Alan Batten: Administrator Emeritus, Unity of Charlotte Historian
Alan Batten was born in Rhode Island, but being from the smallest state gave him a large heart. He’s been a Southerner ever since he learned the difference between “You All” and “All You All.” He’s been living in Charlotte since 1982. Alan has been a student of Unity for more than 45 years, and has facilitated scores of classes and workshops, bringing Unity principles to work in everyday activities. He’s a firm believer in Charles Fillmore’s concept of Practical Christianity. Alan has been a writer ever since he received a toy typewriter as a toddler. He immediately set out to write the Great American Novel. Unfortunately for society, no one could read it. We’re glad that he finally learned how to type! Alan has served on the Board of Trustees as President for several terms.
Will Higginbotham: Technology Team, Audio System, Sound Board
Will Higginbotham was born in West Virginia but raised here in the Queen City. He is about to finish high school and plans to go to UNC Charlotte for Technical Theatre with a Sound Design Concentration. He is a dedicated actor and has been performing with the amazing people at Children's Theatre of Charlotte since 2014, including 4 seasons in their professional Mainstage productions. He is a member of Wesley United Methodist Church and is the sound system operator for them as well as Unity of Charlotte. He is also an avid member of the LGBTQ+ community and loves Unity of Charlotte's acceptance and support of him and all those in the community.
Dagmar Jones: Bookkeeper and Administrator (Remote)
Dagmar Jones was born and raised in Germany and has been living in Florida since 1986. She received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Hospitality Management from Florida International University in Miami. She is married to Edward and has 2 grown children, Cory and Haley. Dagmar is a certified yoga instructor. She teaches yoga at her local Unity of Sebring Life Enrichment Center and at Advent Health. Fun fact: Dagmar served as a board of trustees member and then as President of the Board of Trustees at Unity of Sebring for one term each. She has been attending Unity for the past 15 years.
Ashley Gandiza: Assistant, Newsletter Editor
Ashley Gandiza is a plant-based, feminist entrepreneur on a mission to raise the vibration of the collective consciousness by bringing love, light, and healing to anyone and any place that she is called to.
Ashley holds a Bachelor's Degree in Women’s Studies and a minor in Business from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. She has made her mark in various industries in her professional life. She started her career in the nonprofit field as a Community Organizer where she recruited and organized a network of hundreds of volunteers across the state of Hawai’i. She worked her way into the digital marketing space, serving as a Social Media Coordinator and Digital Marketing Consultant for online TV companies, Unity churches, life coaches, and healers.
Currently, she enjoys running her spiritual jewelry business, creating Light Language infused gemstone jewelry that promotes self love. She spends her days making jewelry for her next craft market, singing silly songs to her cat, and spending time with her partner. She has attended Unity for the past 5 years, in cities she’s lived in across the state: Charlotte, Raleigh, and now Unity of the Blue Ridge, outside of Asheville where she currently resides.