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.

Arne Richardson, Board President

Arne first came to Unity of Mesa in 2008, and became a member the next year. “I fell in love with the message and the minister. I stayed because I adore the people that come here”.  Arne has taken many (if not most) of the classes offered through the church, especially the book studies, including the S.E.E. courses. Additionally, he has volunteered in many capacities including the Youth Ministries, in the bookstore, as an usher, on the Creating Tomorrow campaign and various building projects. Arne even met his wife here and married her here in this church. Individually, and with his wife Cindy, Arne has facilitated and attended Spirit Groups. He is well-known in our community for his contributions to the Reiki Circle, and for the meditation services, by playing the beloved Tibetan Singing Bowls.

Erika Bowman, Vice 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. 

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. 

Jean Bettis, Treasurer

            Jean has been attending Unity of Mesa for 4 ½ years and has been a member for 3 years.  She currently serves as a Platform and Meditation Leader, Bookstore volunteer, and occasional speaker. Jean was involved in the new minister focus groups and assisted in the writing of the new minister job posting along with other volunteers on the search committee. She currently works for the City of Mesa in Employee Benefits.  Some of the special contributions Jean feels that she brings to the Board are her creative writing skills, her public speaking ability, and her job experience in both Accounting and Human Resources.  Jean is committed to seeing Unity of Mesa grow and prosper and she believes she will contribute positively to Unity’s vision for creating tomorrow as a church board member.    ​

Louise Ziemann, Member at Large

Louise Ziemann started attending Unity of Mesa in 2005. Unable to retain a Unity connection after a move with her job in 2007, she returned to Arizona and Unity of Mesa in 2013. She and her husband became members in March 2014.
Louise has been a spiritual seeker for most of her life and feels she has found a loving, supportive community at Unity of Mesa. As an active volunteer, Louise assists the Finance Director, works in the Bookstore, and helps with events such as the Rummage Sale and church cleaning.
Louise is a retired Finance Manager, having worked for State Farm Insurance for 35 years. Louise has been a part of the Insurance Accounting and Systems Association for 20 years, serving in many capacities, including national president, Board member and Nominating Committee member.
She has three children and three grandchildren. Family and friends are a priority and a great joy for her.

Kenya Cribb, Member at Large

​Kenya began her spiritual journey 31 years ago at Unity of Albany alongside her family in Albany, Georgia. Kenya understood early in life the importance of living a positive and purpose filled life. Her practice of the Unity principles of gratefulness and gratitude are staples in her daily life. Kenya is authentically herself whenever you encounter her. She   is enthusiastic about meeting the many friends of the Unity community and welcomes new ideas and thoughts that will contribute to her helping others. Kenya is a Supervisor for the Department of Employment and Rehabilitation Services. In her personal time she enjoys horseback riding, swimming, running 5K and 10K races, reading a variety of books and crafting wreaths.