Members are elected to the Board of Directors and the Nominating Committee at the congregational meeting each spring. Learn more about our staff and volunteers.
The Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is made up of nine volunteer members of the congregation who each serve a three year term. They are charged with focusing on the “Big Picture”, i.e., policies relating to the overall vision, goals and health of the congregation.
The Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee is made up of volunteer members of the congregation who each serve a two year term. They are charged with identifying members of the congregation who are willing and able to serve on the Board of Directors and the Nominating Committee. They also identify members who are willing to be appointed by the Board to the Funds Management Committee.
Board of Directors
| Name & Position | Bio |
|---|---|
| Sue Bondy, Director | Sue Bondy started attending First UU, casually, in 2019. Joining in 2026 marks the first time she has been a member of any spiritual organization. Professionally, she has worked with numerous educators, counsellors and advocates from First and other progressive congregations. At First Unitarian, so far, she has served on the Congregational Safety Advisory Council and has been an active volunteer with the refugee sponsorship committee, welcoming three families or individuals. She looks forward to broader contributions to the congregation and community. |
| Peter Brydon, Director | Peter has been a member of First for nearly thirty years. His greatest joy is singing in the choir, which he has done for many years. From 2006 to 2009 he served on the Funds Management Committee. Peter was appointed a Lay Chaplain in 2006 and served in that role until 2013, performing well over 100 weddings, funerals and child dedications. He later chaired the Lay Chaplaincy Committee, completing his term in 2013. He has also served on the Nominating Committee. Peter is a retired high school teacher who is married to Wendy Peebles. They have two married sons, Robbie and Dale, and are the proud grandparents of four young boys. |
| Jill Caskey, Director | "I was born in Rockford, Illinois and grew up in the Unitarian Universalist church there. Although I stopped attending the church when I left home, it clearly shaped my interests in religion and theology; I’m an art historian, and much of my research has been about bringing Muslims, Christians, Jews, and various pagans into the history of medieval art and seeing them in dialogue. When I finally returned to Unitarianism—to First, about ten years ago—I was completely overwhelmed with a sense of being in the right place, of finding what I had been searching for and needing, including a supportive place for my three kids. I joined First officially in June 2021. As a board member, I look forward to giving back, to help First remain a supportive community for its friends and members in this time of transition, while also helping our community grow." |
| Kate Cottington, Director | Kate has been a member of First Unitarian since 2011. She joined the Engage and Connect Committee at its inception. As Arts Committee chair from 2012, she organized monthly art exhibitions in Sunderland Hall at 175 St Clair Ave W. She is currently a member of First’s online Monday Meditation Group, the Amnesty International Group 142 at First, and the Auction Committee. A retired French teacher, Kate enjoys the outdoors, the arts, the Japanese language and sumi-e brush painting. |
| Brian Deming, Director & Co-President | Committee (twice), the Funds Management Committee, and Team Generosity, and as a greeter. He currently serves on a coffee team. Brian grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, has a master's degree in history, and worked professionally as a newspaper reporter and as a copy editor for various publications in the United States, Germany, and Japan. He has written a historical novel and four non-fiction books related to history. He is now retired, volunteers for Amnesty International and Friends of the Toronto Public Library, and, for kicks, plays tennis and alto sax. |
| Stacy Hewson, Director | Stacy has been a member of First Unitarian since 2012. She has participated actively in journey groups for many years and has served as a Facilitator of a virtual group since 2020. Stacy has also taken part in numerous UU events, including the Winter Family Retreat and at Unicamp, accompanied by her two sons, Cole and Jesse. She has previously served on the RE committee and as an RE teacher. Professionally, she is a genetic counsellor at SickKids and serves as the Director of the MSc in Genetic Counselling Program at the University of Toronto. Stacy looksCommittee (twice), the Funds Management Committee, and Team Generosity, and as a greeter. |
| Helen Iacovino, Director, Secretary & Board Reporter | Helen grew up in the Unitarian Church of Montreal and has a BA in English literature from McGill University. She and her husband, Tony, joined Toronto First upon moving to Toronto in 1984. She has served Toronto First in various capacities including as a board trustee, committee chair (religious education program; membership), and convenor (Chief Convenor; Administration and Property Convenor). Currently, she is a member of the Unicamp board. She also loves to write, has a poetry blog, and has had poetry published in various literary magazines and anthologies, including several Canadian Unitarian Council poetry chapbooks. Helen recently retired from an office role at a local golf club. |
| Christopher Lee, Director & Co-President | Chris has attended First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto with his family since 2012. Professionally, he serves as the programming director at Inspirit Foundation — a national philanthropic organization committed to advancing pluralism in Canada — where he leads Inspirit’s grantmaking programs, evaluation and learning strategies, and social impact initiatives. Leveraging an array of financial tools, he works in partnership with communities and organizations to support justice, inclusion, and equity across multiple sectors. Chris holds a BA (Hons) from the University of King’s College and an MEd from the University of British Columbia. He also volunteers his time as a board member with Grassroots Grantmakers, a US-based non-profit organization. |
| Ryan Newell, Director | Ryan Newell, his partner Mel and his two kids Lew and Rosie have been attending First for more than a decade. He cherishes the spiritual community that he has found at First. His day job is as a labour lawyer, enforcing the rights of workers and trade unions. Recently, Ryan accompanied his younger daughter Rosie while she performed at our First ever Coffee House at Oakwood. When he’s not litigating or collective bargaining, you may find Ryan riding his bike, hiking with his family, doing puzzles or meditating. |