These are your 2025/2025 Board of Trustee Candidates.
Audrey Burke
I was introduced to Unity as a young girl. I remember my mother and father reading the Daily Word in the morning with a cup of coffee. I always wanted to know more about God and, following in my mother’s footsteps, became a spiritual seeker, exploring many faith traditions, and in 1989 was licensed as a Church of Religious Science Practitioner. I served as a Practitioner for 15 years. In 2002, when my husband and I moved to Mesa, I started attending the Unity of Mesa Church and became a member and Prayer Chaplain in 2020. I am dedicated to my spiritual growth, continue to learn, take classes at the church, and support others on their spiritual journey.
I am a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. My husband of 55 years died in 2019. I always wanted to be a Minister and realized that my career with the Arizona Department of Corrections was my ministry. I worked for the Arizona Department of Corrections for 40 years and retired in 2012. During this time, I held many different positions. I was a Bureau Administrator, Division Director for Program Services, Deputy Division Director, and a Deputy Warden for the Arizona State Prison Complex in Phoenix. As an administrator, I was given an opportunity to participate in the implementation of many positive changes in the Department and Arizona’s criminal justice system.
I am grateful for my many blessings, including my wonderful family, Unity’s spiritual community, the spiritual teachers I have met along the way, and friends who have supported me in this incredible spiritual journey.
I am a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. My husband of 55 years died in 2019. I always wanted to be a Minister and realized that my career with the Arizona Department of Corrections was my ministry. I worked for the Arizona Department of Corrections for 40 years and retired in 2012. During this time, I held many different positions. I was a Bureau Administrator, Division Director for Program Services, Deputy Division Director, and a Deputy Warden for the Arizona State Prison Complex in Phoenix. As an administrator, I was given an opportunity to participate in the implementation of many positive changes in the Department and Arizona’s criminal justice system.
I am grateful for my many blessings, including my wonderful family, Unity’s spiritual community, the spiritual teachers I have met along the way, and friends who have supported me in this incredible spiritual journey.
Denise Haala
I moved from suburban Chicago to Leisure World in 2016. I had 23 years with my love, Patrick, until his death in 2008. Our son, Andrew, an ME, will soon deploy for 2.5 months to Antarctica to oversee the drilling of cores from the oldest ice on earth, providing critical data for climate research. Oh, such pride!
Me? I’m energized by creative change, grateful for all of life’s wonder, and have never let fear rule (many stitches are proof)! I believe that my lived/learned experiences and ‘careers’ as Montessori director, Sears Catalog copywriter, outside saleswoman, high-end caterer, and Reading Specialist have all expanded my worldview and continue to positively impact how I choose to live, love, and serve.
Me? I’m energized by creative change, grateful for all of life’s wonder, and have never let fear rule (many stitches are proof)! I believe that my lived/learned experiences and ‘careers’ as Montessori director, Sears Catalog copywriter, outside saleswoman, high-end caterer, and Reading Specialist have all expanded my worldview and continue to positively impact how I choose to live, love, and serve.
Below is the Timeline for the process of becoming a board member and testimonies from current board members.
Please Note: Town Hall has moved to November 9th @ 11:45 am.
What current board members say about serving on the Unit of Mesa Board.
"Board service has amplified my spiritual life in noticeable ways. I have been in leadership roles my entire life. Honestly, I joined the Unity of Mesa Board of Trustees in 2022 simply because I wanted to get to know the inner workings of our spiritual community just a little bit better. What was unexpected is that the same beauty the Co-Ministers offer to our Congregants each week (the opportunity to be empowered, enlightened and energized at each and every service, plus through regularly scheduled events) would be extended unto the Board, too. I have laughed, cried, given, received, learned, and grown in so many ways. What a gift to be on the Board; and to serve as Board President this year!" Jennifer Magnano, Board President 2024-2025
