UUSC - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Associate for Administration and Enrollment
Abby Crum joined UUSC in August 2019 as the Associate for Administration and Enrollment for Activism and Justice Education (AJE) team. She is responsible for setting up, maintaining, and operating the enrollment and administrative functions of the AJE team.
As an undergraduate, Abby worked with the College of Social Justice as a 2016 Global Justice Summer intern. She was placed with the Center for Ethical Living and Social Justice Renewal in New Orleans. Through this experience, Abby found her passion for social justice and a deep desire to connect her faith and values as a UU to her work.
Abby earned her bachelor's degree in Linguistics from Bryn Mawr College in 2018. She is a loving dog mom, an avid knitter, and a budding aerialist.
Job Titles:
- Human Resources Assistant
Adelaide Vonleh is UUSC's Human Resources Assistant. Prior to joining UUSC, Adelaide worked in human resources in health care for 20 years, coordinating benefits, compensation, and all other aspects of human resources. She completed her undergraduate studies at Boston College with a degree in Business Administration. With deep compassion, she truly believes in the mission and vision of UUSC.
Job Titles:
- Community Editor for Just Media
- Digital Strategist for Mobilization and Engagement
- President of the Associated Students of Pomona College
Alejandro Guerrero Vargas joined UUSC in September 2022 and currently leads project management on UUSC's digital engagement and mobilization campaigns and strategy.
After serving as the student body president of the Associated Students of Pomona College, Alejandro began his career advancing human rights by receiving the 2019 Napier Award for Creative Leadership and spending his first year after undergrad working directly with local high school youth at Gente Organizada, training them in anthropology methodology to conduct interviews with local changemakers-residents who have been involved in efforts to create social change in the city of Pomona. After spending three years organizing and supporting youth-led advocacy campaigns with Gente Organizada, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Alejandro transitioned to digital organizing and worked with Unemployed Action, a movement by and for unemployed workers and their families affiliated with the Center for Popular Democracy. Alejandro, alongside a plethora of Unemployed Action volunteers, unions, and other working-class movements, coordinated virtual town halls, advocacy demonstrations, and other creative messages targeted towards Congress that garnered local and national press. Following his work with Center for Popular Democracy, Alejandro worked with Forward Justice to execute digital narrative campaigns to combat voter re-enfranchisement disinformation and get out the vote materials for the web, print, radio, and social media. Lastly, prior to joining UUSC, Alejandro was the communications coordinator with Southern Vision Alliance where he supported leadership development and base-building work with grassroots organizations committed to social, racial, and environmental justice, along with gender equity, LGBTQ rights, and education justice in the U.S. South.
Alejandro is also the community editor for Just Media, a national hub supporting emerging storytellers to cover policing and criminal justice reform issues. Alejandro was born in Hidalgo, Mexico and immigrated to Charlotte, NC at a young age. Alejandro obtained his B.A. in Anthropology from Pomona College.
Job Titles:
- Director for Research, Impact and Learning
Amber Moulton leads UUSC's research program, designed to raise awareness about critical human rights issues through partner-based and participatory action research. As the Associate Director for Research in the Programs, Advocacy, and Action Department, Amber develops and manages research to support our strategic work on climate-forced displacement, migrant justice, and disaster justice.
Prior to joining UUSC, Amber was a professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where she taught courses on the histories of race, ethnicity, civil rights, and women's rights in the United States. While there, she helped co-found the multi-campus collaborative Wisconsin Farms Oral History Project, which examines the intersections of race, ethnicity, culture, and place through the lens of Wisconsin farms. She also acted as chair of the College of Letters and Sciences' diversity, equity, and inclusion ("Inclusive Excellence") committee, organized a college-wide faculty training on micro-aggressions, and advocated faculty targeted by conservative news outlets, among other work.
Amber started her professional research career with the National Trust for Historic Preservation after graduating from Gettysburg College and then joined the research firm History Associates Inc., where she investigated a wide breadth of topics including the environmental impacts of uranium mining on Indigenous lands to U.S. banks' investments in the economy of slavery.
She earned a PhD in African American Studies from Harvard University in 2011. She is the author of The Fight for Interracial Marriage Rights in Antebellum Massachusetts and several academic articles on social protest movements in the United States.
