Rev. Victoria Loveland-Coen is an ordained Unity and Interfaith Minister with over 40 years in the New Thought/Ancient Wisdom tradition. Her spiritual path began at 16 through Transcendental Meditation. She moved her family from Los Angeles to Chapel Hill 16 years ago, where Unity Center of Peace became her home—first as co-Minister, now as Senior Minister for the past five years.
Trained as a Religious Science Practitioner under Rev. Michael Beckwith at Agape International Spiritual Center in 1997, Victoria works today as an inspirational speaker, teacher, and spiritual coach, helping others uncover their spiritual brilliance and step into their true purpose. She is the author of three books, including Breakthrough! A Complete Guide for Getting Unstuck and Realizing Your Dreams. She lives in Chapel Hill with her husband, writer Dana Coen, their dog Luna, and cherishes time with their 26-year-old twin daughters.
Email: victoria@unitychapelhill.org Office Hours: Wednesdays, 3 pm - 6 pm
Contact Rev. Loveland-Coen via email to schedule an appointment for Spiritual Counseling
Marea brings a rich blend of experience rooted in health, wellness, and creating meaningful experiences. A University of Guelph graduate, she spent a decade opening distinctive restaurant concepts across Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Boston before pursuing her passion for holistic health—earning a Bachelor of Science in Homeopathy in 2015 from Middlesex University. She now runs her own practice in Chapel Hill, serving clients locally and nationwide via telehealth.
A UCP member since 2015, Marea is active on the Sacred Activism, Prosperity, and Wisdom Council teams, has served on the Board of Trustees since 2018, and currently serves as Board President. Contributing to the growth of Unity Center of Peace is, for her, one of life's great joys.
Email: marea.k@unitychapelhill.org
Kris grew up in the Pacific Northwest before making his way through Minnesota and Wisconsin, where he finished high school and his first year of college. A University of Minnesota graduate, he settled in Chapel Hill and spent 15 years teaching music at Carolina Friends School—a natural fit for someone who gave his first "sermon" at 12 and was frequently cast as Scrooge.
For the past 20 years, Kris has performed as a soloist and ensemble player in popular music throughout the Southeast. As UCP's Music Director, he continues to teach and perform regionally, with hopes of finishing his first book and recording another album. He lives in Durham with his wife Cathy and their beloved cats Sultan and Murphy, and regal hound Greta.
Email: kris@unitychapelhill.org
Pat's spiritual journey has been her life's compass from an early age—one that led her through a career in nursing, a master's in psychiatric nursing, and a doctorate in clinical psychology, while exploring many of the world's major spiritual traditions. Called to Unity ministry in 2019, she graduated from Unity Urban Ministry School and was ordained in June 2025, with a clear calling toward Social Justice ministry. Her goal is to inspire others to engage in social justice work aligned with Unity theology and principles, and she and her team are also active in Prison Ministry.
In earlier life, Pat was an avid sailor and earned two black belts in karate. The archetype of the Warrior—embodied in Kwan Yin, goddess of compassion—runs deeply through her life and ministry. Her Native American spirit name, Warrior Heart, says it all. She has a beloved daughter, Ali, and a beloved dog, Tucker.
Email: mintpat007@gmail.com
Website: Unity Social Justice YouTube Channel: Social Justice
Debbie has been an active UCP member since 2005, volunteering in roles ranging from Sound Technician and Sunday Greeter to the Board of Trustees and Leadership Council. In 2020, she joined the staff as Office Manager—a role that has grown to encompass office management, events, building and grounds, IT, website, marketing, PR, and bookkeeping.
Before UCP, Debbie spent 17 years in corporate roles at Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, including Leadership and Organizational Development, Training, and IT—experience that serves her well in the many tasks she handles with skill and care. Outside of work, she has been a dedicated pet sitter since 2007 and currently does part-time elder caregiving. She lives in Carrboro with her cats Amber and Precious and Jack Russell terrier Gracie, and loves nature, hiking, yoga, nutrition, and Vedic Astrology.
Email: debbie.h@unitychapelhill.org
Shannon Preto is UCP's YFM teacher and director, and a pediatric occupational therapist with Emerge Pediatric Therapy in Carrboro. She relocated from San Francisco in 2023 after 21 years in the Bay Area, drawn by personal transitions and the chance to build community near her best friend. She has come to love the cultural, culinary, and natural offerings of the Triangle.
Before becoming an OT in 2017, Shannon was a modern dancer, choreographer, and teacher, earning her MFA in dance from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Her spiritual journey has traveled through the Catholic and Episcopal churches and deepened through a Buddhist meditation practice during the pandemic. She is inspired by Unity's affirmation of the Divine in all beings and believes God is most present in our relationships with one another.
Llea's spiritual path led her to Unity principles in 1991 through A Course in Miracles, and in 2003 her family settled in Wimberley, Texas, where she helped co-found Unity of Wimberley and served on its first board. With 25 years in business management, she later served as church business manager and administrator under Rev. Ellen Debenport.
Last summer, her journey took an unexpected turn when she relocated to Durham to support her son Nick through cancer treatment and help care for her four-year-old grandson, Dane. She finds her mother's heart warmed being close to sons Taylor and Nick, his wife Emily, and little Dane—while missing son Ryan and grandson Bertie back in Austin. She's also adoring her new kitty, Daphne McDoogal!
Llea is now embracing her role as Membership Engagement Coordinator and would love to connect with everyone. Please stop her and say hello—and share how you'd like to deepen your connection to Unity Center of Peace!
Email: llea.m@unitychapelhill.org
Born and raised in Boston, she studied philosophy at Tulane before launching a marketing company and, after marriage and a move to Houston, building a thirty-year career in real estate—25 of those as Managing Partner of a boutique agency. It was during this time that she discovered Unity principles and began her spiritual path.
Covid and family illness brought a turning point, and the pull of her children and grandchildren in Chapel Hill proved too strong to resist. She closed her life in Texas and began anew in Pittsboro. Though the move is recent, this area is home—and UCP is her heart. The warmth of this community has made her feel as though she's always belonged. She is active on the We've Got Your Back Team, Sacred Café, and Women's Circle, and hopes to bring her diverse background to the UCP Board as she continues to grow alongside this dynamic community.
Carla has been following the thread of spiritual truth for about 50 years, exploring a wide range of spiritual thinkers and traditions—including Unity in Atlanta and Dallas, and the Dallas Center for Spiritual Living, where she completed most of the coursework to become a spiritual coach and practice Spiritual Mind Treatment. When she visited UCP shortly after moving to North Carolina in late 2023, she felt an instant sense of belonging.
With an undergraduate degree in Psychology and an MBA in Finance from the University of Houston, Carla enjoyed a rich 50-year career in business valuation—finding special joy in mentoring younger colleagues. She recently retired. Along the way, she served in leadership roles in her national professional organization, on the finance team at Dallas CSL, and on the board of Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven.
Carla hopes to contribute to the continued vibrancy of UCP by bringing her experience and enthusiasm to the Board as part of a group of inspired, committed, and varied members.
Email: carla.g@unitychapelhill.org
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