BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SUSAN HARP PRESIDENT
Susan has been a regular at Unity of Kansas City North for approximately 20 years, having updated and reinstated her membership in 2013. Since rejoining our spiritual community, Susan has played a major role – particularly in our music ministry. She has served as choir director, vocalist, pianist and music co-leader for our annual Women’s Retreat for many years.
Susan accepted a partial term that became vacant earlier this year and says she has greatly enjoyed her time on the Board these last 6 months and she is “excited about the possibilities that lie ahead for the church.” She says, “Our church is growing, and as we grow new areas of expansion and opportunity also emerge. I feel called to rise as a leader in this time as we continue to navigate the pandemic...”
Susan also brings valuable work experience from her years working at the University of Kansas Cancer Center & UMKC. This includes 25 years of grant development, budget creation, fiscal management and administrative experience. She has also run her own small business (yoga studio) and worked on the non-profit side in theatre and opera.
Susan accepted a partial term that became vacant earlier this year and says she has greatly enjoyed her time on the Board these last 6 months and she is “excited about the possibilities that lie ahead for the church.” She says, “Our church is growing, and as we grow new areas of expansion and opportunity also emerge. I feel called to rise as a leader in this time as we continue to navigate the pandemic...”
Susan also brings valuable work experience from her years working at the University of Kansas Cancer Center & UMKC. This includes 25 years of grant development, budget creation, fiscal management and administrative experience. She has also run her own small business (yoga studio) and worked on the non-profit side in theatre and opera.
tommy carter VICE PRESIDENT
Tommy began attending UKCN in spring of 2016. Since that time, Tommy has served as a leader of our Events Team, making sure that our Thanksgiving Gratitude Dinners, End of Summer Celebrations, Spring Family Fiesta, and many other events are a special time for all who attend. You’ll also recognize Tommy from his musical talents, as he has played guitar, drums, and shared his vocal talents with us at many services. He and Ruth also facilitated our VibeAlive drumming circle for quite some time.
When considering the question of what motivates him to serve on the Board of Trustees, Tommy says, “I am called to help our church move through these turbulent times in our world today and grow in love and in numbers.” He says he enjoys being a “big kid” and love to help out where he can with creativity, zeal, love, and acceptance of all.
When considering the question of what motivates him to serve on the Board of Trustees, Tommy says, “I am called to help our church move through these turbulent times in our world today and grow in love and in numbers.” He says he enjoys being a “big kid” and love to help out where he can with creativity, zeal, love, and acceptance of all.
LINDA ANDERSON TREASURER
Linda has been attending Unity of Kansas City North since the summer of 2014. She became a member in April 2015, and has been active in numerous groups and activities ever since. She was heavily involved with the Family Promise Team from the beginning and has also served for several years with our special Events Team. Linda currently also takes care of all the recycling here at UKCN. She has attended various classes over the years and has attended the Women’s Retreat the last three years.
When considering the question of what motivates her to serve on the Board of Trustees, Linda says, “I have been a member here for 4+ years. This family has assisted me in my personal, spiritual and mental growth. It is my turn to give back to a family which has given me a blessed, loved, and amazing life.” She continues to explain, “In my career, I have been involved with building, mentoring and inspiring teams to prosper. I enjoy supplying people with the tools, inspiration and guidance to accomplish a goal. I also love to ‘get in the weeds’ and work with a team.”
When considering the question of what motivates her to serve on the Board of Trustees, Linda says, “I have been a member here for 4+ years. This family has assisted me in my personal, spiritual and mental growth. It is my turn to give back to a family which has given me a blessed, loved, and amazing life.” She continues to explain, “In my career, I have been involved with building, mentoring and inspiring teams to prosper. I enjoy supplying people with the tools, inspiration and guidance to accomplish a goal. I also love to ‘get in the weeds’ and work with a team.”
SHAWN RYAN SECRETARY
Shawn has been attending UKCN for several years and took the step into formal membership in 2019. Since that time, she has been very active in our community, having taken over the management of our Reflections Bookstore in 2019. She also played a vital role on the Exploration Committee in 2020 and 2021, and was on the “Joy-Filled and Grateful” fundraiser team earlier this year. Shawn also serves as an usher on Sundays a couple of times a month. Over her time here, Shawn has taken several classes and enjoys attending the Women’s Retreat each year.
In her professional life, Shawn has served in leadership roles for many years and directed teams
of employees, led projects, and served on boards of various professional associations. She says she is inspired to serve on the board here because, “I love the people of UKCN and I really want to contribute more to the future success of this wonderful place.”
In her professional life, Shawn has served in leadership roles for many years and directed teams
of employees, led projects, and served on boards of various professional associations. She says she is inspired to serve on the board here because, “I love the people of UKCN and I really want to contribute more to the future success of this wonderful place.”
Ed Rippee member-at-large
Ed has been a member of UKCN since 2010, and has served our spiritual community through singing in the choir, being a Y.O.U. facilitator, and teaching a Bible introductory class.
Ed's decision to run for the Board of Trustees stems from “A desire to become more involved in the ministerial life of UKCN in order to share my education, training and spiritual desire for growth, to help teach in order to learn twice over, and to lend any expertise I may have garnered from my years as a lay minister as well as a business owner.”
He feels he can serve the Board through his ability to listen, problem-solve and compromise; and also through a love for humanity that allows him to get along with most people and express thoughts in an authentic way.
Ed has previously held leadership roles in real estate organizations, and has served as Director of Religious Education/Youth Ministry in the Catholic Church before coming into Unity.
Ed's decision to run for the Board of Trustees stems from “A desire to become more involved in the ministerial life of UKCN in order to share my education, training and spiritual desire for growth, to help teach in order to learn twice over, and to lend any expertise I may have garnered from my years as a lay minister as well as a business owner.”
He feels he can serve the Board through his ability to listen, problem-solve and compromise; and also through a love for humanity that allows him to get along with most people and express thoughts in an authentic way.
Ed has previously held leadership roles in real estate organizations, and has served as Director of Religious Education/Youth Ministry in the Catholic Church before coming into Unity.
DEBI OVERTON MEMBER-AT-LARGE
The Board of Trustees holds an open meeting the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM. Due to the pandemic these meetings are currently being held on Zoom. If you have an item you would like to have included on the agenda, please email Rev Myra or our current Board President, Ed Rippee, no later than the 2nd Tuesday of the month.