Her favorite aspect of research at UUSC is working with grassroots partners to design research projects that advance their goals.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the UUSC Board
April Nishimura has deep experience in non-profit management and community engagement. Most recently, April directed racial equity efforts for the Puyallup Watershed Initiative, a social and environmental nonprofit in Washington state. Prior to this, April directed a grassroots nonprofit that developed the leadership of LGBTQ communities of color. She has a proven history of successfully engaging regional and national networks in addition to helping to form nonprofits boards. April holds an MBA in Nonprofit Management and an MA in Sustainable International Development from Brandeis University, as well as a BA in International Studies from the University of Washington.
Joseph B. Parsons was executive vice president, chief financial, and chief operating officer of Michael Kors Holdings Limited.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the UUSC Board
- Member of the Unitarian Universalists of San Mateo
Rev. Kimberly Quinn Johnson serves as minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Fork on Long Island in Bridgehampton, NY. Her ministry and her preaching encourage us to connect to our most deeply held values so that we can live our faith in the world.
She has a Masters of Social Work, a B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology, an A.S. in Environmental Horticulture, and a certificate in Permaculture Design. She has done social work in many capacities, has taught elementary school music and art, and served in leadership roles in local schools. She recently merged her love of art, organic gardening, and growing edible plants with her reverence for regenerative ecological design to begin a new career as a landscape designer. She specializes in creating environmentally sustainable gardens that incorporate urban agriculture and build community.
Barbara is a member of the Unitarian Universalists of San Mateo where she has served in many capacities and is currently the chair of the Campus Development Task Force which oversees their large building and renovation project. In the 1980s she was involved in the sanctuary movement, and she continues this work today in her own congregation and community. She has served on the Board and has been a tutor for Homework Central, a local organization that provides free tutoring for 3 rd-5 th graders who are at risk of failing. Most recently, she served on the Board of Trustees for the Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministries of California for 5 years.
Barbara began her association with UUSC long before she became a UU through annual contributions because she was impressed by the model of empowerment and partnership embodied in the work of UUSC. She has been a member of the UU President's Council for many years as well as a member of the UUSC Stewardship Council. She and her husband, Charles, received the UUA President's Award for Voluntary Service in 2016.
Job Titles:
- President and CEO of New Hampshire Public Radio
Job Titles:
- Senior Executive
- Senior Executive Assistant & Special Events Project Manager
Brittney Rose is UUSC's Senior Executive Assistant & Special Events Project Manager. Brittney has been at UUSC for four years and is part of UUSC's executive team. Brittney supports UUSC's Board of Trustees, UUSC's President & LEO, Mary Katherine Morn and Vice President & Lead Program Officer, Rachel Freed. She manages and plans events for the board, staff, and the organization. She also manages the planning of three board meetings per year coordinating with staff, vendors, and external partners/supporters of UUSC. She plans staff events such as all staff retreats and social gatherings throughout the year to build on relationships across departments, make connections, and boost staff morale.
Brittney spearheads the planning for UUSC at the Unitarian Universalist Association's annual General Assembly (GA) conference. Brittney collaborates with staff to plan UUSC's annual Human Rights Leadership Award Celebration at GA as well as UUSC's booth at the GA Exhibit Hall. Additionally, she supports the logistics for UUSC at GA and assists staff in hosting workshops.
Previous to UUSC, Brittney was employed for four and a half years at the Earthwatch Institute as a Program Officer and later their Executive Assistant & Development Support.
Brittney completed her undergraduate degree with a major in International Relations at Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts. She studied abroad at Royal Holloway University of London and completed a dual graduate degree program at Suffolk University in International Relations and Public Administration.
Brittney Rose is UUSC's Senior Executive Assistant & Special Events Project Manager.
Job Titles:
- Director of Individual Giving
- Planned Giving and Major Gifts Officer
Carly Cronon works closely with the Director of Individual Giving to ensure that UUSC meets its fundraising objectives for Planned Giving and Major Gifts. With the goal of helping UUSC achieve its human rights mission, Carly builds relationships with current and prospective supporters, designs special events for planned giving donors, and communicates the tax advantages of making a charitable planned gift to UUSC.
A member of UUSC's team since 2015, Carly previously served as the Senior Associate for Congregational Support. In her work to bolster UUSC outreach and fundraising in congregations through programs such as Guest at Your Table, Carly had the opportunity to get to know many of UUSC's dedicated supporters. As UUSC's Planned Giving and Major Gifts Officer, she is excited to continue building relationships with the members who help make our human rights work possible.
