Board of Trustees and Officers

Michael Dore, Co-President

Michael started attending First U in 2022. He grew up in the Philadelphia area, is a software engineer by profession, and believes in the spiritual power of baseball.

Cyndi Kerr, Co-President

Cyndi was a Member-at-Large on the Women’s Leadership Alliance Board for the past two years and participated in a Soul Matters pilot as a Lead Facilitator. Soul Matters is a small-group ministry grounded in UU values that fosters deep listening, spiritual discernment, and meaningful connection around shared themes.

Her relationship with First Unitarian spans decades. In her 20s, she was involved in the Women’s Leadership Alliance, attended the General Assembly, and chaperoned youth—bringing a group to Boston. In her 30s, she returned with her husband, Kermit, and their children, Alexandra (2010) and Kenny. In her 50s, she came back again as a grandparent, supporting her grandson Kai through UU youth programming and Coming of Age. This summer, she looks forward to her first Star Island experience.

Cyndi just retired after working for the NYC Department of Education for the past 30 years as a teacher, staff developer, Founder and Principal of University Neighborhood Middle School, and District leader.  She likes spending time biking and crafting. 

Amanda Nietzel, Standing Committee

Amanda became a member of our congregation in 2021 and joined the board in 2025. She has professional experience in editorial, project management, and product development. She is passionate about community and also serves on the board of the League of Women Voters NYC.

Vicki Antonini

Vicki Antonini began attending First U in November of 2017 and signed the membership book in the spring of 2018. She is honored to serve as a Trustee. During her time at First U, she has held collaborative leadership roles in Weaving Social Justice, the Women’s Leadership Alliance, and Brooklyn Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East (which she co-founded). Most recently, as a Trustee, she has supported the Stewardship Team and Finance Committee. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Brave Elephant Learning Lab, where she provides leadership coaching through an anti-oppressive and equity-centered lens. She is currently working on a book about her father, The Tao of Tony, and lives in Kensington, Brooklyn with her two kitties: Ruby and Georgie. 

Robert Brackbill

Anne Calder

Anne began attending First Unitarian in 2013, but took a while to officially join. She’s a long-time member of the Green Team, works annually in the kitchen at Unifair, has served as a greeter, and is excited to jump into ‘soup & sandwiches’ once we have a new stove. Outside of church, she is an interior designer who enjoys cooking, hiking, and gardening. She is honored and delighted to serve on the Board.

Linda Donaldson-Guidi

I have been a member of First U since the fall of 2025.  Since joining, I have participated in WLC activities, including the spring retreat, and am a member of the Connections Committee.  Although my time at First U is brief, I have been a Unitarian for 36 years—I served on the Executive Board at the Nashua, NH Unitarian Church and was an active member of All Souls Unitarian Church in Washington, DC.

My immediate family includes three grown sons, a wonderful daughter-in-law and son-in-law, and best of all, my granddaughter, Georgia.

I’m a mostly retired teacher and am enjoying working three days a week at my local elementary school.

Luke Messina

Luke has been a member at First Unitarian since 2018. He has been active in many facets of congregational life in this time. Helping plan events, provided support, and fostered community.

He has been particularly active within our queer and young adult groups. This includes helping plan past appearances at Brooklyn Pride and contributing to two Summer Pride services. 

Since August of 2024, he has co-chaired the Connections Committee. During his time as co-chair, the committee has helped launch affinity groups, formalize processes for welcoming/outreach work, and hosted a movie screening. In March of 2025, Luke began facilitating a Queer Spirituality group. He believes our congregation is a unique and special place, and is dedicated to serving our shared community in any way he can. 

Luke lives in South Brooklyn and works in voting rights and accessibility for the city government. 

Mark Weiss

Lee Pardee, Treasurer

Todd Ogin, Clerk of the Society

James Goward, Moderator

James was raised as a Unitarian in his native Massachusetts and joined FUUB over 15 years ago. He is married to Jackie Frost (also a FUUB member), and they have two sons (Sean and Owen) who are in college. James is an assistant district attorney in the Bronx, where he co-directs long-term criminal investigations. Prior to that, he worked as a public defender at the Legal Aid Society and later at the NYPD as an attorney conducting internal Investigations into allegations of officer misconduct.