Our Leadership Team
Meet the Staff
Rev. Richard Burdick
Diane Glynn
Meet the Board of Directors
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
& Fiance Committee 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.
Ray Hughes
Vice Chair
& 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
Mike Stott
Treasurer
& Finance Committee 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!
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.
Dr. Rev. Ugie Tindal-Kirkpatrick
Fundraising Committee Chair
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.”
Stacey Jackson
Marketing Committee Chair
I am lucky to have many of my dreams and goals come true and being part of a spiritual family like Unity is one of them! I’ve been Director of Client Relations for three companies and founded and run a successful clothing company. My current passion is my Writing, Marketing & PR venture Scriptura Consulting. I love what I do and have been fortunate enough to work with a presidential candidate, Adidas Y-3, and Telluride Mountain Film Festival among many others. I co-owned a spiritual gift boutique in San Francisco where where I earned a Master’s Degree in Writing & Consciousness; was fortunate to be an award-wining playwright, actor, and modern dancer; served on the board of the Playwright’s Foundation and was an adjunct professor. I absolutely love being Mommy (Room Mom & Soccer Mom) to my 10 year old son who I learn and laugh with every day. Unity has done so much to enrich and improve our lives, I wanted to contribute in a meaningful way so, in addition to events and Family Promise, have been honored to serve on the Marketing Committee this year and recently taken on the role of Marketing Lead. Volunteering is a value for me and I would like to deepen my service to Unity by serving on the Board and offering my leadership and marketing skills to support Unity’s vision, its growth and goals, while growing relationships and lifting us up with Love and Light!
Terry Seek
Policy & Procedure Committee Chair
Terry organized and grew the NGU, a group of young adults who assisted many other ministries with various projects and hosted some of their own including Super Happy Fun Day, a two-day event which raised money to build a new playground for our children’s ministry. Terry is also a member of our Ministry Leadership Team and has been an active Prayer Chaplain for the last two years. Terry has many leadership skills acquired over the years through his military training in the U.S. Navy, management roles, and being a business owner that he would like to put to use here in our community to ensure that it is here for many generations to come. Unity is home, this is family, and Terry looks forward to continued opportunities to serve.
David Pritchard
Program Committee Chair
David is the proud papa of 3 children and two grandchildren. He is active in volunteer work including Wellstar hospice, The Compassionate Friends, and the Survivors of Suicide. His youngest son, Nic, died by suicide in 2012. His professional life has been quite varied, from Restaurant/Hotel Manager to Massage Therapist, to Vocational Rehabilitation Case Manager, and now to Digital Marketing. He has a BA degree in Psychology and an MS degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Georgia State University along with his massage therapy training from the Atlanta School of Massage. David has been a leader with the Men of Unity, has volunteered continuously for Family Promise, and currently serves as an Usher Captain. David has previously served as a Prayer Chaplain, a Nursery Guide, has been on the Nominating Committee and Ministerial Search Committee, has hosted and facilitated numerous small groups, led Wednesday night meditations and has assisted with care and decoration of our facility.
Ella Star
Program Committee Co-Chair
Ella Noelle Star has spent her time from 2002 on in diving into her depths of healing herself so she may bring healing to others. She experienced “traumas” in her life and has found a way to see and own her light by learning from her “dark times”, seeing them with new perspectives, love, and forgiveness. Since her awakening, she began to share her awareness with others helping them heal, grow and learn from their “dark times” as well. Since 2008, Ella has been assisting those who desire change, who know there is a better way but are unsure how to get there. She is a Spiritual Life Coach, Channel Reader, Intuitive, Reiki and Karuna Ki Reiki Master and an Ordained Minister through Universal Life Church. Ella applies and strengthens her skills at Unity North by being of service to Family Promise, leading Wednesday night discussions, Spiritual Connections, Ushering and continually stepping up where she feels she is needed. She finds joy in reminding people just how beautiful and incredible they are, and that no matter the past you are and always will be an amazing light. Ella holds that, sees it for you and looks forward to the times you see it in yourself.