Carly received her bachelor's degree in English, Creative Writing, and Education from Colby College. A lifelong Unitarian Universalist, she is passionate about working with others for social change.
As UUSC's Director of Finance, Carol Cahalane oversees day-to-day transactions and budgeting. She also fulfills a host of other responsibilities that include month-end and year-end reporting.
Carol joined UUSC after more than 20 years in nonprofit finance with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and more recently with Goodwill, where she served as the Director of Financial Reporting. She's also volunteered for various charities and served on the board for an animal welfare charity.
Carol has Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and Computer Science from Boston College and a Master of Business Administration from Northeastern University.
Job Titles:
- Vice President and Lead Development Officer
Cassandra Ryan is responsible for establishing and administering UUSC's fundraising policies as well as playing an active role in setting strategy for the organization. As UUSC's Vice President and Lead Development Officer, she leads all aspects of the institution's fundraising.
Prior to her current role, Cassandra managed UUSC's major gifts program and special initiatives campaign. She has worked for social justice throughout her career, with more than 20 years of experience in working with nongovernmental organizations. Before moving to New England and joining UUSC in February 2011, Cassandra lived in New York, where she served as the Director of Major Gifts at the Center for Reproductive Rights, Major Gifts Officer at Millennium Promise, and Assistant Director of Major Gifts at the American Civil Liberties Union. She began her career at Amnesty International, where she worked for 12 years.
Cassandra holds a master's degree in International Political Economy and Development from Fordham University and a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Economics from SUNY Oneonta.
William F. Schulz was designated President Emeritus of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee in spring of 2016 after six years as UUSC's President.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the UUSC Board
Cynthia Totten is a deputy executive director in the Washington, D.C., office of Just Detention International, a health and human rights organization.
Dave Thompson is a technology industry veteran with 34 years of experience, retired from Microsoft as a Corporate Vice President leading product engineering teams.
Since retiring in 2011, he has focused on community service and social impact investing.
Dave has been involved with UUSC since 2012 as a member of the Stewardship Circle and has been an active member of the Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church in Kirkland, Washington since 1993.
Dave has a passion for community, equity, social justice, and opportunity for all - especially children. He currently serves on the boards of Social Venture Partners (SVP) Seattle and Sound Discipline. Sound Discipline partners with educators, organizations, and families to transform schools into equitable learning communities. SVP brings together people in fellowship to dismantle racial and social inequities, share power, learn together, and activate collectively for change.
Dave has also served on the boards of two local Habitat for Humanity affiliates, and in advisory roles for organizations including TEALS (Technology Education and Literacy in Schools), 501 Commons, and at the Electrical and Computer Engineering School at Cornell University, his alma mater, where he earned BS and MEng degrees in Electrical Engineering.
Dave lives in the Seattle, Washington area with his wife Judy, where they love the mountains and the water of the great Pacific Northwest and enjoy cycling, skiing, hiking, kayaking, and boating.
Job Titles:
- Director of Justice Education
As the Director Justice Eduction, Deana manages the College of Social Justice (CSJ), a joint initiative of UUSC and the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Deanna supports UUSC and UUA cross-team collaborations in fulfilling the mission of UUCSJ: "to inspire and sustain effective and spiritually grounded activism for justice."
Deanna is affiliated with the Church of the Larger Fellowship Unitarian Universalist as a community Minister of Love and Liberation and is the founder of Ever Unfolding LLC, a ministry of spiritual accompaniment and creativity for people, congregations, and organizations on the journey toward collective liberation. Part of the design team at the Fahs Collaborative reimagining Beloved Conversations as a virtual experience, Deanna also served as a facilitator for the Un/Learning for Liberation Within cohort and as a congregational coach for the Among Beloved Conversations Virtual program. Before moving to the land of the Coast Salish people in 2018, Deanna served as co-director of the Center for Ethical Living and Social Justice Renewal (CELSJR) and as a community minister for the Greater New Orleans Unitarian Universalists (GNOUU), the UU cluster who ordained her in 2012.
With an Undoing Racism™ analysis rooted in the work of the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond, an Experiential Education and Leadership practicum with Tulane University's Center for Public Service, and Spiritual Leadership Coaching certification with Peace Ministry, Deanna is committed to the call of collective liberation.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate for Service - Learning and Volunteer Placements
Job Titles:
- Development Department & Events Coordinator
Elizabeth is UUSC's Development Department and Events Coordinator. She assists and plans various UUSC events while keeping up with the administrative tasks for the department.
