Carla Jones Brown (She/Her) is a Teaching Elder in the PCUSA. She is a pastor, preacher, sister, mother, wife, and friend. She enjoys
creating on paper and in the kitchen! She longs to see people live in ways that allow them to clarify their deepest desires and dreams and also to discern where the Holy is leading them!
She currently serves as the Senior Pastor at Arch Street Presbyterian
Church in Philadelphia. She hopes to serve the CA in ways that are
life-giving to the students and encouraging to the alumni! She also makes an amazing cheesecake for some of our CA dinners and you're invited to judge for yourself!
Lanese came to the University of Pennsylvania in 2000 and has worked as the Executive Assistant to the University CIO since 2005. She is excited about joining the CA Board of Directors because it will allow her to interact and engage with a portion of the Penn student population. When not on campus, Lanese is a member of the ministerial team at Christ of Calvary Covenant Church Ministries International, volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House and enjoys quality time spent with family and friends.
Zach is a data scientist working to make AI more responsible in Brooklyn. He went to undergrad at Penn and has recently become obsessed with making cider, a possible continuation of the beer brewing class he taught years ago at the CA.
Minister Angela Carter was born a Pastor’s Kid in Philadelphia, PA. She began ministering in music at the age of 8 and has continued ecumenical worship throughout the Philadelphia area. She is committed to ALL people and nations worshiping our Savior together. She has directed several choirs over the years and sang for several years on the Gospel Music Worship of America Choir.
Angela also serves as a Minister at The Church of Christian Compassion in Philadelphia. She is the Minister for Care/Comfort (nursing home ministry). She teaches New Members’, Power for Life, and Spiritual Renewal classes. She also teaches the Asian Church at Compassion with an interpreter. But most of all she loves the Lord and is committed to advancing the Universal Church.
After receiving his B. Eng. from Monash University in Australia, Gary Christensen received his PhD (and MA and MSE) in chemical engineering from Princeton University and retired in 2021 as a technical executive from ExxonMobil with over 30 years experience. While he is an advocate for the need for deep technical skills, he also strongly believes in the importance of “people skills” leading him to be sought after as a mentor, even after retiring. Gary is a member of The First Presbyterian Church In Philadelphia where he is currently Moderator of the Board of Deacons, and also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Wenonah Free Public Library.
Meagan is the pastor across the street at University Lutheran Church. Meagan grew up in northeastern Minnesota, the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” and received her BA from Luther College in northeastern Iowa. After teaching history at an International School in China for four years and then working in youth and family ministry for several years, she moved to Philadelphia for seminary and then was called to serve UniLu. She is so thankful for the partnership between her congregation and the CA and is excited about Campus Ministry collaboration.
Jenni Herold is a Seattle native who now works in Penn’s Development office. She studied sociology at Western Washington University, graduating in 2011, and afterward moved to the East Coast to pursue a degree at Princeton Theological Seminary, where she gained her M.Div and met her wife. They live outside Philly with their two fantastic dogs, Otis and Hildy.
Robin received her undergraduate education from Geneva College, Center for Urban Theological Studies and majored in Human Services. She was awarded her M.S.Ed from the University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education in School and Mental Health Counseling. Robin received her doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Eastern University. In 2021, she retired from The Wharton School.
She is an ordained and licensed minister serving at the Philadelphia Prayer, Praise, and Worship Center Church, Inc. and also serves on several ministries. She is passionate about understanding people's lived experiences and giving them hope and care. Robin treasures time with her family and friends, watching good movies, and is an avid baker.
Jakob is a PhD student in Genomics and Computational Biology from Illinois. As a lifelong Lutheran, he sees the CA as a second home to grow in his faith and spirituality. Outside of school he enjoys running, hiking, and traveling.