Meet Our Board of Directors
Ellen Barron, M.Div. -- Spiritual and Wellness Center Director
Ellen Barron is a licensed and ordained Unity minister with a Master of Divinity. She is a dedicated, high-energy, enthusiastic leader who is committed to transformation through self-awareness, mindfulness, and meditation. She is a strong communicator with excellent listening skills and is dedicated to inspiring, motivating and empowering others on their spiritual journey. As Director, Ellen and her Board of Trustees focus on expanding the center’s wellness programs and partnering with expert health professionals who educate, enlighten, and inspire individuals to knowing their Authentic Self, and find greater peace and ease through that connection.
Mary Butler, Administrator
Having retired in 2013, Mary has over 35+ years in public accounting and management consulting. She holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from N.C. Central University in Durham. Noteworthy are her strong management and organizational skills, where she always explores new and innovative ways to improve business operations through technology, and her ability to provide a structure that others can follow. Mary continually stays connected with wellness center practitioners, she listens carefully and works to deliver a positive, informative, and enriching event. Mary feels passionate about the need to see things differently when you're in this role, to see things broadly, and to be willing to grow and change.
Nancy Smith, Operations & Promotions Support
Nancy holds a B.A. degree from NC State University in Business Management. Retired now, Nancy’s professional background is in commercial real estate appraisal, collateral analysis, and mortgage loan placement privately and with several National Banks. Nancy has a vital role in all aspects of our wellness center from workshop/class conceptualization to event coordination, on-site registration, technology assistance, and administrative support. She also assists in budget and financial reporting, including month-end closings, bank reconciliation, publicity, and promotions support.
Clara Davis, Life / Wellness Coach
Clara is a Licensed Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, and she is also credentialed in Life Coaching. Her talents and skills include providing a calming presence, heart listening, organization, team building, teaching, creating, and facilitating seminars. Clara's other interests include public speaking, small business development, community capacity building, and employing meditation and mindfulness as part of her spiritual practice.
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Clara has been a member of the Unity family since 1979 and a member of UCR since the mid-80s. These teachings have served as a lifeline, particularly in learning that she can really be the change that she wishes to see, and learning how she might be of service to the world. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees and Prayer Ministry Team, along with leading Sunday Morning Meditations. Prior Unity experiences included serving as Prayer Chaplain, Usher, Choir Member, and Greeter.
Jacqueline (Jackie) Gardner, Marketing & Advertising Support
Jackie is an intuitive empath who is committed to being a healer of the heart, body, mind, and soul. Her passion is to touch the heart of those she encounters and to assist them in consciously creating life through the understanding that every thought, word, or action shifts their energy field and creates their experience of life – finding and opening their hearts to unconditional LOVE. As a certified Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki Master Teacher with a direct lineage to Master Usui, Jackie has taught Reiki certification classes and trained over 500 students. She also offers complimentary workshops for meditation, the law of attraction manifesting, and intuitive living tools such as journaling, personal retreats, chakra balancing, and more.
“I believe there are no accidents in life. We draw to us that which we are ready to hear and experience.”