Before joining UUSC's Development team, Elizabeth was working as a travel counselor for Odyssey's Unlimited. Previous to that, she was a high school history teacher in both Boston and Connecticut. In following her passion for teaching and travel, she has taught English in both Thailand and Spain, where she was able to immerse herself both in traveling and the communities in which she lived. She is very excited to be a part of UUSC's Development team helping to intertwine her love for human rights and supporting the department in key events to help present our message to others.
Elizabeth obtained both her Master of Education and undergraduate degrees in Education and History from the University of Connecticut.
Job Titles:
- Senior Digital Fundraising and Membership Engagement Officer
Job Titles:
- Member of the UUSC Team
- Facility and Operations Manager
Ethan Adams, UUSC's Facility and Operations Manager, maintains UUSC's building and operating systems, and serves as the primary interface between UUSC and its tenant organizations. He has played a lead role in increasing the energy efficiency of UUSC's operations.
Ethan has 20 years of experience managing facilities. Prior to working at UUSC, Ethan worked in retail management and served in the United States Air Force at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and Howard Air Force Base in the Republic of Panama.
Ethan has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate for Immersion Learning Programs
As the Senior Associate for Immersion Learning Programs, Gina Collignon develops and supports immersion learning travel programs that connect participants to activists and change-makers in new environments so participants are inspired to join related social justice campaigns in their home communities.
Over the last decade, Gina has worked to understand how experiential education and facilitated travel experiences can most effectively be used to empower individuals and communities to deeply engage with spirituality, justice, and self-development. Prior to joining UUCSJ, she spent several years leading U.S. teenagers on semester-long trips in South America with Where There Be Dragons. She was also the inaugural on-site director for the Princeton Bridge Year Program in Bolivia, a nine-month service gap year program. She served with the Peace Corps for three years in Bolivia and Ecuador.
Gina's love of community and interconnection first manifested as a deep desire to understand our natural world. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Reed College and a joint Master of Science degree in Environment and Resources and Agronomy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Job Titles:
- Associate for Major Gifts
Hannah Moy is responsible for providing assistance to UUSC's Major Gifts unit. As Associate for Major Gifts, she assists with major donor research and stewardship, performs all administrative functions for major gifts, and provides writing support.
Prior to entering this role, she served in UUSC's Development team as the Department Coordinator and the Associate for Foundations and Donor Communications.
Hannah earned a bachelor's degree in neuropsychology and music from Colby College.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator for Congregational Activism
Heather Vickery is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with UU congregations, State Action Networks, past UU College of Social Justice (UUCSJ) program participants and regional staff in order to expand engagement in UUSC and UUCSJ's work. As the Coordinator for Congregational Activism, she manages the workshop offerings and group visits to the UUSC/UUCSJ office and assists with communications for the Activism and Justice Heather is the President of the Board of the First Parish in Malden, Universalist and is an active member of the Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network.
Job Titles:
- Member of the UUSC Board
- Treasurer
- Treasurer of the UUSC Board
- Partner at the Boston
- Partner at the Boston Law Firm
Dave Thompson is a technology industry veteran with 34 years of experience, retired from Microsoft as a Corporate Vice President leading product engineering teams.
Jim Smith is a partner at the Boston law firm, Foley Hoag LLP, where he has practiced since the fall of 1982.
He is a member of the firm's business department, with a principal focus on international mergers and acquisitions (including sustainable yield plantation forestry in the southern hemisphere) and debt financing. Jim is also the chair of Foley's Legal Opinions Committee.
Prior to joining Foley, Jim earned a BA in chemistry and Masters of Public Administration at Drake University and his JD at Harvard Law School. He clerked for the Hon. Gerald Bard Tjoflat on the US Court of Appeals for the 11 th Circuit in Jacksonville, Florida.
In August 2017, Jim married Betsy Gardella, the President and CEO of New Hampshire Public Radio. Betsy is also involved with UUSC as a member of the Communications Committee. Between them, Betsy and Jim have three children: Arthur, a doctoral candidate in economics at Boston University; Aletha, a second year student at Stanford Law School, and Catherine, an aspiring singer, songwriter, and student at Southern New Hampshire University.
