Past-President - David Kroeber

After years of driving past the building and wondering what UU was all about, I finally visited UUMAN for 2021’s Hembree Park service - the first in-person gathering since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. I immediately felt I had found a vibrant, diverse, and welcoming community where I could continue my faith journey after 30 years of teaching and leading in Baptist churches - and several years deconstructing unhelpful beliefs and doctrines! Over the next several months, I connected virtually with the UUMAN community through the Centering Prayer, All Souls United, and Spiritual Wisdom Studies groups, then became a member in March 2022 when we resumed meeting in the Sanctuary.

Since joining UUMAN, I have served as a Worship Associate and am currently the Worship Committee chair, as well as sitting on the Sabbatical Committee. I’ve delivered lay-led sermons and facilitated Adult Enrichment programs, including the launch of Sunday Service Reflections and a new Faith After Doubt group - both of which have helped connect visitors and new members to our UUMAN community through small-group discussion. As a member of the Program Council, I’ve contributed to both tactical and strategic planning discussions.

I moved north to Cumming from Roswell after my divorce, in order to assist with my elderly mother’s care. I have a dog, five adult children, and one (awesome) granddaughter. I enjoy movies, live music, and outdoor recreation - particularly with the UUMAN community - and I work remotely for a technology company as an account manager.

President – Rachel Osborne

I started attending UUMAN along with my husband, Brian, in early 2024. We had recently moved to the north metro Atlanta area, and were struggling to find like-minded community. I had heard of Unitarian Universalism, but as someone who no longer considered themselves a Christian and hadn't been to a church service in quite a few years, I didn't know what to expect. Listening to congregants sharing their joys and sorrows of each week with each other and joining in song together despite coming from various backgrounds and faith traditions was the most amazing thing ever. We became members shortly thereafter. I quickly got involved in re-vamping the Young Adult Group at UUMAN, working to create an intentional, welcoming community for young adults aligned with the UU values and helping as needed with other groups/committees at UUMAN. 
 
We currently live in Woodstock, Georgia, where we enjoy living with our five cats, hiking, and biking. I look forward to serving this wonderful, creative community as a member of the Board.

Vice-President - Ash Battistelli (they/them)

Hello there! I'm Ash (they/them), originally from Memphis TN and through many twists and turns I'm now living here in metro Atlanta. UUMAN is an incredibly special place for me, I've made so many friends both at church and outside of church because of connections that have spiraled outward - with UUMAN at the center of those connections. I'm delighted to have an opportunity to give back to a place that has become so significant to me.

 In addition to being vice president of the board, I am also a religious exploration (RE) facilitator for our senior youth at UUMAN. I've been inspired by them and by our Mosaic curriculum to focus on anti-racism work. Dismantling white supremacy in all its forms perfectly exemplifies our UU values and I look forward to leaning into those values both in church and outside of it.

 When I'm not attending to UUMAN responsibilities, I am spending time with my fiancé (Daniel - they/he) and our two cats, working on cosplays for Dragon Con, playing TTRPG with friends, reading, or passionately talking about public transportation (one of several interests of mine).

Treasurer – Cathy Bruce

Cathy first started attending UU churches when she lived in Lawrenceville and attended UUCG. When she moved to Roswell for the first time, she joined UUMAN and was a member here for a few years prior to moving to Avondale Estates. She rejoined in 2023 after relocating back to Roswell.

Cathy was born in South Africa. Early on, her family moved to the suburbs of Philadelphia, where she grew up. She has worked primarily in manufacturing engineering and then product management roles. Currently, she works remotely as a product manager for a smallish Baltimore-based consulting company, and is happily working on a project to develop a paid family leave program for the state of Maryland.

Cathy is a dog lover and currently has a pittie mix named Chelsea who (unfortunately) is not excited about the idea of siblings. Cathy loves the mountains, word games, reading, swimming, scuba diving and is a former whitewater kayaker. She has been married twice, has no children, and is now appreciating the single life.

Secretary - Laura Keck

A cradle UU, Laura Keck has been a member of UUMAN since 2001. Her roles have included MCY teacher and special events planner, board treasurer (2007-2009), Ministerial Search Committee secretary (2014-2016), board secretary (2017-2019), chair of UUMAN’s membership committee (2019-2023) and chair of Common Grounds Coffee House (2024-2025). Laura recently retired from Kimberly-Clark after a 40-year R&D career working on environmental sustainability projects. She and her husband Jerry Jascomb live in Milton and have three adult children and three grandchildren. If elected Laura will bring an historical perspective to the role of board secretary, as well as concise and timely communications to the congregation.

Trustee for Special Projects - Joe Lamb

I became a member of UUMAN in October 2022. My background is I obtained an undergraduate degree in Theology and a graduate degree in business from Southeastern University. My roles at UUMAN have included Chair of the Men's Fellowship (2022-2025), member of the Communications Committee (2022-2025) and an occasional guest lecturer and class leader. I've also partnered with David Kroeber to develop a 2nd hour class called "Faith After Doubt" that meets monthly and explores the idea of deconstructing from a previous faith and finding a new journey. I live in Alpharetta and enjoy travel, writing fiction, and time with good friends. "I came to UUMAN from many years in Evangelical churches where the attendees didn't really agree with my values. UUMAN has been a breathe of fresh air with people that care, share my values, and are engaged in a search for justice in the world. I am inspired to be a part of such an amazing group of people."