Unity Leadership Team
Rev. Richard Burdick
Rev. Avril Loy Maynard
All members of the Board of Directors are volunteers elected by the Congregation, with the exception of the Spiritual Leader and Executive Director. The Board of Director Nomination Committee begins accepting applications in October, and the election of Board members takes place during the Annual Business meeting in the first quarter of every year.
The Board operates under the Unity North Bylaws and a set of Policies and Procedures.
Jennie Langer
Board Chair
I was raised in a New Thought church as a child and deeply grounded in those principles. My work in both start-up and global software companies has sharpened and balanced my skills with financial planning, strategic planning, and innovation. My passion is building high-functioning teams, leadership development, and engaged employees. Today I transform my life to self-employment and to Service. I have been a member of the Unity North Finance Committee creating the Capital Update, led an all-volunteer Pledge Committee who raised more than $500,000 in Capital Campaign pledges, helped coordinate Thanksgiving celebrations, and led many small groups at UNA.
Mike Stott
Vice Chair &
Fundraising Chair
Mike Stott has been attending Unity since 1991. He has served as Board President of Windward Unity for 2 three-year terms. He loves Unity North Atlanta and the family it creates. He is a business owner of a successful real estate firm and coaching business. He has been involved as a Unity YOU sponsor, small group (spiritual connections) leader and host. He is currently serving as a member of the UNA finance committee. Always positive and energetic he envisions UNA growing both financially and in the service, we are able to share with our community!
Treasurer
Manny and Maria have been members of Unity North Atlanta since 2013. Both have been volunteers with the Spanish Ministry and continue as volunteers with the Prayer Chaplain Ministry. Manny has held management positions in Government, Technology and Banking industries with roles as a Director, Program Manager, Project Manager and Analyst. He holds engineering and business degrees, enjoys the outdoors and spending time with family and friends. Daughter Isabella is currently a college student in Georgia. Unity North is a place of learning and spiritual growth, with a great sense of community and support. As Treasurer, I will value and honor your Giving to this community in any form, as a demonstration of a Spiritual Principle. With the same care that you Give, we will care of your Giving.
Sylvia Draughn
Secretary
I recently retired from teaching middle school ELA in Paulding County. In addition, I enjoyed 16 years as an international flight attendant with Delta Airlines. My family moved frequently with the army, yet Louisiana is home for me: Geaux Tigers! I have a BA from University of Louisiana Monroe, a MA from Texas Womans University, and an Educational Specialist from Kennesaw State University. Gardening is my passion, and my retreat is my new “She Shed”. My metaphor for life is to “bloom where you are planted”. I surprised myself, when I recently began playing pickleball at the Acworth Community Center.
Ironically cancer brought me to Unity. As many of you know, I am a breast cancer survivor. During that time, one of the most effective therapies for me was my family and friends who eased the day-to-day strain of that time in my life. Those healing relationships and prayers ultimately led me to Unity in Kennesaw; that was fifteen years ago. Since then, I have attended UNA for 12 years and consider this community to be my spiritual home. At UNA I have engaged in many activities and conversations: Finance Committee, Usher, LGBTQ + Friends Ministry, Family Promise, Conscious Living Circle, and campus beautification. Three years ago, I deepened my commitment to UNA during the “Love It or List It” time period. I stepped up and joined a group of core members to develop the Capital Fund Campaign”. I joined others in pledging to the Capital Fund Campaign, and eventually the finance committee. For the past three years, I have begun to understand the behind-the-scenes processes and procedures that keep this church healthy. Financial stability does not have an end date; it requires constant care.
Ray Hughes
Facility Committee Chair
Ray has had for the past 3 years, the privilege to serve his Unity home and family as a member of UNA Board of Directors. He would like his UNA family to allow him to serve for another 3 years. As a member of the Board, he and others have been able to successfully build on the efforts of the Board’s predecessors to fulfill the congregation’s direction of maintaining Unity’s home while honoring Rev Richard’s direction of community outreach. Ray is currently the Facilities Chair and member of the Finance Committee. He is aware of and deeply involved in the efforts needed to advance Unity North not just for the next 3 years but for generations to come. Regardless of the outcome of the election, he will always remain grateful to have been allowed to serve
Judith Johnson
Program Committee
I came to Unity North by “happy circumstance” and found a place of service that suited my personal philosophy and gave me an opportunity to use my skills and connect with like-minded souls who support my growth and expansion. My personal vision is “to give love and receive love wherever I am” and I believe I can do that successfully as a Unity North Board Member. I have been volunteering at and attending Unity North for about 5 1/2 years and have been a contributing member for 4 1/2 years. I am eager to take my “next steps” of service to Unity North and the Community.
Kim Strickland
Policy & Procedure Committee Chair &
Facilities Committee
I am a math educator who currently works online. I have homeschooled my three sons for the last fifteen years. I have a doctorate in natural health. I enjoy traveling, camping, hiking, exercising, playing games, cooking, all aspects of education including learning, and serving my community.
I have attended UNA since 2017. Beginning in 2000, I attended Unity of Kennesaw where I was a board member for six years, youth director, co-leader of the women’s group, and head of the ministerial search committee. My boys participate in the Unikids, Uniteens, and YOU Programs here at UNA. I has actively participated in the Uniteen lessons since Sept 2020 when they were delivered weekly. I served on the Finance Committee and participated in the capital campaign. I also co-led a Spiritual Connections group. I have been helping to prepare the church for reopening by setting up the sanctuary, cleaning closets, and doing whatever is needed. I have helped with food distribution on Wednesdays. I hope to be able to serve the UNA community in a greater capacity by being on the board.
Dr. Rev. Ugie Tindal-Kirkpatrick
Fundraising Committe
Dr. Tindal-Kirkpatrick a professional counselor and ordained minister provides Spiritual Psychotherapy and Inner Image Consulting services. She is a member of many professional organizations, an author, and managing partner with Universal Asset Solutions LLC. She was a featured guest on Oprah and Friends Satellite Radio with Dr. Maya Angelou. Dr. Kirkpatrick holds a PhD from Tabernacle Bible College and Seminary in Tampa, Fla, an MLA and an MEd from the Johns Hopkins University, along with many professional certifications. Diplomate, Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress, she continues to upgrade skills to assist at a critical times such as the present. Her lifeʼs theme, ‘Itʼs all about love’, is the guiding principle in her mission to impart love and compassion to all she meets.”