Jim and Betsy are members of the UUSC Stewardship Circle and of the First Parish Church in Bedford, Massachusetts.
Job Titles:
- Director of Human Resources
John Howard joined UUSC in March 2022 to lead the Human Resources department. John works closely with the senior leadership team, human resources and administration staff, and external vendors to coordinate all aspects of human resources.
John has a diverse career in the nonprofit industry, including roles in direct care in mental and behavioral health facilities, in-home family therapy work, and clinical leadership positions. During the past 10 years, John supported talent, leadership and organizational development initiatives at Youth Villages, a national leader in behavioral and mental health for children and families. His varied work in HR domains supported steady program growth, strong organizational culture feedback, and excellent clinical outcomes.
John is originally from Maine and holds an undergraduate degree in English Literature from Skidmore College and a master's degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Southern Maine. John is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and earned the Senior Certified Professional credential in July 2020.
Deanna Johnson joined UUSC in 2022 as an Impact Storyteller, developing creative media content that tells the stories of UUSC's partners and the work they do to promote human rights and justice in their communities.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the UUSC Board
In August 2017 Joseph B. Parsons retired after 38 years of experience in private and public finance and operations. Most recently, Parsons was executive vice president, chief financial, and chief operating officer of Michael Kors Holdings Limited, a global luxury fashion brand. His experience includes working with various fashion and apparel companies and KPMG, an international audit and accounting firm.
Parsons is a member of Beacon UU Congregation in Summit, New Jersey, and has had a number of leadership positions including member and President of the Board of Trustees. Parsons earned a master of science in accountancy from the University of Houston and a bachelor's degree from Eisenhower College.
Parsons is also the Treasurer and member of the Board of Trustees of the ACLU of New Jersey and sits on the UUSC Investment Committee.
Anthony B. Pinn is currently the Agnes Cullen Arnold Professor of Humanities and Professor of Religion at Rice University.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate for Congregational Support
Julian Sharp joined the Development team at UUSC in June 2022 as the Senior Associate for Congregational Support. He serves on the congregational engagement team, working to strengthen relationships between the UUSC and UU congregations. Julian manages the Guest at Your Table program, UUSC Sunday, and other congregational philanthropic initiatives.
Julian has spent the last 15 years working in higher education and nonprofit leadership to build justice-centered sustainable communities. His career began as a community organizer for the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, and later at MassEquality in Massachusetts where he organized for marriage equality. For the past decade Julian has served as the Director of Community Outreach at Sterling College, building relationships within the college and between the college and donors, foundations, government, and community groups. Julian was also a member of the faculty at Sterling, where he taught in the Environmental Humanities department. His courses included Community Organizing, Introduction to Race in the USA, Spirituality of Place, and History of Social Movements.
Julian is a graduate of Antioch College where he double majored in Peace & Justice Studies and International Relations. He earned a Master of Divinity at Pacific School of Religion, and a certificate in Higher Education Teaching from Harvard University. He has served as a board member of local and national organizations including the Unitarian Universalist Association, and the Living Legacy Project, an organization that leads civil rights pilgrimages in southern states. An avid photographer, Julian enjoys capturing landscapes and portraits alike. In his down time, Julian enjoys kayaking and hiking in the rivers and mountains surrounding Asheville, NC.
Job Titles:
- Director of Membership and Marketing
Karen Klett is an integral member of UUSC's development department. As Associate Director of Development and Membership, she develops new strategies and enhances existing processes in all of UUSC's donor marketing efforts.
Prior to joining UUSC, Karen worked as the rental housing coordinator at the Newton Housing Authority.
She received her bachelor's degree in History and master's degree in Education from Northeastern University.
Job Titles:
- Director of Individual Giving
Kate Friedman develops comprehensive short-, medium-, and long-term strategies for UUSC's major gifts program and special gift campaigns. As UUSC's Associate Director of Development for Major Gifts, she builds and sustains major donor relationships to ensure the fulfillment of major gifts and special campaign goals.
Prior to serving in her current position, Kate worked as UUSC's Senior Associate for Major Gifts and the special initiatives campaign. Before joining UUSC, she worked in both educational and advocacy fundraising. She served as Director of Annual Giving at the Cambridge School of Weston and a Development Associate at the Center for Reproductive Rights in New York City.
