Board of Trustees: Julie Russell, Paul Kellogg, Beth Lamb, Gary Johansen, Rev. Cynthia Leveque
Julie Russell: President
Julie Russell M.S.
Masters from Drake, Adult Learning, Training and Development.
I’ve been at Unity two years. I really like connecting with like-minded people at Unity and I am inspired by Unity because it’s a place for me to grow personally.
My hobby is bike riding and I like to be active. I have two adult kids I’m extremely proud of. My favorite thing about Des Moines is the number of bike trails.
Paul Kellogg: Vice President
Beth Lamb: Treasurer
Beth Lamb: I am an Iowa native, born and raised in the Cedar Rapids area. I'm a financial analyst and I enjoy going to the theatre and spending time at the gym. I am ready and willing to serve this community.
Gary Johansen: Secretary
Gary Johansen: In order to receive you must first release your gifts freely. I've learned that the path to becoming a responsible elder in a community involves service. I grew up in Des Moines but chose to raise my 3 children and pursue my career out West for 30 years. I am “home” again for 10 years now. I am ready to offer 40 years of business experience as well as many years Association with various spiritual communities. I'm excited to become part of the Unity Center's board and promise to serve with integrity, creativity, and most importantly, a sense of humor.
Spiritual Council Members:
Rev. Cynthia Leveque, Rev. Melissa Harris & Mavis Curry
MAVIS CURRY
Mavis Renee Curry has been studying and teaching self awareness, mindfulness and metaphysics for over fifteen years. She has been a student, teacher and director of the School of Metaphysics for the past nine years and currently holds a position as Area Director and Secretary of the Board. She is completing her Homo Divinus, psi counseling and ministerial certifications in May of 2019.
Mavis received her degree in Information and Computer Science from Georgia Tech and holds certifications in business leadership, coaching, counseling and other healing practices. Her professional career included Software engineering, Sales, Marketing, and Business Development. She retired from Corporate America after 40 years to follow her dream of improving the quality of life of humanity through discipline, teaching and service.
She is a conscious evolution coach and teaches and lectures on how to increase self awareness, make better choices and live a more fulfilling life. Her goal is to build in herself and aid others to recognize the capacity to create a contagious personal heaven that infects everyone.
Rev. Melissa Harris
Melissa received her undergrad degree in Psychology from Iowa State University and an M.S. in Counseling from Wayne State. Her professional career has included social services administration, conservatorship law, and insurance. Ordained as an Interfaith Minister in 2017, following study in Comparative Religions and Mysticism, she is currently pursuing a Master’s of Divinity through All Faiths Seminary International.
A lifelong seeker of wisdom and meaning, Melissa believes the way to live fully is to intentionally and equally embrace our humanity and our divinity.
Melissa is married to Tim Harris. They live in Urbandale, Iowa, are avid sports fans, and enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, and any time spent out in nature.