Our Staff
Clare Butterfield , Executive Director
As Faith in Place’s executive director, Rev. Dr. Clare Butterfield preaches and teaches regularly at congregations throughout Illinois, while coordinating programmatic and organizational development. She started as Faith in Place’s original organizer and developed the organization into today’s regional scale. She is a Unitarian Universalist minister from central Illinois with a lifelong interest in environmental matters. Prior to entering the ministry, Rev. Butterfield had a career as a tax and corporate attorney. She has a D.Min. from Chicago Theological Seminary (2008), an M.Div. from Meadville Lombard Theological School (2000), a J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law (1983), and a B.A. in History from the University of Illinois (1980). She is the community minister for Unity Temple in Oak Park.
Rosalyn Priester , Assistant Director
rosalyn@faithinplace.org Rosalyn
In March 2010, Rosalyn Priester joined the Faith in Place staff to lead its fundraising efforts and assist in the programmatic activities of the organization. Before coming to Faith in Place, Rosalyn was the director of development for Trinity United Church of Christ (Trinity UCC) in Chicago, where her most recent responsibilities were the fundraising activities for the church and several of its affiliated corporations. Earlier in her work at Trinity UCC, Rosalyn helped establish, license, and direct a volunteer hospice care program. Her previous experience includes 18 years in development for a national professional health association, and 10 years in banking as a loan officer. She received a Masters degree in community economic development from the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago, and a Bachelors degree in language from Ohio State University. Rosalyn is a member of Trinity UCC and serves there as a deacon.
Veronica Kyle , Congregational Outreach
veronica@faithinplace.org Veronica
Veronica joined the Faith in Place staff in August 2008 to engage in the much needed work of linking/involving African American churches to the work of Faith in Place. In addition Veronica works with other Faith in Place partners in the movement to share, coordinate and support congregations that are new to the idea of living out their faith while serving as good stewards of the environment. Veronica lived and worked for the past twelve years in the Caribbean and Southern Africa for a faith-based organization in the areas of social justice and development. She received her B.A. in Religion and Women Studies from Vermont College of Norwich University and her Masters degree in Gender Studies from University of the West Indies, 1999.
Brian J. Sauder , Central Illinois Outreach and Policy Coordinator
Brian joined the Faith in Place team in January 2010 to lead our advocacy efforts and reach out to central Illinois congregations. Brian grew up in central Illinois and received his B.S. from the University of Illinois in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. He has a M.A. in Religion from Urbana Theological Seminary and is a MBA candidate at the University of Illinois. Brian is a member of the First Mennonite Church of Champaign. The central Illinois office for Faith in Place is located at the University YMCA in Champaign.
, Youth Program Coordinator
As first generation to the Great Lakes -Chicago born & raised, Katy(í) Regalado engaged by her questions about an ecology of body, spirit, and community, joined Faith in Place in 2006 . She works with youth in creating urban environmental stewardship rooted in exploring our relationship(s) to the natural world from our own backyards. She is committed to practicing a critical pedagogy of place in addressing the well-being of the social and ecological terrains we inhabit. She received her B.A. in Latin American & Latino Studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago and her M.A. in Environmental Education from Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College.
Susan Stevens , Congregational Outreach and Support
Susan came to Faith in Place in August 2011 as a member of the Lutheran Volunteer Corps. She is one of the coordinators of the Winter Farmers Markets and assists with other Faith in Place programs. A native of Evanston, IL, Susie is thrilled to be back in the Chicago area for her second year with LVC. Last year, she was the LVC volunteer at the San Francisco Night Ministry. She has a B.A. in philosophy from Denison University.
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Leila Shooshani , Congregational Outreach and Support
Leila joined Faith in Place in August of 2011 through AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps. In addition to Congregational Outreach, Leila works with the Winter Farmers Market program. Leila is a recent graduate of New College of Florida with a B.A in philosophy. Prior to Faith in Place, she spent the summer working on an organic farm, which incorporates Jewish values into its practice. Leila has found that her love of Jewish scholarship, traditional philosophy, and environmentalism happily blend.
