Board of Trustees and Officers 

Trish Burch, President

Before moving to St Petersburg in 2013, Trish and her husband Gerry were members of a small UU congregation in northwest New Jersey. Knowing that she would find a welcoming community in a UU church, Trish began attending services at UUSP in 2013. She is forever grateful for the care and support given by the UUSP community through her husband’s illness and eventual passing.

Trish is happily retired from her career as a consultant to colleges and universities and other non-profits. She has many interests and volunteer activities that keep her busy: she is a Master Gardener, takes classes in Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging), serves on the Board of her dog training club, and loves cooking.

Having served as Treasurer for three years, Trish is aware of the challenges UUSP has faced since the pandemic. She is optimistic about our future and looks forward to contributing as a Board member to UUSP’s continued success.

Gigi Khalsa

Dani Blye

I work in horticultural services out of Dunedin, and I live in North St Petersburg.

I was born in '91 to two loving parents who did the best they could with what they had, in a family rife with mental illness, in a town that still held fast to Confederate sentiments, and a Southern Baptist Church that may have meant well but was painfully misguided.

I've had a lot of learning (and unlearning) to do in my life. It's a never ending process.

My maternal grandmother (AKA Pancho) was the first person to put this into terms that resonated with me. We would have long, meaningful discussions about life and love and healing. She gifted to me Kahlil Gibran's "The Prophet", and it has been with me ever since.

For about 7 years, I worked seasonally for the National Park Service. I would work the summer season, save up, and travel the world during my furlough. I have been immensely fortunate in my life to have seen 37 countries this way, and I have no doubt it helped to shape me into a healthier person. In recent years, I found myself back in the St Pete area near family again. 

Giving back and being a part of a community in this way has been a new and exciting experience (and admittedly overwhelming at times!) But I'm grateful to have found a group of people so devoted to making a positive difference in the world. I'm grateful that you have invited me to grow, to learn, and even to unlearn, by your side.

Dayna Foster

Dayna was born  in Columbus, Ohio, and grew up in a small village in the southwestern part of the state. She joined the Army in 1974 and served a total of 14 years in various active and inactive positions and units. "I spent 27 years working for the federal government as a program evaluator for the Government Accountability Office and retired in 2014. I taught English to Speakers of Other Languages in Ohio and Florida for 12 years as an adjunct, including a 10-month stint in China. Before coming to UU St. Pete, I was a long-time member of multiple congregations as I moved for work or personal reasons. I joined UU St. Pete in September 2022 and joined the Board July 2023."

Todd Wellman

Tampa Bay-area writer, music-involved person, nonprofit professional, and volunteer Todd Wellman, with Wisconsin & UP connections, is grateful to be involved in many wonderful organizations and efforts. For Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg, he serves on the Board of Trustees; founded and performs in the annual Broadway Revue; composes choral music; and is a frequent participant in other music, Sunday service, and learning efforts. For writing, his novels for adults and children are represented by Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc.; he has taught writing at several colleges and community venues; has been selected for a Lambda Literary Fellowship, the Key West Literary Seminar Writers’ Workshop, and twice the Writers in Paradise Workshop; and served as fiction editor for cream city review. His poetry, fiction, essays, or screenplays appear with Cozy Ink Press, Neptune, Lunch Ticket, Indie Next Lists, Lambda Literary Review, Emerge Anthology, Beyond Queer Words, and more. For music, he’s appeared on stage in productions of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical; Cabaret; Anyone Can Whistle; It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman!; Jekyll & Hyde, and more; had an original musical produced; and taught early childhood piano. In his nonprofit, volunteer, and work lives, he serves as the Funding Director for a Pinellas Countywide arts-funding and -support agency; has sat on advisory groups for Pen Parentis, Newfound Press, and others; served two terms in AmeriCorps; has facilitated hundreds of educational workshops; and hosted hundreds of author events for an independent bookstore. Todd holds a Center for Accelerated Learning design certificate, various grant writing certificates, a SHRM-CP in human resource management, a BM in music, an MLS in liberal studies, and an MA in creative writing. Todd enjoys reading, indoor rock climbing, attending theatre productions and concerts, visiting breweries, taking Disney trips, and witnessing the power creative acts can have to set the world toward justice.

Sandra Moss

Ross, a native Texan, moved to St Pete in 2018 with his husband, Jimmy Gilmore. Ross is a graduate of Texas A&M and Vanderbilt University. He and Jimmy spent over 25 years in Nashville, TN, where they raised their son, David, and finished their careers. They found UU and joined UUSP in 2022.

Ross is an avid reader and still meets monthly with his original Nashville book club. They’re closing in on 150 books. He and his husband love to travel, and live in the Crescent Heights neighborhood of St Pete with their pretty blonde lab, Sadie.

Ross is proud to call UUSP home and to have the opportunity to serve on its board.