Meet Our Board of Trustees

I feel called to be part of the Unity Board at this time because there is so much opportunity for growth. I’m excited about the expanded reach of our community. I bring the experience of having served on two non-profit boards of the Minnesota Organization Development Network (4 years) and Awesome Women (5 years). I thoroughly enjoyed being able to contribute my skills and talents as well as working collaboratively with my colleagues to lead and guide the organizations during times of major growth.

Jeanne Smith has been a member of Unity Minneapolis since 2015. Now retired, her work experience included contract administration and corporate governance. She utilized these skills as a past member of the Finance Committee. She currently serves on the Bylaws Committee, is a member of the Office Angel team and co-leads the Usher and Welcomer team. She joined the Board of Trustees in October 2024 and believes her unique set of skills and experience will be a benefit to our community. She remembers being warmly welcomed on her first visit to Unity Minneapolis. Jeanne strives to manifest our mission that all feel welcome, included and inspired. "Being a part of Unity Minneapolis continues to transform my life. I want to support that transformation in others." Jeanne and her husband, Mike, live in Eden Prairie.

Michael Showalter has been attending Unity Minneapolis since 1991. Both of his daughters were baptized at Unity, and his spouse, Tori, has shared her gifts with the community as a yoga instructor. Throughout his career, Michael advanced from sorting paper as a high school graduate to executive-level leadership in national and global business. His professional experience includes growth, marketing, communications, inspiring teams, and servant leadership, along with service on secular, policy, and nonprofit boards. Michael brings a deep appreciation for the diverse experiences of others and the challenges that often go unspoken. He feels especially connected to Unity Minneapolis’ values of transformation, welcoming, and joy, and believes that creating a transformed world begins with the work we do here and now. As Treasurer, Michael is committed to serving a community he loves and supporting its continued growth.

Since joining Unity Minneapolis in 1985, inspired by my sister's experience in Austin, I've found a spiritual home where I learned the importance of God's guidance in and around me. I became a member in 1987 and have cherished the inclusive spirit and the message that we can live each day fully. Serving as an usher, in hospitality, and in outreach, I've enjoyed organizing events for community support. In 2014, I became a Prayer Chaplain, deepening my faith through service. Now, I'm excited to contribute to the Board, furthering my commitment to our community.

I joined Unity Minneapolis in 2015, drawn by its sense of belonging and unity. Since then, I've actively contributed, including leading bookstore initiatives, organizing events, and volunteering at community functions. My background in nonprofit work and library management has honed my skills in communication, organization, empathy, and strategic planning. I'm eager to apply these talents to support our community's upcoming facility transformation and beyond.

Unity Minneapolis has been my spiritual home since 2008. In my time here, I have taken numerous classes, leadership sessions, and served as a volunteer on numerous teams. Currently, I’m a member of the Facilities Transformation team, working to transform our physical space and technological capabilities. I am happy to to take on board membership at Unity Minneapolis. I will bring a wealth of disability rights advocacy, curiosity, relationship building and communication skills to my role as a board member.

Rev. Pat is committed to supporting individuals in growth as well as transformation through Unity principles. Before coming to Unity Minneapolis, he served as minister to congregations in Kansas City, MO; Evanston, IL; and Cincinnati, OH. He was a board member of the Association of Unity Churches, is past chair of Unity Worldwide Ministries, and is the former chair of Unity World Headquarters at Unity Village.