Unity of Delray Beach Board of Directors
Senior Minister, Rev. Jeanmarie Eck
President, Harvey L. Brown, Jr.
Vice President, Charlene Wilkinson
Secretary, Liz Shaw
Treasurer, Terry Horowitz
Director, Lynn VanDyke
Director, R. Scott Cornelius
BOARD MEMBERS & STAFF
Rev. JEANMARIE ECK
Senior Minister
Rev. Jeanmarie Eck began her journey with Unity more than 20 years ago. She was steeped in the Catholic faith throughout childhood, having attended Catholic school from pre-K through the 12th grade. This upbringing grounded her in prayer and a heartfelt devotion to following divine guidance.
In her twenties she sought deeper metaphysical teachings and discovered her spiritual home in Unity. She learned the Truth that God is not a judging deity, but the very light and love that dwell within each person and is everywhere present. This Truth delighted her soul, and she has dedicated her life to living the Unity Principles and sharing these teachings with all those she is called to serve.
Jeanmarie has a lifelong connection with South Florida, having moved to Fort Lauderdale at age 10. She graduated with honors from Cardinal Gibbons High School. A lifelong professional performing artist, she graduated summa cum laude from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida with a Bachelor of Arts - a double major in Theatre Arts and Music and a minor in Dance.
Her academic career took her to the University of Mississippi, where she was an undergraduate instructor in public speaking and acting and where she earned a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre.
She went on to perform in regional theatre productions throughout New York City and the U.S., as well as in television and film. Her career also includes years of management experience in both the arts and U.S. government.
Jeanmarie heard the calling to become a Unity minister in 2009 at Unity of New York, her home church. She completed SEE training and became a Prayer Chaplain, a Licensed Unity Teacher, and joined the staff.
In 2012, she moved to Unity Village for the Master of Divinity program at Unity Institute & Seminary. At Unity Village, she worked as a Telephone Prayer Ministry Associate for two and a half years at Silent Unity, praying with people from around the world, and also served as Communications Director at Unity Village Chapel.
Upon ordination in 2014, Rev. Howard Caesar invited her to join his staff as an Associate Minister and Director of Adult Education at Unity of Houston, where she served for close to 10 years. She has mentored numerous LUT and ministerial candidates and interns.
In 2017, she was once again called by Spirit to deepen her training in the ancient contemplative practice of spiritual direction and received her certification in spiritual direction at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.
She served for over three years on the Board of Trustees for Unity Worldwide Ministries and is a regular contributing writer for Unity’s blessing booklets.
She moved here from Houston with her wonderful husband David, their awesome daughter Felicity, and their adorable rescue dogs, Duchess and Bentley.
“Within each of us is a wholeness which is our divinity. Jesus said, ‘You are the light of the world’. We are each human and divine, and it is my joy to join together in Unity so we can learn to bless humanity through acting from our divinity.”
HARVEY L. BROWN, JR.
President
Harvey was born in 1961 in Delray Beach to Harvey and Gayl Brown. He has two sisters, Susan and Anne. Harvey and his wife Marilyn are Delray Beach residents. Harvey is a lifetime member of Unity of Delray Beach and currently serves as a platform speaker and occasional guest speaker. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1983 with a B.A. in marketing. In late 1983, he joined the Harvey L. Brown Insurance Agency.
Harvey earned a law degree (J.D.) from Nova Southeastern University and has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2002.
He is a former president and board member of the Delray Beach Public Library. He is also a former president of the board of the Delray Beach Playhouse. He has served as president of the Delray Beach Kiwanis and is a member of Delray Beach Rotary Club. He is the owner and president of the Harvey L. Brown Insurance Agency.
CHARLENE WILKINSON
Vice President
Charlene was introduced to Unity as a child through a television segment called "The Word" and later through the Daily Word and other Unity publications. She first began attending Unity of Delray Beach in 1988 and became a member in 1990. She relocated to Washington DC in 1995 and continued her participation at Unity of Fairfax in Fairfax,Virginia.
She returned to live in South Florida in 2003 and considers Unity of Delray Beach to be her spiritual home. She has served in past years as President of Unity of Delray Beach's Board of Directors. She leads the Weekly Prosperity Coffee. She holds a Master of Religious Studies degree and has led many classes, workshops, and retreats in the last 25 years. Charlene also has a law degree (J.D.) and has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1990. She is commercial counsel for a large technology company.
TERRY HOROWITZ
Treasurer
Terry first came to Unity of Delray Beach in 1990 and immediately knew he was home. Within the first year he made a commitment and became a member of the church and began a journey many of us are familiar with. He has served in many areas of the church but was led to one specific area, and that was the Youth of Unity. He served the Y.O.U. for about 14 years and not just with our church, but with the regional and international Y.O.U. as well. In 1999 he was awarded the Distinguished Youth Service Award. He has served the Church as a prior board member for several years. He has attended numerous classes as well as retreats with Unity Church. Terry has spent a lot of time in the financial industry, but for the past 10 years has been a self-employed business owner. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys a variety of activities, most of them outdoors.
LIZ SHAW
Secretary
Liz is originally from Northern Virginia. She began attending Unity of Delray Beach in 2004. Grateful to have found a spiritual home, she became a member in 2005. Since joining, she has volunteered as a greeter and then usher. She has served as the co-head usher of the 11a.m. team since 2007. Liz has worked as the Executive Coordinator at Delaire Country Club in Delray Beach since 2005. She holds a B.A. in English and Sociology from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania and an MSSA from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. She is currently a member of the Board of trustees of the Little Hill Foundation in conjunction with the Alina Lodge in New Jersey. Liz’s hobbies include fitness, antique collecting, traveling and spending time with her husband, dog and five cats.
