Our Purpose
The central office staff works to be your partners in ministry and to provide valuable resources to keep Unity’s spiritual communities focused and growing.
Questions? Contact us at 816-524-7414, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CT.
Leadership Team
The Leadership Team is responsible for the day-to-day management of the central office and works to create an inspiring team environment with open communication.
Cathy Christy, Managing Director
Diane Venzera, Director of Services & Resources
Dana Grissom, Director of Operations
Click on names below to see team member profiles
Services, Resources, & Events
Diane Venzera, Director of Services, Resources, & Events
Services, Resources, and Event department works together to create a team environment in order to forward UWM’s purpose. Areas of responsibility include education, credentialing, expansion ministries, ministry consulting and training, member support, ministry development, ministry employment, continuing education, youth & family ministry, and events. The department is made up of the following teams:
Events Team
Areas of responsibility include hosting both virtual and hybrid events, such as the annual convention and summit, focusing on providing a stellar viewing and participation experience that includes the personal connections that are so much a part of our events.
Jen Dickey, Digital Media Specialist
Lori Erwin-Johnson, Continuing Education Program Coordinator
Brenda Hicks-Wiggins, Support Specialist
Joy Perrie,
James Pycior, Technology Manager
Unity Worldwide Spiritual Institute
The Education team supports education that stimulates personal and collective spiritual growth and development and prepares current and future Unity leaders. Areas of responsibility include Unity Worldwide Spiritual Institute (UWSI), Ministerial and Religious Studies, Spiritual Education and Enrichment (SEE), and the Spiritual Direction program. In addition, this team supports credentialed Unity leaders teaching SEE courses for credit. Responsibilities also include creating online webinars, trainings, microlearnings, and digital resources that provide professional development opportunities for our membership. This team also supports the growth and development of Youth & Family Ministry programs through the use of print, digital, and online resources.
Juli Boyd, Enrollment Coordinator (part-time)
Diamond Coleman, Special Projects Coordinator (contract)
Julie Core, IYOU Event Agent (contract)
Lori Erwin-Johnson, Continuing Education Program Coordinator
Rachel Gaither, Young Adult Program Coordinator (contract)
Brenda Hicks-Wiggins, Support Specialist
Indira Huerta, Certificate Program Coordinator
Joni Lorraine, Spiritual Direction Program Coordinator
Erin Morse, Education Specialist
Ray Nelson, M&RS Student and Internship Facilitator/LUT Path Facilitator
Pamela Parker, Instructional Designer (consultant)
Diane Venzera, Youth & Family Ministry Support
Member Support
Areas of responsibility include ministry employment services; development of new and alternative ministries; ministry consulting and trainings; transitional ministry support and consulting; questions and support with regard to bylaws, policies, procedures, and ministry development; ethical questions, concerns, and complaints.
Credentialing
Areas of responsibility include Unity credentialing of ministers and licensed teachers; and Field Path program support.
Lynn O'Dell, Credentialing Coordinator
Denise Boehm, Administrative Assistant
International Ministries
Areas of responsibility include support for international ministries, Spanish-speaking ministries, international ministry credentialing, and translations.
Claudia Maltos-Young, Manager of International Ministries
Carmen-Venus Barega
Operations
The Operations team works together to provide a solid internal infrastructure that supports the central office staff and UWM’s purpose. Areas of responsibility include finance, technology, administration, and human resources. If you live in the Kansas City area, we welcome your volunteer assistance in the office. Please call 816.434.6814.
Dana Grissom, Director of Operations
James Pycior, Technology Manager
Suzi Goldt, Bookkeeper
Diana Kennedy, Development and Engagement Coordinator
Executive Office
Areas of responsibility include the overall directional leadership of the central office staff to accomplish the mission of our association in coordination with the Board of Trustees, ministry teams and the association membership at large and the cultivation of alliances and relationships with other organizations and individuals who support the mission and vision of Unity Worldwide Ministries.
Shad Groverland, President/CEO
Cathy Christy, Managing Director
