NOTICE: The upcoming Board Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 21, 2023 will begin with an Executive Session to vote in new Board Members. This session is private and open only to existing and new Board Members. Once this session is complete, the meeting will be open to members as usual. If you plan to attend, please contact us per the info below.

BOARD MEETING | Third Tuesday of Each Month  •  4:00pm  •  Gathering Room

Unity of Naples welcomes all community members to our monthly Board Meeting, where we cover a range of topics including financial, ministry and board reports regarding ongoing activities. We invite members who wish to address the board regarding an agenda item to submit a request to the Board President 24 hours in advance of the meeting, or 2 weeks in advance to request adding an item to the agenda. For all board inquiries, please e-mail [email protected].

President

Mark Russell

sees himself as a child of the world, striving to live his life from a place of love. He is humbled to be in service to his Unity community. He and his amazing wife, Jan, have both found their spiritual home at Unity of Naples.

Favorite Quote:

"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples."
–Mother Teresa

Fun Fact:

It's probably not a surprise that Mark has been accused of being a child at heart.

Spiritual Leader / Senior Minister

Rev. Claudia René

is a gifted teacher of spiritual truth and a modern day thought leader who is passionate about the awakening of humanity to its spiritual magnificence. A contemplative mystic, her unique gift of spiritual expression combines timeless teachings and personal stories to engage and entertain her audience, inspiring individuals to realize their Divinity and to allow happy, joyful, purposeful lives to spring forth from this awareness. FULL BIO

Favorite Quote:

"Love allows all things, trusts all things, embraces all things and thereby transcends all things."
–The Way of Mastery

Fun Fact:

Rev. Claudia's true "sanctuary" is deep in the woods, surrounded by Mother Nature.

Vice President

Pat Igoe

is a true Buckeye, born in Ohio where she went to school and raised her family. She's a mom to three wonderful sons and three beautiful daughters-in-law, and a MeMe to nine perfect grandchildren. She joined Unity of Naples in search of Love and Spiritual Growth – and found both!

Favorite Quote:

"Never discount the wonder of tears. They can be healing waters and a stream of joy. Sometimes they are the best words the heart can speak."
–William Paul Young

Fun Fact:

One of Pat's greatest joys is having her young adult grandchildren visit her here in Naples. Oh, and she also loves happy hours with friends!

Treasurer

Ciro Amato

is a local business owner for over 30 years. He's been a member of Unity of Naples for 11 years and his life continues to grow. He absolutely loves serving – not only his business community, but his spiritual one as well.

Favorite Quote:

"All that we see is but a Dream within a Dream."
–Edgar Allan Poe

Fun Fact:

Ciro wakes up every day with a smile on his face. :)

Secretary

Ashley Pennebaker

is a proud father of three, grandfather of eight, and great grandfather of one. He built a $40 million dollar company with customers including Lowes’s, Home Depot and Costco. He also set up a woodworking studio for former president Jimmy Carter, taught him how to use the tools, and had the privilege of deep one-on-one conversations with him.

Favorite Quote:

"Love in a way that allows the person you love to feel free."
–Thich Nhat Hanh

Fun Fact:

Ashley has been a pilot, Formula 2000 race car team owner and driver, bicycled the 442-mile Natchez Trace, and has ridden a Harley up and down the Pacific Coast Highway.

Board Member

Ateeka Contee

is a couples relationship therapist and yoga teacher. She was born and raised in India, where she developed her passion for yoga/Ayurveda. She's also a featured writer for Counseling Today magazine, where she speaks about the absence of cultural competencies in the mental health industry.

Favorite Quote:

"Be the change you want to see in others."
–Mahatma Gandhi

Fun Fact:

Ateeka is deathly afraid of small lizards and water. She has consistently learned to lean into her fear, so she moved to Florida to have consistent exposure therapy with the lizards and is now taking swimming lessons at the local YMCA.

Board Member

Linda Culotta

is a Mortgage Loan Originator and Branch Manager who has had the privilege and honor to help many families become homeowners and also to do it within their budgets. The reviews and thank you notes she has received throughout her career have brought much joy to her life. Being able to work with Unity members to help this community grow spiritually and monetarily is a true blessing.

Favorite Quote:

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
–Matthew 7: 7-8

Fun Fact:

Linda has owned many businesses which she loved. However, owning a Disco (Disco Inferno) in the late 70’s was her absolute favorite.

Board Member

Dennis Sanders

is overjoyed to serve once again on the Unity of Naples Board of Trustees, having served twice before for a total of 6 years. He has been a Unity member for over 35 years, with 10 years served at Unity of Naples. He is a local business owner, an Ambassador of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, and a member of Rotary International.

Favorite Quote:

"Don't look back."
–Margarita W. Sanders-Sabbath

Fun Fact:

Dennis is a music-lover, enjoys reading prose and poetry (think Gibran), and is a big University of Michigan fan. Go Blue!