The Theology of the Body Institute in Exton has named Damon Owens as the first executive director of the organization.

“We are very pleased to appoint such an outstanding Catholic leader to this position at the Theology of the Body Institute,” said David Savage, the organization’s  board chair. “Damon has been committed to the work of the Institute for many years, and his passion and enthusiasm for our mission to educate and train men and women in the message of the Theology of the Body is matched by his experience in working to build a culture of life over the last 16 years.”

Owens served as Natural Family Planning and Marriage Preparation Coordinator for the Archdiocese of Newark, founded two non-profit organizations (New Jersey Natural Family Planning Association and Joy-Filled Marriage New Jersey), and led initiatives for pro-life and pro-family organizations such as the New Jersey Catholic Bishops Conference, The Children First Foundation, and Life Education And Resource Network (L.E.A.R.N.), the largest African-American, pro-life ministry in the country.

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Most recently, as executive director of the Children First Foundation, Owens managed the launch of the New Jersey Choose Life license plate project to raise $1 million per year for pregnancy help centers to promote adoption.

Owens is a certified speaker for the Theology of Body Institute and has been lecturing for the organization since 2005. He is also a certified trainer for a teen formation series on the Theology of the Body as well as a marriage preparation program currently being used in more than 30 dioceses.