Our Staff
Executive director/Founder
Jack Slooijer
Born and raised in Louisiana, Jack founded Below Sea Level Aid to support the community that nurtured them. Their dedication to public health began as a research associate for the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) project, followed by running the largest syringe exchange program on the Gulf Coast. With a deep commitment to community care, Jack created Below Sea Level Aid to uplift the voices of Louisianans and fight for access to basic services in the South and rural areas.
DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
Griffin Thompson
Griffin is a recent graduate of Grand Valley State University with a degree in Geography & Sustainable Planning and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Natural Resource Management. He enjoys opportunities to make maps that have real-world impacts and BSLA is a perfect fit for that. When Griffin isn't making maps, he can likely be found either gardening or watching pro wrestling with his cats.
Director of Administration & Operations
Annika Vanderspek
Annika has a background in harm reduction and reproductive health resource distribution and currently works as a healthcare policy analyst. Whether it’s at the state legislature or in their own neighborhood, they are committed to building systems that center people, not profits. Annika believes that by practicing mutual aid and harm reduction, we reveal what a world built on connection and collective care could look like.
Community Resilience Coordinator
Kacey Lange
Kacey (she/her) is a staff scientist at Tulane University that focuses on Southeast Louisiana marsh ecological system changes with climate change. She is passionate about teaching the community on ways to connect to environmental sustainability. If she's not in the marsh, you can find her biking around the city or at a local music show.
Peer Support Facilitator
Emma McCall
Emma is a local Sex Worker and Social Worker who believes in harm reduction & mental health services that do not police or shame people. She facilitates a local support group for Sex Workers called Healing for Heaux that provides a space for sex workers to relax and talk freely about work without judgement.
Harm Reduction specialist
Maxx Anderson
Maxx is a Louisiana native who joined Below Sea Level Aid to build community and expand harm reduction in local party and music scenes. Passionate about keeping people safe while they have a good time, Maxx believes care and culture go hand in hand. You can usually find them at a local garage band show or catching the latest drama in the ring with WWE.
Training and Community Education Lead
Clara Pierson
Clara is a second-year medical student at LSU and a passionate advocate for harm reduction, health equity, and community care. Her work focuses on expanding access to nonjudgmental, evidence-based services for people who use drugs and other underserved populations. Through Below Sea Level Aid, Clara is committed to strengthening public health and improving access to care across Louisiana.