UUWYN Board of Directors
Africa
Reverend Justine Magara
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Reverend Justine Magara is the minister of the Kisii and Maasai Unitarian Universalist congregations in Kenya. One of 5 siblings and children of Rev. Patrick Onchomba Magara and Teresa Kerubo in Kisii, Western Kenya, Rev. Magara grew up Christian until introduced to UU by his father. In college he undertook computer and Bible studies. In 2014 he joined Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, Illinois (USA) for a short time to study Global Religion and Media. He subsequently returned to Meadville Lombard Theological School to further his education in Leadership Studies with a concentration in community lay ministry.
Mrs. Wildah Siro
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Wildah Siro is a Unitarian Universalist leader from the Maasai community in Kenya whose ministry centers on women's empowerment, cultural dignity, and the creation of compassionate, justice-rooted communities. A respected voice in African Unitarianism, she brings together traditional wisdom and modern spiritual leadership, lifting up the stories and strengths of her people while building bridges across borders and generations. Wildah has represented her community in international UU gatherings, contributing to a global vision of faith that honors diversity, equity, and shared humanity. Her leadership is marked by courage, clarity, and a deep commitment to the flourishing of women and youth.
Asia
Reverend Aryanto Nugroho
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Reverend Aryanto Nugroho is President of the National Board of Unitarian
Christian Church of Indonesia and is active in the inter-religious dialogue and
movement in Indonesia (especially in his home province of Central Java). Some
of his experiences include leading the youth organization of UCCI, providing
public training in leadership and personality development, bible studies –
particularly relating to early Christianity, theology and interpretation of the
prophecy book. He has a Bachelor and Master degree in Management, Internal
theology and church-service training in UCCI before being ordained as a
minister. Some of his hobbies and interests include cycling, running, nature
walks, reading and watching historical films.
Europe
Finn Prem
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Finn Prem is a graduate student of Physics at Heidelberg University in Germany and a board member of the Bund eigenständiger unitarischer Jugend (BeuJ) (the German Unitarian youth organization). He is part of the Development Committee (Geistiger Rat) of the German Unitarian Association (URFG), a board of advisors to preserve and further develop the spiritual- religious foundations and objectives of the organization. In 2024 he participated in the UU Youth Exchange program, visiting the US. He likes to spend his free time mountain biking, reading or kayaking.
Dr. Gabor Kiss
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Dr. Gabor Kiss is a Budapest-born Unitarian who has been active in international Unitarian circles for decades. He chairs his congregation’s Partner Church Committee, maintaining long-standing relationships with their partner congregation in Sinfalva, Romania (Transylvania). Dr. Kiss has served as his congregation’s envoy to the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office (UU/UNO)—formerly led by UUWYN’s own Bruce Knotts and has been active with the International Convocation of Unitarian Universalist Women (ICUUW), which maintains deep roots in Transylvania. A licensed pilot and retired scientist/engineer, Dr. Kiss also brings on board a distinguished career in science and engineering in the fields of fiber optics and software.
Dr. Karsten
Urban
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Dr. Karsten Urban is a full professor of Numerical Mathematics at Ulm
University in Germany. He has been President of the German Unitarian
Association (“Unitarier-Religionsgemeinschaft Freien Glaubens”, URFG,
www.unitarier.de) since 2015 and has been several times a member of the URFG
board. He is a lay leader of the local congregation is his home town. Many years
ago, he was president of the German Unitarian Youth Organization (BeuJ).
North America
Shahan Islam
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Shahan was partner at two large New York law firms, working in the field of international intellectual property and then for over twenty years as a corporate lawyer at a large pharmaceutical company, responsible for intellectual property enforcement in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. He has held Board positions at a UU congregation and is co-chair of a congregation’s Committee of Ministry and is Director of Religious Education at another congregation. Prior to founding UUWYN, he created and ran an international UU youth exchange program (still ongoing), connecting youth/young adults and families on both sides of the Atlantic.
Bruce Knotts
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As a young adult, Bruce studied in Heidelberg, Germany and later joined the U.S. Peace Corps in Ethiopia. Subsequently, he taught in Saudi Arabia and Somalia. From 1984 through 2007, Bruce worked as a diplomat. In 2008 he was posted as Executive Director of the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office (UU-UNO) and organized the first United Nations sponsored workshops on LGBTIQ+ human rights in Paris at the UN Human Rights Conference at UNESCO Headquarters. He was instrumental in mainstreaming LGBTIQ+ and human rights at the United Nations and helped convince then UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon to tell the press that LGBTIQ+ rights are Human Rights. One year later, Hilary Clinton said the same thing. Bruce was able to lobby political and religious leaders in Taiwan to enact same-sex marriage, making Taiwan the first nation in Asia to do so.
Reverend Alan
Taylor
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Rev. Alan Taylor is a founding member of UUWYN and played a pivotal role in its early development, offering steady guidance and helping the organization navigate relationships with other UU bodies. He is a graduate of Pomona College and Starr King School for the Ministry. Rev. Taylor’s ministry extends far beyond the congregation through multi‑faith organizing, justice work, and bridge‑building across diverse communities. His spiritual life has been shaped by a wide range of traditions: he has practiced Zen Buddhism, studied in India and Nepal, prayed extensively with Missionary Baptist colleagues, and maintains a daily yoga practice. These experiences inform his inclusive, interfaith approach to ministry and his deep conviction that grace appears wherever people act with compassion.
Charlotte
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Charlotte is a vibrant and committed youth member of the Unitarian Universalist community, rooted in her Connecticut congregation where she participates actively in worship, service, and youth programming. Although her family’s connection to UU began when she was young, Charlotte’s own engagement deepened over the past two years as she rediscovered the power of community, shared values, and youth collaboration.
Her UU faith expresses itself most clearly through her everyday commitment to being “a good human being for myself and for others.” Charlotte sees her personal moral compass as aligned with UU ideals—especially compassion, equity, and the courage to imagine a better world. This grounding has shaped her growing leadership within her congregation and beyond.
A natural leader, Charlotte gravitates toward helping others stay organized, supported, and confident. She loves teaching, encouraging peers, and stepping in when someone is struggling. Her passion for social justice is central to her vision for UUWYN: she believes that justice work is the foundation for intercultural exchange, community learning, and global partnership. For Charlotte, UUWYN’s greatest role is to connect people across differences and create opportunities for peace, acceptance, and meaningful change.
LATIN AMERICA
Bianca Noroñas
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Bianca Noroñas was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico and works in an organization which provides support and home visits to families from pregnancy through age five. A certified doula and doula trainer, Bianca holds a master’s degree in Public Health, inspired by witnessing health and social disparities in communities of color. She is passionate about social justice, actively involved in community groups, and hopes to help more people connect with the message and values of UU.
Youth Leaders
Tallulah
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Tallulah is a high school student in Connecticut, USA. She is studying to pursue a career in fashion design and is interested in social media marketing and promotion. In her spare time, Tallulah likes to take her dogs for a walk, ski, and sew. Tallulah likes what she sees as the core values of Unitarian Universalism.
Sarah
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Sarah lives near Nairobi, Kenya and attends Our Lady of Loudes Nyabaru High School. A lifelong Unitarian, Sarah is part of the Maasai Unitarian Universalist Community and the congregation of Unitarian Universalist Altars of Africa. Her favorite school subject is biology and her interests include drawing, football and connecting with youth worldwide. Sarah hopes one day to become a physician.
Media Director
