Unity of Mesa is guided by a seven-person Board of Trustees, which consists of six congregants and the Lead Minister.  The Board meets monthly and establishes committees to advise the Board on different church matters.  A " Board Member of the Day" is available each Sunday between services.

The Unity of Mesa Board of Trustees voted to adopt the Carver Policy Governance Model in 2013.  Under the Policy Governance Model, the Board instructs the Lead Minister through written policies that prescribe the organizational Ends to be achieved and describe organizational situations and actions to be avoided, allowing the Lead Minister to use any reasonable interpretation of these policies.  There are four types of policies.  The Ends and Executive Limitations policies are the responsibility of the Ministers to implement and oversee; the Board-Management Relationship and Governance Process policies are the responsibility of the Board to implement and oversee. Elections for the Board of Trustees are held each November at the Annual Meeting.

2022-2023 Unity of Mesa Board of Trustees

Erika Bowman, Board President

Erika has lived in Arizona most of her life: she attended and graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s degree majoring in Sociology and a double minor in Family Studies and Public Health in 1996. She lived in Tucson for 8 years, but moved back to the Phoenix area in 2000.
Aside from her career in the public health and healthcare/behavioral health industries, Erika lives a very active lifestyle. Erika has always had a passion for helping others and does so in many different capacities. In her spare time, Erika enjoys spending time with family and friends, domestic and international travel, cooking, working out, attending cultural and art events and of course hanging out with her fur-baby, Beau. 

Tammara Stephens, Member at Large

Tammara, accidentally, started attending Unity of Mesa in 2017 when a family member invited her and didn't show up. She immediately fell in love with the church, the people, and the message. Tammara was on staff as Bookstore Manager from 2017-2018. Currently she volunteers on platform, in the bookstore, plus has helped with the church rummage sale, holiday decorating, and other things around Unity of Mesa. Tammara has attended many Unity classes and groups including Spirit Groups, S.E.E. classes, and Absolute Abundance.
Tammara is an Arizona native, born and raised in Tucson. She moved to the valley in 2000. "I've moved far away twice but keep coming back; the desert is my heart."  Tammara is currently pursuing a BA in Anthropology/Archaeology at ASU while working as a barista at Starbucks. In her spare time she enjoys reading, crafting, cooking yummy vegan food, watching Star Trek (any & all), and hanging out with her hubby Todd and their four rescue dogs, Shurley, Lucy, Roger and Winston. 

Karen Peifer, Secretary

Karen moved to Phoenix Arizona in 2011 and worked for the state of Arizona in developing health programs for children under 5 across the state. She retired to Mesa a couple of years ago and is enjoying her semi-retirement. She continues to work part-time but has a lot of flexibility in her schedule to enjoy life.  Her partner Ann and she have engaged in extensive travel to visit friends, family and exotic places in the world. For the past 25 years she has attended a number of alternative thought churches and is a mindfulness meditation teacher. Around two years ago she found Unity of Mesa while seeking a spiritual home and community of like-minded souls. She has taken a couple of courses and participated in Spirit Groups in order to learn more about the foundations of Unity and has found what feels like home. Karen brings an extensive spiritual background and past board experience to her position on the Unity of Mesa Board of Trustees. 

Stephen Chavez, Treasurer

Stephen Chavez was born in Puerto Rico and has lived in Arizona since 1998. He grew up with a chronic kidney condition which fostered his connection to Spirit as a result of the fears and trauma that came along with his condition. Although he grew up Catholic, he always sensed there were other ways of connecting to the boundless source of all that is—what many call God. His curiosity with other methods of connection along with his relationship to his wife, Becca led him to discover Unity of Mesa which they have both been attending since 2016. Stephen was interested in being a member of the Board of Trustees because he values the Unity of Mesa community and the many ways it has helped him grow in his spiritual journey. Stephen believes in trying to understand those around him, and his commitment to seeking truth in an authentically honest way he hopes will be of benefit to the Board and the greater Unity community. 

Delaine Collins, Member-at-Large

Delaine quickly learned life's lessons growing up in rural Ohio from participating in her family's businesses, the Howard Burns Farm Market and Greenhouses and the Burns Candy Kitchen. Raising two daughters gave Delaine the opportunity to serve as Childbirth Educator, PTO Parent, and leadership roles in the La Leche League and Girl Scouts.
After taking early retirement, she enrolled at Youngstown State University graduating with a B.A. Degree in Business Communication and Marketing at the age of 52. After her husband David retired, they moved to Mesa and started attending Unity of Mesa in August 2005. She started the Love-in-Action Prayer Shawl Ministry and served in many capacities at Unity of Mesa including Church Administrator, LIA Volunteer Coordinator, participated in Spirit Groups, and served on various committees with the Unity of Divine Love and Unity of Mesa Women's Council. She volunteered with Banner Gateway Hospital giving care and comfort to patients and currently serves as a Unity of Mesa Prayer Chaplain.
Delaine's mantra is "If it is to be, it is up to me." 

Cecilia Fleming, Member-at-Large

As a young child in Belleville, Illinois, Cecilia listened to the Unity program from Kansas City on the radio. 
Cecilia has traveled three campuses of Southern Illinois University to earn her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree. Her Bachelor of Nursing is from Arizona State University and her Master of Nursing is from the University of Phoenix.
Cecilia has taught Nursing and Educational classes, at all educational levels (except pre-school) in classrooms, homes, corporations, and hospital venues. 
As a student and trainer for Dr. Sue Morter's Energy Codes, Cecilia facilitated the Energy Codes Book Study and served as a Teaching Assistant for Energy Code Facilitator students.
Cecilia's hobbies are good movies, traveling, being out in nature, and immensely enjoying the sanctuary of her home. Recently retired from a multi-faceted nursing career, Cecilia is looking forward to creating artwork as meditation and helping energize, enlighten, and empower others through Unity of Mesa Board service.
Cecilia has discovered Life is the greatest adventure.

Rev. Nickie Golden and Rev. Mindy Tucker, Co-Ministers