Our Staff
Rev. Dr. Clare Butterfield , Executive Director
clare@faithinplace.org Rev. Dr. Clare
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. He grew up in an Anabaptist community in Central Illinois and received his BS from the University of Illinois in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. With growing concerns for biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and climate change, he decided to deepen the connection between ecology and his faith tradition by enrolling at Urbana Theological Seminary where he graduated with an MA in Religion. During seminary he broadened his understanding in the field of Religion and Ecology, helped co-found the STEWARDship Workshop and started the praxis-oriented group EcoEcumenical. Brian is a member of the First Mennonite Church of Champaign. The Central Illinois office for Faith in Place is located in Urbana, IL at St. Matthew Lutheran Church.
Katy Regalado , Youth Program Coordinator
As youth program coordinator, Katy Regalado oversees our lively after-school and summer program at various sites throughout Chicago. She plans the environmental curriculum and teaches youth to grow food, compost with worms, and care for honeybees. Katy joined Faith in Place in January 2006 with four years experience in youth development. Previously, she worked as a youth educator/artist for Ecovida, an environmental justice organization in Chicago’s Pilsen community. She also participated in Public Allies, a non-for-profit apprenticeship program in Chicago, after receiving her B.A. in Latin American and Latino Studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2004. Beginning July 2010, Katy will be pursuing a Masters in Environmental Education from Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana.
Abby Mohaupt , Interim Youth Program Coordinator
Abby will serve as interim youth program coordinator for the 2010-2011 school year, but came to Faith in Place as a seminary intern in the fall of 2009. During her stay, Abby adapted the youth program curriculum for a variety of ages, seasons, and faiths. Abby graduated from Illinois Wesleyan in December 2007 with Bachelor of Arts degree in religion and sociology, and expects to complete a Master of Divinity in May 2011 from McCormick Theological Seminary. Her work with children includes counseling all ages at Stronghold Summer Camp and Conference Center for three full summers. While there, Abby designed curriculum, as well as led worship and arts and crafts. She is a certified Leave No Trace outdoor ethics trainer, and currently co-coordinates the organic garden at her Chicago church, Ravenswood Presbyterian.
Erika Dornfeld , Congregational Outreach and Support
Erika Dornfeld joined Faith in Place in August 2009 as a Lutheran Volunteer Corps volunteer and is very excited to be on the team! In addition to Congregational Outreach, Erika works with Winter Farmers Markets and lends a helping hand wherever it is needed. A northern Idaho native, she recently moved to Chicago after graduating from Pacific Lutheran University in Washington State. There, she received her B.S. in Biology, and minors in Religion and Printing and Publishing Arts. While in college, Erika worked for Environmental Services, and studied the ethics and economics of sustainable development in coastal Mexico.