Kate holds a bachelor's degree in Magazine Journalism as well as Women and Gender Studies from Syracuse University. She is very excited to combine her passion for philanthropy and human rights to advance the important work of UUSC.
Job Titles:
- Senior Partnership Officer for Migrant Justice
Lindsey joined UUSC in April 2020 as the Senior Partnership Officer for Migrant Justice, working with grassroots organizations in Central America, Mexico, and the United States. By fostering relationships between organizations and communities, she focuses on supporting shelters and those who defend the right to migrate, in addition to those engaged in sustainable community development to protect the right to stay home.
Lindsey comes to UUSC after more than eight years working in migration and human rights in Mexico. Her previous initiatives include developing education capacity-building workshops for human rights defenders around the country, accompaniment work with Central American migrants in transit, serving as a guest lecturer on language justice, and creating a multilingual justice workshop series with Indigenous community interpreters.
Lindsey did her undergraduate work in Political Science and International Relations at the University of Nebraska, holds a master's degree in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts, and a Certificate in Migration and Governance from the Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas in Mexico City.
She currently lives in Boston, spending as much quality time with her bike and other people's pets as possible.
Job Titles:
- Member of the UUSC Team
- Senior Partnership Officer for Climate & Disaster Justice
Lis-Marie Alvarado serves as the Senior Partnership Officer for Climate & Disaster Justice. Through a reparations and decolonizing grant-making approach, she provides resources to Indigenous & Black frontline organizations that are developing mechanisms that protect Mother Earth, sacred sites, land, water, air, natural resources, and the health of both people and all living things; prevent climate-forced displacement; and build thriving and sustainable communities.
Lis-Marie is a non-profit leader with more than a decade of experience leading multi-issue grassroots organizations to programmatic, administrative, and financial success. Prior to UUSC, she served as executive director of American Friends Service Committee in Florida. She has founded and co-founded various institutions, including Seeds of Resistance, Somos Abya Yala, and the Madre Tierra Collective.
She is an interdisciplinary artist, cultural strategist, popular educator, and community organizer. She is from Nicaragua and has Indigenous & Afro-Latinx roots. Her work, art and praxis address the global climate crisis, dignity for migrants & waged workers, farmworker's rights, food sovereignty, Indigenous feminisms, reproductive justice, and international solidarity.
Taylor Anderson joined UUSC in July 2021 as the Assistant for Partner Support and Grantmaking (PS&G). She is responsible for tracking and processing all grants, as well as providing a range of administrative support to the PS&G team.
Job Titles:
- Member of the UUSC Board
- Vice Chair
- Vice Chair of the UUSC Board
Lynn Miyamoto graduated from the University of California Davis with a bachelor's degree in international relations and a law degree. She has a law practice, Lynn A Miyamoto, PLC, a practical law company focused on immigration. She is a member of Neighborhood Church where she has served on a variety of committees including Stewardship, Ministerial Intern, and People of Color. She currently is co-liaison for the church to Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling, a group that works with the local Department of Children and Family Services for families in the foster care system. She served for several years as the chair for UUSC's Stewardship Circle. Currently, Lynn serves on various nonprofit boards including as the vice president for Family Engagement for California State Parent-Teacher Association (PTA); chairperson of the board of Keiro, which serves older adults in the Japanese American/Japanese community; and Jericho Road Pasadena. She is past president of the Glendale Educational Foundation and First District PTA. She lives in La Crescenta, CA with her husband, Kevin Kroeker. She has two beautiful daughters: Corrina and Saralyn.
Maria Pignataro Nielsen is a recognized thought leader in the global non-profit arena and has a long history of working for social justice organizations.
Job Titles:
- Vice President and Lead Administration Officer
Mack Davidson heads UUSC's Finance and Operations unit. As Vice President and Lead Financial Officer, he plays a pivotal role in UUSC's financial strategy development and business planning. His portfolio also includes oversight of operational and facilities issues.
Mack comes to UUSC with a varied background in the nonprofit and higher education sectors. Previous employers include Harvard University, the University of Massachusetts Boston, and the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City. Prior to arriving at UUSC, Mack completed his second stint at Conservation Law Foundation, where he served as Director of Operations and subsequently Vice President for Finance and Administration.
