UNIFY SEDONA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Chuck joined the Unify board in September of 2022 and brings a wealth of experience in the non-profit arena. He earned a Phd in psychology at Michigan State University and served in the capacity of college chancellor in several states. He has been active in helping boards meet their missions in effective and measurable ways, and has a strong commitment to strategic planning. Chuck is a founding member and was elected president of Continuos Improvement Quality Network. He relocated to Sedona in 2018 and has become active with Northern Arizona Restorative Justice as well as serving on the board of directors at the Sedona Arts Center.
Job Titles:
- President of the Board of Directors
Jan has a long and successful history of educating children and teachers. Her varied roles as teacher, supervisor, counselor, principal and director of student services in urban, suburban and rural settings have brought her broad experience and depth of understanding the crucial issues that face children in our diverse society. She earned a BS in Ed., MEd in Administration and Psychology, and is a Professional Fellow in Community Management from Case Western Reserve University. Jan has lectured in universities in China, Japan, Central America and the United States to help professional educators learn how to assess, address and serve children's unique and differentiated needs. In England, she presented a scholarly paper at Oxford University. Jan moved to Sedona in 2005 and is a founding member of Northern Arizona Restorative Justice. She has worked with the local public schools and is a founding member of Unify Sedona...a rainbow alliance where she served as secretary and is current president. Jan is trained in Heart Centered Hypnotherapy and her interests include child and animal welfare, reading, lifelong learning and relaxing with family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- He / Him
Lou joined the board in May, 2021. Lou is an Arizona native, having grown up in Flagstaff and graduated from Northern Arizona University with a major in German and a minor in Women and Gender Studies. Although he currently resides in Portland, Oregon, his passion for LGBTQ+ advocacy in AZ is lifelong, and he is thrilled to be able to contribute to Unify Sedona as a remote board member. Lou is the former vice-president (and interim president) of Northern Arizona Pride Association, former president of PRISM, NAU's LGBTQ student organization, and currently runs a Transgender Employee Resource Group (ERG) and operates as a Diversity and Inclusion Ambassador in the tech sector in Portland, Oregon. In his spare time, you can find Lou exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest or hiking around Northern Arizona.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- She / Her
Marie is a longtime educator with multiple degrees In languages and literature as well as a Ph.D in Applied Linguistics. She has trained teachers at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Germany, Egypt and the United States. In retirement now, her focus is on women's education and safety, LGBTQ advocacy and voter rights and education. Marie has served as treasurer for Unify Sedona. She also serves on the board of University Women of Sedona and the board of the League of Women Voters of the Greater Verde Valley. She volunteers at Twice Nice, which supports the Verde Valley Sanctuary. Marie is a founding member of Unify Sedona and has loved Jazz since 7th grade.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer of the Board of Directors
Rachael joined the Unify Sedona board in October, 2021. She is a native of the Pacific Northwest and served in the United States Air Force. Her practice for 25 years as a dental hygienist included pediatric surgery and dentistry for countries in need and volunteerism for the SmileMobile, treating children with special needs. Once settled in Sedona, Rachael realized her passion for teaching in a Montessori classroom. She is currently a facilitating teacher at Sedona Charter School. An advocate for human and animal rights as well as protecting the environment, she is also an avid reader and loves to hike in this area or anywhere.
Samyo Shannon is a long time resident of Sedona and has strong interests in international cultures. He has always been involved with Fine Arts and Design. Samyo has worked as an event planner and on décor for many local organizations, including the Sedona International Film Festival, Verde Valley Sanctuary and Verde Valley Caregivers. Samyo is a passionate supporter of human rights in all forms and has been involved as a contributor with the formation of Unify Sedona since its beginning. He feels the importance of promoting and educating our greater community about LGBTQ rights and issues.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisors to the Board
- She / Her
Suzie came to Sedona from New York City, where she enjoyed a long career as a performer, singer and songwriter. She started the non-profit Sedona Performing Arts Alliance to support the performing arts in our local area.. Suzie was instrumental in the opening of the Studio Live venue in Sedona and loves watching how live performance can connect communities and lift the young while energizing the adult community. She believes in adhering to a strong belief that the performing arts are crucial to the fabric of every community and continues to advocate to that end. Suzie is a founding member of Unify Sedona and sees the value in the inclusion of all LGBTQ and Allies to effect positive change in our community.
Job Titles:
- Secretary of the Board of Directors
Tracey comes to Unify Sedona as a founding member with 30 years' experience in community building and organizing. She's worked as a nonprofit consultant for Yavapai County as well as statewide nonprofits including the Verde Valley Sanctuary, Arizona Myeloma Network, Prescott Area Leadership, Arizona Business & Education Coalition, and First Things First. Tracey has also served as a philanthropic advisor for the Arizona Community Foundation; projects director and coordinator for Youth Count; project director for Arizona State University's Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Management; and volunteer coordinator for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. An Arizona native, she holds a bachelor's degree in Intercultural Communication from ASU. Tracey grew up in Phoenix and moved to this area more than 20 years ago. She raised her son in Chino Valley, Prescott, and Cottonwood. Most recently she served as an advisor to the Unify Board of Directors. Tracey's interests are social justice, serving vulnerable populations, the LGBTQ+ community, facilitating positive collective change for tough social issues.