Our People: Staff - A Rocha USA

Rev. Dr. Ben Lowe, Executive Director

Since his first encounter with A Rocha as a Wheaton student in 2003, Ben has served on A Rocha staff teams and boards, nationally and internationally, most recently as Deputy Executive Director of A Rocha International. Ben’s training as a scientist and a minister inform his leadership and development of A Rocha USA’s national strategy and team.

Originally from Singapore, Ben was the founding national organizer of Young Evangelicals for Climate Action and has served on the boards of A Rocha USA, A Rocha International, the Au Sable Institute, and Christians for Social Action. He is the author of multiple books and his work has been featured in media outlets including Audubon Magazine, Christianity Today, and The New York Times. He has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology from Wheaton and a PhD from the University of Florida focused on the human, religious, and ethical dimensions of environmental change and conservation. Ben is based in the warm and watery state of Florida, USA, where he can often be found kayaking on the Indian River Lagoon.

Dr. Verónica Godoy, Texas Conservation Project Director

Verónica directs our Conservation Project in Central Texas. She leads community partnerships to restore the Bull Creek Watershed and to offer programs to the Spanish-speaking community to in the Austin area.

Originally from Argentina, Veronica worked as a scientist and college instructor in plant molecular and cellular biology and conservation biology before moving to Austin, Texas in 2015, where she lives with her husband and twins. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree and PhD in Biological Sciences from The National University of Mar del Plata in Argentina. Veronica finds plants fascinating and enjoys the diversity and beauty of Texas native trees and wildflowers on her daily walks with her dog, Nacho.

Jenna Henderson, Director of Community Engagement

Jenna directs our communications activities and programs to connect individuals and churches to our work. Whether developing our online platform, church resources, Jenna loves inviting people into the joyful work of caring for creation.

Jenna earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Wake Forest University and a Masters degree from Regent College in Vancouver, Canada, where she first learned about A Rocha’s work. She has worked with a number of nonprofits including Habitat for Humanity, Northern Ireland and Saint Thomas Health Services in Nashville, Tennessee, where she lives. Mom to two teenagers, she enjoys gardening with native plants and spending time outdoors in Tennessee.

Rev. Dave Lamb, Associate Director

Dave has followed a vocational path of Christian ministry and outdoor adventure. He has been a pastor, wilderness trip guide, camp managing director, citizen science volunteer, and even a National Park ranger. He holds a B.R.E. from Clarks Summit University, an M.Div. from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, and has served on several nonprofit boards including the Au Sable Institute. Dave has a passion for the Great Lakes and lives with his wife in beautiful Traverse City, Michigan.

Brittany Michalski, Director of Conservation

Brittany works closely with the Associate Director on financial operations, manages the Conservation Internship Program, and helps our Affiliated and Conservation Projects meet their goals. She brings expertise in conservation planning and a passion for loving and serving God into her role.

Previously with Care of Creation as the Outreach Specialist, Brittany has worked extensively with A Rocha International’s climate action program, Climate Stewards, and Marine Conservation program. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Ecology and a Masters degree in Environmental Conservation from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She lives in Sparta, Wisconsin with her husband and two rescue dogs Pippin and Rosie, where she is an avid gardener and vegetable fermenter (think kimchi, sauerkraut, and hot sauce).

Jenny Ramirez, Environmental Educator

Jenny leads outdoor adventures for our Austin-based program, Picnics en el Arroyo, bringing families together to explore nature and deepen their understanding of local flora and fauna.

Jenny graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. During her studies, she was fascinated with medicinal plants and plant identification. Post-graduation, her work experiences as part of a microbiology research and development team in Austin, Texas have led her to appreciate the role of microbes in our world. In her free time, Jenny blends her love for nature with Austin’s vibrant city life and enjoys hiking, paddle boarding, and sunsets

Autumn Ricksecker, Social Media & Content Coordinator

From her home in Los Angeles, California, Autumn shares snapshots of A Rocha’s work around the world on our social media channels. Through digital storytelling, she connects with new audiences, offers education on the problems we face, and inspires hopeful action to care for God’s creation.

Autumn has a Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Studies from Biola University and has worked with non-profits like Musalaha, Voice of Refugees, and Solidarity. She may be found playing in the Santa Monica Mountains, working part-time at an independent bookstore, or gardening at her Orthodox parish.

Dr. Robert Sluka, Lead Scientist, Marine Conservation

After living for extended periods of time in Australia, India, and Great Britain, Bob now lives with his family in Titusville, Florida where he directs research at our Florida Conservation Project and serves as Lead Scientist for A Rocha International’s Marine Conservation Programme. Bob’s research focuses on marine biodiversity conservation, plastic pollution, and fisheries, particularly in marine protected areas.

Bob has a PhD in Marine Biology from the University of Miami in coral reef fish ecology and is an associate of the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion. His ultimate goal is to glorify God by transforming oceans and communities through holistic marine conservation. Bob’s lifelong passion for the ocean and all its creatures means he spends as much time as possible in or near the water, especially along the Canaveral National Seashore near his home.