Mack received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and earned his master's degree in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Prior to joining UUSC, Madeleine begun her social justice advocacy by fundraising for Planned Parenthood and Doctors Without Borders before working as a legal assistant for several years in both the corporate and small business settings. She interned with Mil Mujeres Legal Services, working to help survivors of domestic and sexual violence apply for temporary visas. Additionally, she interned with the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators, working closely with its Sexual Violence Task Force to enhance its relationship with state and local organizations that support survivors and develop more comprehensive policy solutions.
A born and raised Bostonian, Madeleine holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science with a minor in Women and Gender Studies from Bates College. She is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Gender, Leadership, and Public Policy (MPA-GLPP) from the University of Massachusetts, Boston.
Job Titles:
- Director of Partner Support & Grantmaking
Michael Kourabas works across UUSC's programs to maximize the impact of its grassroots partners around the world. In addition to helping oversee UUSC's grantmaking process, Michael has conducted on-the-ground assessments of UUSC's work in Croatia, Greece, Haiti, Nepal, and the Philippines.
Trained as an attorney, Michael has a strong background in human rights law and compliance. In various roles prior to joining UUSC, Michael implemented the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and worked to support the International Criminal Court's investigations in Kenya and northern Uganda. He also helped launch one of the nation's first Business and Human Rights practices at an American law firm.
Michael received his undergraduate with honors from the University of Michigan in 2004, and his law degree from William & Mary School of Law in 2008. Michael is passionate about organizing philanthropy for systemic change. He is part of the Engaged Donors for Global Equity (EDGE) Funders Alliance Global Engagement Lab learning community and sits on EDGE's North American Steering Group. He is also a member of the Cambridge (Massachusetts) Human Rights Commission, to which he was appointed co-chair in 2020.
Madeleine Lachevre joined UUSC in September 2021 to help coordinate the organization's Finance and Administration department. She supports the Vice President and Lead Administration Officer Mack Davidson and works closely with members of the Human Resources and Finance teams to ensure smooth business transactions.
Job Titles:
- Director of Strategic Communications
Mike Givens joined UUSC in June 2018 and leads the communications department, where he manages the organization's brand, media relations, website, social media, and strategic communications planning.
Mike began his career as a freelance journalist and transitioned into social justice advocacy in 2008. He spent nearly six years as a communications specialist for the Service Employees International Union Local 1199 advocating for healthcare workers. He went on to become communications and public relations manager for MassEquality, a statewide LGBTQ rights organization. For more than two years, he led the organization's communications work and helped secure a number of victories, from electing progressive candidates to office to passing a bill codifying legal protections for transgender people in Massachusetts' public spaces. He most recently served as the communications manager for The Hyams Foundation, Inc., a philanthropic organization mobilizing resources for racial equity work in Greater Boston.
Mike is also the assistant editor for The Rainbow Times, New England's largest LGBTQ newspaper, and a contributor to Eastern Bank's Join Us for Good campaign. He hails from Virginia and holds undergraduate degrees in English Literature and Marketing Management from Virginia Tech and a master's degree in Investigative Journalism from Boston University.
Job Titles:
- Senior Partnership Officer for Justice and International Accountability
Job Titles:
- Vice President and Lead Program Officer
Job Titles:
- Resident Scholar and Special Advisor on Justice and Equity
Rev. Jacqueline Brett is Lead Minister of the Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Durham, North Carolina. Her ministry is devoted to making a transformative and equitable difference in the world by taking an active stand for racial equity and collective liberation both within and beyond the congregation's walls.
Job Titles:
- Director of Congregation Relations
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the UUSC Board
- Senior Minister of the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor
Lynn Miyamoto has a law practice, Lynn A Miyamoto, PLC, a practical law company focused on immigration.
Job Titles:
- President & Lead Executive Officer
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- Member of the UUSC Board
Rev. Ned Wight served ten years as executive director of the UU Veatch Program at Shelter Rock and is currently interim senior minister at the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset, NY.
Job Titles:
- Director of Advocacy, Global Displacement
Job Titles:
- Associate for Communications and Research
Job Titles:
- Associate for Donor Services
Job Titles:
- Assistant for Partner Support & Grantmaking
Taylor Anderson joined UUSC in July 2021 as the Assistant for Partner Support and Grantmaking (PS&G). She is responsible for tracking and processing all grants, as well as providing a range of administrative support to the PS&G team.
William F. Schulz was designated President Emeritus of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee in spring of 2016 after six years as UUSC's President.