2023- 2024 Unity of Mesa Board of Trustees

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Top Row, Left to Right:  Jennifer Magnano, Stephen Chavez, Rev. Mindy Tucker, Rev. Nicke Golden, Erika Bowman, and Ministerial Intern, Lily Wong.
Second Row, seated:  Delaine Collins, Cecelia Fleming, and Lorie Weber. 

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. 

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, Vice President

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, Secretary

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.
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Cecilia has discovered Life is the greatest adventure.

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Lorie Weber, Member At Large

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.

Jennifer Magnano, Member at Large

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.
 

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

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