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. 

Louise Ziemann, Treasurer

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.

Stephen Chavez, Member at Large

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. 

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.