2025-2026 Leadership Nominations
Courtney Anderson - Nominated for Chair-Elect (1 year as chair-elect, 1 year as board chair, 1 year as past chair)
Courtney grew up in St. Charles, IL in a Lutheran household, where her mother was Director of Christian Education until retiring in 2024. She was active in Sunday School and VBS, later assisting with both. Since 2009, she has attended Second Unitarian and taught Spirit Play, serving as lead teacher for the past three years and on the Lifespan Faith Development Committee. She holds a BS in Hospitality Management from NYU and is Major Gifts Director at Steppenwolf Theatre, where she also manages the softball team. She previously served on the board of MPI–Chicago and lives in Uptown. She loves the lakefront, is an aunt of four, and enjoys traveling.
Pat McKenna - Nominated for Secretary (2-year term)
Pat (she/her) sought out 2U in the fall of 2023 in search of community and fellowship. The ritual of Sunday service steadily became an important part of the rhythm of her week. Pat has enjoyed attending 2U social gatherings, fundraisers, and contributing to the musical life of the church. Most recently, she joined the Hospitality and Welcoming Committee. Outside of 2U, Pat is a practicing psychologist, mother of a college sophomore, and wife to a very supportive non-churchgoing husband! She enjoys reading, traveling, staying active, and chamber music sessions with friends.
Sean Connelly - Nominated for Council Chair (2-year term)
Sean Connolly is Co-Founder and Executive Director of Helix Education, based in Chicago, which creates hands-on, student-driven learning through in-school and afterschool programs, curriculum development, and workshops nationwide. Previously, he was Director of Neighborhood Initiatives at Loyola University Chicago, where he launched the student-run business program and the annual Student Run Business Conference. Sean has held numerous community roles, including Board President of the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce, Treasurer and LGBTQ Coordinator for the Illinois chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and Commissioner for SSA 54. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and an MBA from Loyola University Chicago.
Kristi Anderson - Nominated for Board Member-at-Large (2-year term)
Kristi has been a UU her entire adult life and joined 2U five years ago after spending over 40 years at Beverly Unitarian Church on Chicago’s South Side. She says, “Being in the UU world has sustained me, challenged me, and stretched me. I want this community to continue to grow, provide safe harbor, and challenge its members and friends for many years to come.” At 2U, she has served on the Worship Support Team, is an active member of the Pastoral Care Committee, helps with Coffee Hour, and enjoys being part of the Wise Older Women’s Group. She would be honored to serve as Member at Large on the board.
Andrea Redfeairn - Nominated for Nominating Committee (3-year term)
Second Unitarian has been a home and community to Andrea for 30 years. She joined 2U in 1995 where she met and married her husband, Gregory. She is currently the chair of the Pastoral Care Team. Other involvement includes planning and decorating for 2U Fall Fests, and teaching in the Spirit Play classroom for 3-5 year olds.
Berlinda Browne - Nominated for Nominating Committee (2-year term)
Berlinda is a long time member at Second Unitarian church. She is currently the facilitator for the DRUUMM group, an active member of the social justice ministry, anti-racism multicultural ministry, gardening committee, and the library team. She is a past board Chair of Second Unitarian Church and spent three separate terms on the board of trustees during her membership here. This will be her second term on the nominating committee.
Mary-Helen Steindler - Nominated for Endowment Committee (3-year term)
Mary Helen Steindler has been a member of Second Unitarian Church since 1997, and raised her two children in the church. She has been deeply involved in 2U throughout her time as a member. Currently, she is co-chair of the Capital Campaign; a member of the Building, Infrastructure, and Grounds/Capital Campaign Scope (BIG/SCOPE) committee, the Aesthetics committee, and the Internship Committee for Heike Eghardt. She has served on the Fall Fest Committee for 5 different times, acting as chair in 2020 and co-chair in 2024; she also chairs the Hospitality and Welcoming Committee and served as Council Chair for 4 years.
