Board of Trustees
ERUUF is governed by a nine-member Board of Trustees elected by the Fellowship and follows a policy-based governance model. Under policy-based governance, the Board of Trustees serves as representatives of the congregation and both gives voice to the vision and mission of ERUUF as well as writes the basic governing policies of the organization.
Ann Verdine-Jones - Chair
Term: 2023-26
I have been a member of ERUUF since 2019. My wife, Lisa Jones, and I moved to Durham from Savannah, GA, and, while I was uncertain how to name or define my spirituality, we desired a welcoming environment that supported free thinking. acknowledged varied spiritual journeys, and championed causes and initiatives with the mission of making the world a better place. We have found all of our ideals and more at ERUUF. Since joining, I have been a member of the Multicultural team, Adult Programs, Theory of Change Committee and am currently the co-lead for the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color group.
Elizabeth Ault - Trustee
Term: 2026-29
My family came to Unitarian Universalism when my mom (now a member of MVUC in Alexandria, VA!) was searching for a spiritual home that would honor her choices as a divorced mother. At the DuPage UU Church in suburban Chicago, I watched the filmstrips back when OWL was still About Your Sexuality, and planned an incredible Con with my lifesaving youth group comrades at Main Line Unitarian Church outside Philadelphia. For many years after that, I described myself as “a lapsed UU,” focusing my spirituality mostly through tarot, astrology, and other witchy channels, which are still important to me.
Crystal Burroughs - Trustee
Term: 2024-27
My wife Rose and I started attending ERUUF in November of 2016 and joined as members in 2017. Most have known me during this tenure as Don Burroughs. In March of 2023 I came out to family and friends as transgender and started my transition in December of 2023. At ERUUF my volunteer activity has included co-leading the Food Delivery program bringing donated food from grocery stores to the IFC shelter and food pantry.
addison evans - Trustee
Term: 2026-29
My name is addison a. evans, and my pronouns are they/them/theirs. I’m a disabled Black, trans, and agender UU socialist who has been attending ERUUF for the past seven years. My life goal is to achieve bodily autonomy for all people because I believe achieving that will open up so many possibilities for everyone and allow us to create and live in a more just and equitable society. I’m an avid traveller and love to explore new places but I’m a Southerner through and through. Ice cream is the best dessert, and no one does sweet tea, lemonade, and biscuits better than the south.
Steve Hall - Trustee
Term: 2024-27
Steve Hall joined ERUUF in 2013, shortly after he and his wife, Susan Green, relocated from Charlotte. Steve had a long career in public education, which began with teaching 5 years in a high poverty school in Brooklyn, NY. He soon realized that addressing the profound moral and educational inequities in the schools where he worked was his passion and his professional mission. Toward that end, he earned his MS in curriculum design and pursued training and licensure in school administration. Steve went on to serve many years as a special services coordinator and eventually found his ultimate calling as a principal, working over 20 years turning around underperforming schools in Charlotte, NC. Years of successful impact in that role led him to be offered a position training urban school principals for a national organization.
Christy Ihlo - Trustee
Term: 2024-27
Christy Ihlo joined ERUUF in 2023 after returning to the Triangle. She grew up UU in a congregation outside of Atlanta. After not having participated in a fellowship for years, she was immediately interested in ERUUF’s many avenues to support the broader community. She currently serves as the Budget Coordinator for the Justice Ministry Council, actively participates in Earth Justice and Shelter-Homeless Action Group activities, and is a member of a Chalice Circle. Christy has worn a lot of hats in the world of non-profit work and is currently the Deputy Director of the UNC Environmental Finance Center. She loves living in Carrboro and is engaged in local, state, and national election work. She enjoys sustainable crafting and a good jigsaw puzzle in her spare time.
Heather Ladd - Trustee
Term: 2025-26
Heather has been a member of ERUUF since 2017. She is drawn to ERUUF's commitment to being a community of care, mutual respect, inclusiveness, and love. She previously served on the Board of Trustees as Secretary, the Nominating Committee, and the Justice Ministry Council.
Professionally, she is a Senior Statistician for the University of California, Irvine. In her free time, she tends a thriving but rebellious garden, studies martial arts as a brown-black belt in To Shin Do and a blue belt in Jiu Jitsu, maintains a regular Zen meditation practice with the Chapel Hill Zen Center, and enjoys spending time with her spouse, their dog, and two cats.
Sarah Ward - Trustee
Term: 2026-29
Sarah is grateful to be a Unitarian Universalist — a faith she has held close since discovering it at age 13 after being born into the Catholic Church. First becoming involved through regional youth spiritual conferences in New Hampshire and Vermont, where she served for many years as a worship coordinator. Her commitment deepened through organizing with the Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU), shaping a lifelong connection to the faith.
Today, her spiritual practice continues through her sobriety and her work mentoring women in recovery from substance abuse. She also empowers young people through music and creative exploration with Girls Rock NC. Professionally, she manages and leads a team in the real estate sector, where she guides with compassion, empathy, and clarity. Integrity is the core of her leadership and personal values.
Serving on the Board of Trustees is a natural extension of her deep commitment to community, justice, and shared spiritual growth.
Barbara Welanetz - Trustee
Term: 2023-26
I joined ERUUF in 2015, just after retiring. I quickly joined Eno River Singers and the Chalice Circle/Covenant Group program, for which I have long been a group leader and coordinating team member. I have also served ERUUF as a signage system designer, greeter, gardener and volunteer for many special events, most recently the 2500 Hours of Love project and Rev. Brett's installation. I bring to the board my long-range planning and project management experience as a facility planner for Mass. General Hospital and UNC, and my communications skills honed as a marketing consultant for design organizations. I live in Old West Durham with my spouse, Peter Welanetz.
Rev. Jacqueline Brett, Lead Minister
- Role: Ex-officio Member
