Minister, Staff and Board Members
Rev. Victoria Loveland-Coen, Senior Minister
Rev. Victoria Loveland-Coen is an ordained Unity Minister and Interfaith Minister (One Spirit), with over 40 years of deep engagement in the New Thought/Ancient Wisdom tradition. Her spiritual journey began at age 16 through Transcendental Meditation, and she has continued to explore and embody spiritual principles ever since. After moving the family from Los Angeles to Chapel Hill 16 years ago, Unity Center of Peace quickly became her spiritual home. Just one month after her ordination, she began serving as co-Minister with Rev. Rosemary Hyde, and has now led the community as Senior Minister for the past five years.
Chris Egle, Vice President
Having studied with shamans and healers in North and Central America, Chris has a very deep connection and appreciation for that which goes unseen in most people’s lives. The natural abundance of the world continuously amazes him. A joyier at heart, Chris seeks to brighten his life as well as any who cross paths with him through listening, insight, humor, and artistic expression.
Chris has leadership experience and is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Bowen EHS Online Learning System. Chris has served on the UCP Board of Trustees for many years as both President and Treasurer and offers expertise in organizational management, finance and building and grounds skills.
Marea Kavanagh, Board President
Marea comes to UCP with a wide variety of career and family experiences that center around health, wellness and creating unique and memorable experiences. After receiving her Bachelor of Commerce degree from The University of Guelph, Ontario in Hotel & Food Management, she spent 10 years opening and operating unique restaurant concepts in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Boston.
Debbie Hall, Administrative Manager
Debbie has been an active UCP member since 2005. Her first volunteer experience was Sound Technician for Sunday Service and has since served as Sunday Greeter, Host, Building and Grounds, and has served on both the Board of Trustees and Leadership Council. Most recently, in 2020, Debbie was hired to be our new Office Manager which has turned into a broader job that includes office management, services and events assistant, building and grounds management, IT and website management, Marketing and PR and Bookkeeping.
Kris Whitenack, Music Director
Kris was born in Seattle Washington and lived in Enumclaw Washington until he was 16. Kris was frequently cast as Scrooge, and gave his first “sermon“ at the age of 12 in the Presbyterian Church. At 16 he moved to Edina Minnesota, then at 17 to LaCrossse Wisconsin where he finished high school and his first year of college. He went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota and moved to Chapel Hill where he taught music at Carolina Friends School for 15 years. For the last 20 years Kris has been performing as a soloist and ensemble player in the world of popular music.
Mel Caron, Sunday Assistant and Spiritual Director
Mel has been with Unity Center of Peace since 2016. Mel received her Director in Spiritual Direction degree from Unity Worldwide Spiritual Institude in 2023. She has a keen awareness to how Spirit works through all aspects of life and shares a calm and accepting nature with everyone she meets. Mel is availabe for spiritual counseling and coaching by emailing her at
Read more: Mel Caron, Sunday Assistant and Spiritual Director
Shannon Preto, YED (Youth and Family Ministry)
My name is Shannon Preto, and I’m the UCP YFM teacher and director, currently working as a pediatric occupational therapist with Emerge Pediatric Therapy in Carrboro, NC. I moved here from San Francisco in August 2023 after 21 years in the Bay Area, drawn by both personal transitions and the opportunity to build community near my best friend. Though adjusting to the new pace and climate took some time, I’ve come to enjoy the cultural, culinary, and natural offerings of the Triangle.
Carla Glass, Treasurer
Carla Glass has been on a path of finding that next thing that resonates with her as spiritual truth for about 50 years. During this time, in addition to simply listening to the guidance of her Higher Self, she has read books by, and listened to presentations by, a wide variety of spiritual thinkers and leaders. More closely related to UCP, she attended Unity in Atlanta (long ago) and in Dallas. In Dallas, she later regularly attended the Dallas Center for Spiritual Living (CSL) and, before moving away, took most of the courses to become a spiritual coach and provide what they call Spiritual Mind Treatment, similar to what Unity calls Affirmative Prayer. When she first moved to North Carolina in late 2023, she visited UCP and felt an instant belonging.
Stefanie Pollard, Secretary
Born and raised in Boston, I attended Tulane University in New Orleans, majoring in philosophy. After “philosophising” for a few years I launched a marketing company -- then life brought me a new husband and a move to Houston. Three years and two sons later I decided to start a new career path in real estate. I spent the next thirty years as a realtor with 25 of those as Managing Partner of a boutique agency. During this period I was introduced to the Unity principles and started my spiritual path as I studied and absorbed the knowledge of those around me.
Llea McCarn
Llea’s Spiritual path led her to Unity principles in 1991 after exploring A Course in Miracles with a small group of women in Bellville, Texas. In 2003, her family landed in Wimberley, Texas where she helped co-found Unity of Wimberley while serving on its first board.
Her work experience includes 25 years in both profit and non-profit business management. In 2017, she was hired under Rev Ellen Debenport to serve as Unity of Wimberley’s Church business manager & church administrator.
