2025 - 2026 Unity of Mesa Board of Trustees

Jennifer Magnano, President

Jennifer Magnano is a mother, writer and Ayurvedic postpartum (doula) specialist. Working for the betterment of mothering and caregiving bodies, she honors the holy and wild as VP of a doula collective in Arizona, founder of a global collaborative called The Postpartum Institute, and the author of one children's book and a weekly-ish contemplative newsletter publication. Jennifer is additionally a committee member of the BIPOC Equity and Access group for Postpartum Support International. With personal experience of the chaos and complexity to exist throughout the caregiving years, Jennifer’s ongoing work is that humanity knows peace. The kind that begins within and echoes throughout generations to come. Jennifer's hobbies include reading, writing, painting, herbalism, attending to her mini farm, and spending time in nature. She is married and is the mother of two precious humans. Presently, Jennifer is in school for spiritual direction with Unity Worldwide Ministries.
 

Lorie Weber, Vice President

​For the past eight years, I have enjoyed our uplifting and inspiring community. I find our pastors, board leaders, and attendees to be authentic souls for the greater good, and I feel drawn to shift my service energy in the direction of our Unity mission.
 
Today, I still enjoy a full-time yet flexible career as faculty at A.T. Still University Physician Assistant program.  However, during the last two years at Unity of Mesa, I have been given the opportunity to serve as a group facilitator for the Grief Support group and the Near-Death and Spiritual Transformative Experience discussion groups. These group discussions allowed me greater personal interaction with many of you and accelerated my desire to serve where called.
 
Thank you for the warm smiles and sincere welcome on Sunday mornings. My experience at Unity of Mesa has been nothing but positive and energizing. I hope to return the love and generosity that I’ve received from all of you by serving on your board.

Judy Sutor, Treasure

​My name is Judy Sutor and I've been attending Unity of Mesa since 2008. I have served the community as an Usher, a Spirit Group Leader, as part of the Women's Ministry, and most recently as a Prayer Chaplain. In my professional life I have worked as an Engineer in a technical role and as a program manager. After 22 years working in Engineering, I went to graduate school and transitioned to my second career as a residential faculty of mathematics and eventually as a department chair at Scottsdale Community College. My career has taught me problem solving skills, how to resolve conflicts and how to work as part of a team. I am about to retire and so I have the time to devote to the Board of Trustees. I look forward to serving the church in this capacity.

Kerri Hellyer, Secretary

iKerri Hellyer has been attending Unity of Mesa regularly since June 2022 after having an "aha" moment that brought her back to the church after a few years' hiatus.
 
Her brother introduced her to Unity teaching in Colorado. Before that, she had read several issues of the Daily Word, which her mother received regularly. She recalls these issues distinctly from her childhood.
 
The teachings and writings of the Fillmore’s have resounded as truth to Kerri and helped her to grow spiritually. She continues to grow in Unity truth and plans to learn and grow with you as a member of the congregation and the board.

Kerri is a registered nurse with a BSN in nursing and has studied for her graduate degree to become an FNP.  Recently, she retired from her nurse educator position that she held for 10 years. Kerri has great problem-solving skills, is an analytical thinker, is skilled at conflict resolution, and is a very good listener.   In addition, she has a very generous heart. She plans to apply these traits and skills as a board member at Unity of Mesa. 
 
Kerri has volunteered as an usher as well as a member of the prayer Shawl ministry. And  she has also volunteered in hospitality from time to time as needed.
 
While Kerri has been called to serve in many capacities over her lifetime, she cherishes this opportunity to serve our Unity community. She will step up with her gifts to be of service now and going forward.
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Audrey Burke, Member at Large

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 followed in my mother’s footsteps as a spiritual seeker, explored 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.

Denise Haala, Member at Large

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 world view and continue to positively impact how I choose to live, love and serve.

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

Rev. Nickie & Rev. Mindy have been co-ministers at Unity of Mesa since April, 2022.