R. SCOTT CORNELIUS
Director
Scott moved to Florida in 1985 and shortly thereafter began attending Unity of Delray Beach. He soon became active in the church and was elected to the Board of Directors, eventually serving as President of the Board under three ministers: Richard Barnes, Greg Barrette, and Nancy Norman.
Scott attended Cornell University, graduated from Bowling Green State University, and graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. He had a career in banking and retired from Bank of America as Vice President in the Private Client Group. Scott has two daughters and three grandchildren. He currently resides in Fort Lauderdale.
LYNN VANDYKE
Director
Lynn is a long-time member of Delray Beach. She came to Unity after visiting several places of worship and felt that this was her spiritual home. She answered a call to volunteer as a Youth of Unity sponsor in 1992 and has remained throughout, bringing three children of her own through the program. In addition to serving at the church level she served as Head Sponsor for many regional Youth of Unity events; she was honored to receive in 2004 a Distinguished Youth Service Award. She was certified in 2004 as a Licensed Unity Teacher, a credentialed leadership path for those desiring to serve and support a Unity minister and ministry. Lynn holds a Master of Arts degree from Barry University. She works in the telecommunication industry and has been an adjunct Communication and Public Speaking instructor at local colleges since 2005.
PAUL MEADOWS
Chief Financial Officer
Paul is from Charleston, West Virginia. He earned a Master of Science in Finance degree from Florida International University and two undergraduate degrees in Economics and Business Administration from West Virginia State University. Prior to joining Unity in November 2013, Paul spent most of his career in public accounting. He brings years of auditing and taxation experience, with an advanced focus on not-for-profit organizations.
D. SHAWN BERRY
Music Director
Co-founder, artistic director and lead conductor for the Young Singers of the Palm Beaches, under Shawn’s supervision the organization has grown to 6 choirs and over 350 singers ages 7-18. The choir has performed with the Palm Beach Opera, Palm Beach Pops, Dave Koz, the Three Tenors as well as toured nationally and internationally.
After earning his BA and MA in music education from Marshall University, Shawn worked in public schools for 24 years in grades K-12 vocal and instrumental music.
​Shawn’s choruses have performed at several national choral directors’ conventions. He has conducted honor and all-county choirs in Florida, West Virginia and North Carolina. He served as program director at the Center for Creative Education, and Manager of Arts and Cultural Education for the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. He is an active composer/arranger and arranger with his pieces at several publishing houses.
Shawn was pianist for the United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches for 25 years before joining the staff at Unity of Delray Beach.
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KATHLEEN CRONIN
Administrative Assistant
Kathleen Cronin was born in the “Big Apple” and relocated to Florida in 1978. Her spiritual journey began in NYC early in life and expanded as events and experiences led her closer and closer to God for strength, comfort, guidance and wisdom. This journey took a quantum leap on arriving in Florida when further learning and understanding about God’s Plan for her life took place.
Kathleen experienced a very special ‘moment in time’ in 1970 when she discovered a copy of Unity’s Daily Word in a stack of National Geographic magazines a Unity friend gave her. The uplifting Daily Word messages each seemed to be especially for her…of course!
Her journey here followed a long winding road and many different hats worn during her business career ⧿Real Estate, Facilitating ‘Freedom from Smoking’ Programs sponsored by the American Lung Association, Staff at Lappin Communications including start-up of the Palm Beach Pops Orchestra, Event Planning, and now, front desk office administrative duties here at our church.
BRENDA ROBINSON
Public Relations Director,
eBlast Editor
A Michigan native but four-decade Floridian, Brenda felt deeply blessed to find Unity in 1993 and has served as its public relations director and newsletter editor for many years. She co-founded and organized the Blessing of the Animals event here in 1999. She was an original member of the legendary Thursday morning 7 a.m. Prosperity Coffee.
Brenda hosted “Entertaining Your Spirit” film nights, screening more than 70 spirit-based movies, with popcorn and discussions, monthly at the church. For three summers she produced Old Time Rock ‘n Roll Concerts with professional entertainers (including several church members) for high-spirited events dancing and listening to 50s-80s tunes.
An avid Toastmaster, she won a “Toastmaster of the Year” award from her club, Bill Gove Golden Gavel, which is dedicated to strengthening public speaking skills. A former actress and improviser, she is a past board and founding member of Bob Carter’s Actor’s Workshop and Repertory Co. in W. Palm Beach.
Brenda and her writer/genealogist husband Dick have been married for 53 years.
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LYNN LEATH
Nursery
Lynn is a Michigan native and attended Wayne County Community College. She was a bookkeeper and later had a 25-year career with a builder and developer, serving as their controller. She attended Renaissance Unity in Warren, Michigan where, after her daughter made her transition, was the Church Nursery volunteer for the “Littlest Angels,” children from a few months to 1 year old. Lynn has been caring for babies and toddlers in our church nursery for several years.
DOUG MATTOCKS
Chief Information Officer
Webmaster
Doug is originally from Boston, MA and has been a south Florida resident since 1980. He has worked with Unity Church since 1998 helping with the Church website, technology and audiovisual needs. Doug is also the Director of Technology at Unity School.