The Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst Board of Trustees is the governing body of the Society. The Board conducts its business in accordance with the UUSA Bylaws. To learn about how we make decisions and set priorities, see Our Governance. Board Minutes are available to members (or others upon request) in Board Minutes.
Board of Trustees as of July 1, 2025
Co-President: Carolyn Cave (2025-2026)
“I’ve been an active member of the UUSA since 2004 – just a few months after moving to Hadley with my husband, Kyle. I was recruited to be the board clerk almost immediately and have since served in a lot of leadership roles including president. I retired from UMass in the spring of 2024 and am enjoying retirement – very busy but still figuring out the best ways to use my time. I think in these turbulent and challenging times, among the best ways I can make a positive difference is to help assure the health and vitality of the UUSA as a place where we can rest when needed, grow as we are able, and nourish one another and the broader community.”
Co-President: Ellen Sale (2025-2027)
“I grew up UU in West Virginia and I was very active in YRUU leadership in the 90s. Those experiences shaped the communities I sought to find and nurture for the past 30 years. We moved to the Valley in 2022 after 17 years in Chicago. Here, I enjoy yoga and jumping in natural bodies of water—no matter the season! I also love to cook and host friends and family in our home. I’ve been an educator for 24 years, and have worked as a teacher, founding principal, talent leader and now Chief People Officer of the small district of schools in Chicago I helped to found. I travel frequently, love being an auntie, and am happiest being in a circle. I’m very grateful for the connections we are making at the UUSA.”
Clerk: Maura Whalen (2025-2027)
“I found a home at UUSA about 10 years ago, when I was searching for a spiritual community for me and my daughter Riley. Since then, I have been a choir member, OWL facilitator, small group member, RE chair, and Music Committee co-chair. UUSA is a fulfilling place for me that offers friendship, spiritual growth, opportunities for service, music and singing, and community. When I’m not teaching preschool, I like to garden, hike, travel, and play games.”
Treasurer: Eric Murphy (2024-2026) – second term
“I moved to this area about 25 years ago from eastern Massachusetts. My wife, daughter (Jess, Jana) and I had never attended a UU service until about 15 years ago when we attended a UUSA service in search of spiritual community. We felt at home here, became members, and have been involved since then. Our daughter attended years of RE programing, my wife served on the board, the ministerial search committee and is now on the Committee on Shared Ministries. I have been attending Small Group Ministries and have recently joined the Finance Committee.”
Sue Kelly (2024-2026) – second term
“Elliott and I and our 3 year old child moved to Amherst in 2002 from eastern Massachusetts after finishing graduate school and working for a few years. We discovered Unitarian Universalism a few years before we moved here so it was natural for us to seek out the UUSA shortly after we arrived. We joined shortly after a few visits to the UUSA and our second child was dedicated here in the sanctuary. I was raised Congregationalist, and I found some similarities in UU but mostly a “home” that felt accepting and supportive of my many questions.”
Nancy Hunter (2024-2026)
“My husband Brett Parker and I relocated to Amherst in 2022 to be closer to family. We left behind our much beloved UU congregation in Stony Brook, NY where we had been members for 25 years. We were thrilled to discover the UUSA and have felt warmly welcomed. I am thankful to Sophie Rogers for introducing me to the Wednesday morning breakfast team, where I have found a delightful and dedicated crew that make me feel at home. I am honored to be nominated as an At-Large Board Member, and hope that I can contribute from my experiences serving on various UU committees and being actively involved in RE. I am a recently retired high school biology teacher and currently volunteer at the Jones library as a tutor.”
Kate Dahlstedt (2024-2026)
Kate Dahlstedt is a life long Unitarian Universalist and has been a member of our society for 10 years. She has served on our Caring Committee for the last several years and has participated in a variety of roles in our Sunday services, including giving sermons. Kate is a writer and psychotherapist who was also the cofounder of a nonprofit called Soldier’s Heart, where she held many organizational roles. She is delighted serve on the UUSA board.
