As a self-governing religious organization, the congregation holds the Board of Directors accountable through the election process. With input from the congregation, the Board is responsible for the fiscal well-being of the church; building and grounds maintenance; and all bylaws and policies that form the basis of church governance. 

Service terms follow UUCR’s fiscal year: July 1 – June 30. Board members serve two-year terms, staggered for continuity. Each year at UUCR’s Annual Meeting, new board members are elected to replace those who have completed their terms.

Board Members

Cindy Lollar, President

Cindy (she/her) moved from the D.C. area to Roanoke with her wife Greta in 2020. A spiritual seeker but long unchurched, she has found in UUCR a place in which to continue asking the big questions in the company of an extraordinary group of ordinary people unafraid to take a chance on meaningful change. She retired in 2021 after a 40-year career in communications and now focuses on creative writing, collage, and enjoying life with Greta in the Blue Ridge mountains.

Nate Jones, VP Finance

Nate has been a member of UUCR for 3.5 years and has served on the worship associate’s team and has helped out on the facilities team as well. He has an undergraduate degree in Accounting IT and a masters in Healthcare Administration, and has worked for 11 years at Carilion as an administrator overseeing Simulation and Human Factors (which he is happy to explain, if asked). He and his wife Kate have lived in Roanoke for 20+ years and have two “chalice children”, Jake and Emma. 

Kathy Kaknes, Board Clerk

Kathy has been a member at UUCR for the past 2 years and a UU in other states (MA, NH, FL, SC, HI) off and on over the last 38 years. Kathy enjoys volunteering with fellow UUs at RAM House and Family Promise, as well as on the UUCR  Kitchen Crew, Usher and Nursery Teams. She looks forward to participating in the upcoming Roanoke Justice Ministries. Kathy is a retired elementary school teacher from York, Maine and moved to Roanoke to live near her 2 sons and granddaughter. She also has a daughter in NH. She loves reading, yoga, being outside, family and dog time, and playing pickleball. 

Betty Burke, Member at Large

Betty was an active member of the UUCR from 1987-2003, where she served on the Ministerial Relations Committee and sang in the choir. She happily returned last year and participates in the Living the Questions group. She enjoyed a 40 year career in community mental health services as well as a private counseling practice. She lives with her husband, Bob Crawford, and enjoys hiking, birding, traveling and participating in several book groups, including UUCR’s Living the Questions.

Teresa Poole, Member at Large

Teresa (she/her) has been an active member of UUCR for several years, including service with the Worship Associates, the Nominating Committee, the Racial Justice Team, and the Personnel Committee.  Teresa retired in 2023 as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker from Carilion Clinic following work at the Cancer Center, end of life care, and acute medical services.  In addition to volunteering with UUCR, the Roanoke Reparations Group and community racial justice work, she enjoys her book clubs, reading, decorating, cooking, travel and Roanoke’s many cultural opportunities in our beautiful Blue Ridge mountains.

Suzi Newton, Member at Large

Suzi (she/her) discovered the UU Church of Augusta, GA, when she was 17 years old. She has been a member of various UU congregations around the nation, including Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware in Lewes, DE, where she and her wife Judy are charter members. Suzi and Judy have been members of UUCR for more than 20 years. Suzi has served previously on the Board and on a variety of committees and teams. A Licensed Professional Counselor, Suzi retired in 2021 from Blue Ridge Behavioral Health Care, where she had managed a multidisciplinary team providing serve to adults with serious mental illness.

Lea Whitney, Member at Large

Lea (she/her) moved to the Roanoke Valley in October 2019 and joined UUCR soon after. She has served on Reading Seeds, the LQBTQ+ Welcoming Congregation team, and the Shared Ministry committee. She is also involved with the Women’s Group and other UUCR activities. She lives in Salem, VA, with her husband Jon and their cat and dog. She enjoys gardening, spending time with friends, reading, and cooking.