campaign, or engaging their religious network or association in climate justice efforts with GreenFaith. 

GreenFaith will share updates on the Fellows’ projects and progress throughout the year on its social media channels. Follow their stories, learn from their experiences, and be inspired by their commitment to creating a better world.

For more information about the Rising Leaders Fellowship Program, contact William Morris at william@greenfaith.org.

GreenFaith 2025 Rising Leaders Fellows

Takundanashe Chinogwenya: United Methodist; Master of Divinity Candidate, Drew Theological School. She is driven by a passion for environmental justice and believes in our mandate to care for God’s creation. Taku enjoys cooking, baking, and exploring new places.

Kayla Crump: Spiritual not Religious; Landscape Horticulture Program, Milwaukee Area Technical College. Connecting deeply with her roots in the garden, Kayla enjoys volunteering at The Belonging Place Garden, a community food garden, walking trails, spending time with loved ones, and trying new foods.

Michael DeSantis: Unitarian Universalist; Ministry Intern, Denver, CO. They are starting a ministry internship in Denver, Colorado, aspiring to serve an ecologically minded congregation. Michael loves baking bread, hiking, and playing with their rescue cat.

Adrienne Elliott: Episcopallian; Coordinator of Episcopal Church in Western WA Multicultural Ministries, Community Transformation, and Creation Care. Active with the Diocese of San Diego’s Creation Care Community, she is passionate about racial and environmental justice. Adrienne loves her kitties and coaching cross country and track.

Eli Hilbert: Unitarian Universalist; Political Organizer, Permian Basin Region of West Texas. Eli holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Texas San Antonio. Eli educates and organizes against the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure in his community.

Vijayendra Kadalabal: Hindu; Fellowship Director, Bard College. Strengthening Indian diaspora connections for Hindus for Human Rights with extensive experience in community organizing and conflict transformation, he advocates against casteism.

Mohit Kumar: Hindu; Master Program in Educational Leadership, McGill University. Mohit is passionate about education and climate justice. He is involved in various educational and sustainable development projects, including water management sustainability efforts.

Matthew Alexander Menzies: Indigenous Mayan; Grassroots Climate Organizer, Extinction Rebellion NYC. With Indigenous Maya Indian roots from Belize, he combats environmental racism and climate destruction.

Shaina Morrel: Jewish; National College Engagement Program Manager, Adamah. A graduate of George Washington University in Human Rights and Contemporary Cultures, she is passionate about sustainability and social justice and enjoys nature, reading, and spending time with loved ones.

Connor Murray: Christian; Senior, Iona University, co-creator of the Iona University GreenFaith Circle, Young Adult Advisory Board Member, Catholic Climate Covenant. Connor enjoys acting, reading, making music, and spending time with friends, family, and God.

Liam Myers: Catholic; Freelance writer, Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies, Iona University. A member of the Catholic Worker Maryhouse in NYC, he finds beauty in everyday activities like walking through parks, enjoying simple meals, and playing the saxophone with friends.

Juliet Owuor: Presbyterian; Young Adult Volunteer, Presbyterian Church USA. With a background in Environmental Engineering focusing on biological water recycling systems, she aims to combine her love for the environment with her growing spiritual beliefs.

Jawad Rasul: Muslim; Imam and Religious Director of the Islamic Center of Brushy Creek. Passionate about environmental stewardship, he enjoys paddleboarding and appreciating the beautiful gifts of the earth.

Priyanka Srinivasa: Hindu; Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Manager, King County, Washington, co-leader of the Hindu Liberation Theology Working Group, Sadhana. She enjoys scuba diving, coastal clean-ups, and monitoring biodiversity in Puget Sound.

Jamie Stark: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; REDF Growth Portfolio and CA Rise Program Manager. After volunteering in El Salvador, Jamie founded Farming Hope, a culinary job training and food justice nonprofit. 

Albarka Wakili: United Methodist; Master of Divinity Candidate; Drew Theological School. Originally from Nigeria, Albarka is dedicated to theology, ethics, and leadership, focusing on climate action and social transformation. He enjoys photography, playing soccer, spending time in nature, and connecting with diverse backgrounds.

Aven Whitehorne: Episcopalian; Writer, PhD candidate in Integral Ecology, California Institute of Integral Studies. They hold multiple degrees, including a BA in Environmental Humanities with a minor in Anthropology and live on Secatogue Ancestral Lands with their two dogs.