Street & Mailing Address:
General Contact:
Rev. Christina Leone-Tracy, Co-Minister (she/her)
christina@fvuuf.org
Rev. Christina has served the Fellowship since August 2017. She grew up in Texas and discovered Unitarian Universalism while in college at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She has a master’s degree in clinical psychology (M.S.) from the University of Memphis, Tennesee and a master of divinity degree (M.Div.) from Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, Illinois.
Rev. Christina is passionate about creating meaningful, diverse, and inclusive community and imparting our Unitarian Universalist shared values.
She and her husband Brian live in Appleton with their two sons Nevan and Ellis, and their sweet big dogs Asher and Ronan. Christina loves to dance, read fiction, try new foods, practice Spanish, and teach English to newcomers to our community.
Rev. Hannah Roberts Villnave, Co-Minister (she/her)
hannah@fvuuf.org
Rev. Hannah’s ministry reflects the places she lives and works, and she is passionate about building religious communities that are grounded in local context while holding a radical vision for a more just and compassionate world.
Born and raised as a UU in Racine, WI, Hannah’s first taste of religious community was at Olympia Brown UU Church where she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, and was an all-around Church Nerd. Between her growing up years in Racine and today, Rev. Hannah has done everything from teaching middle school to packing boxes in a warehouse to working as a restaurant host. She eventually earned her Master of Divinity at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC and served from 2017-2022 as the settled minister at the UU Church of Cheyenne, WY.
Rev. Hannah lives in Appleton with her wife, Catherine, their two kiddos, Adah and Benjamin, and their big cat Bruce. With the two minutes each day they aren’t working or parenting, they enjoy doing crosswords, sampling local food and beer, and cheering on the Baltimore Orioles.
Laura Kallio, Finance Manager (she/her)
laura@fvuuf.org
Laura is our Finance Manager. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education/Political Science/Pre-Law from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan, where she was born and raised. Prior to working at the Fellowship, Laura worked as a Business Manager, as well as working in mental health before moving to Wisconsin a few years ago.
She lives with her husband Chad, two dogs (Fox Red Lab Wilson, & Chocolate Lab, Oakley). They are new to being “empty nesters” and have a son, Cameron, and a daughter, Campbell. In her free time, Laura likes to thrift-shop, spend time with dogs, and play pickleball/tennis.
Seth Gillespie, Program & Volunteer Coordinator (he/him)
seth@fvuuf.org
Seth is the Program & Volunteer Coordinator at the Fellowship, where he brings a deep commitment to community engagement and service. A lifelong churchgoer, he has extensive experience working closely with congregations, fostering meaningful connections, and supporting vibrant, inclusive programming.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in History from Murray State University and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science.
Seth lives in Appleton with his husband, Keith, their dog Maverick, and their rat, Lightning McQueen. Outside of work and academics, he enjoys watching football, reading, volunteering at the local library, and exploring museums in the community.
Cyndi Polakowski, Operations Coordinator (she/her)
cyndi@fvuuf.org
Cyndi has served on the Fellowship’s staff for over 15 years. She enjoys having the opportunity to help members and friends of the Fellowship in her work.
Jill Williams, Religious Exploration Assistant (she/her)
jill@fvuuf.org
Jill is pleased to be a part of the Fellowship family; she and her family have been members since 2005. She received her BA degree in Music Performance, Bassoon from the Metropolitan State University in Denver, Colorado, and completed coursework toward her Masters in Humanities from the University of California-Dominguez Hills. She has been working alongside the Director of Religious Exploration since the fall of 2022.
Prior to working at the Fellowship, Jill taught Early Childhood Music Education at the Lawrence Community School, worked in the Appleton Area School District as an assistant in the Family & Community Engagement Office, and as the Assistant Registrar at a law school in California.
Jill and her husband moved from San Diego to Appleton in 2004, where they’ve raised their two children.
Tam Masters, Music Coordinator and Joyful Noise Choir Director (he/him, they/them)
tam@fvuuf.org
Tam has been involved with music since they were born, being a part of a family of church musicians. He also loves to write, craft, play tabletop role-playing games, cook, swim, and learn as much as possible about the world we live in. In addition to their role at the Fellowship, Tam is a private music instructor. Tam has been a member of the Fellowship since 2024.
Rick Bjella, Fellowship Choir Director (he/him)
Rick served as the Director of Choral Studies at Lawrence University Conservatory of Music for 25 years and then served as a professor of music at Texas Tech University. He continues to present seminars and sessions and guest direct choirs throughout the country, and has been recognized with numerous awards, distinguished professorships, and one of his choirs produced a CD that received a Grammy nod in 2018. Rick has distinguished himself as a conductor, clinician, choral pedagogue, and choral arranger around the world.
He is married to Linda and they have three amazing grown children and five grandchildren. Rick has been a member of the Fellowship since 2018.
Brian Hutzell, Piano Accompanist (he/him)
Brian studied trombone at Northwestern University and piano at Berklee College of Music, and has played in ensembles of every shape and size. One especially memorable job was touring as keyboardist for rock and roll legends Danny and the Juniors (of “At the Hop” fame). He is fond of music theatre and is a veteran of dozens of shows. He has accompanied, music-directed, and even written musicals. As a pit musician, he has played piano, trombone, euphonium, bass guitar, and accordion.
Brian has lived in Appleton for a year. Previously, he was active in music communities in Des Moines, Chicago, and Boston. He lives with his wife and two cats.
Prerna Kvalvik, Nursery Staff (she/her)
Prerna has been a member of the Fellowship for more than two decades. She is a middle school teacher in Appleton and works in the Fellowship nursery.
Jonathan D. Steffen, Audio/Video Technician (he/him)
Jonathan was brought to the Fellowship in September of 2021 to support the existing AV team. He was born and raised in Neenah, WI, and has degrees from Madison Media Institute in Audio Engineering, an Associate’s Degree from UW Fox Valley, and a Bachelor of Arts from Lawrence University. Before joining the team here, Jonathan served on other faith-based audio/visual teams and recently started a business dedicated to supporting the audio/visual and live streaming goals of small businesses. Jonathan has always enjoyed using his gifts to amplify the voices of others, and looks forward to continuing to do so at the Fellowship. He currently lives in Neenah with his spouse, child, 2 dogs, 5 birds, several dozen fish, and a snapping turtle.
Jack Mutschler, Audio/Video Technician (he/him)
Jack grew up going to the Fellowship. After coming back home from Colorado, where he did a semester of graduate school at Colorado State University, Jack started to help with sound and video for the Fellowship. Jack was born in Manila, Philippines, but grew up in Appleton, WI.
Jack graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2022 and has a bachelor’s degree in music performance. He has a lot of performance experience and knowledge of audio/video recording. Jack lives in Appleton, WI. He loves writing music, getting together with friends, and spending time with his family.
Denise Johnson, Fellowship Counseling Intern (she/her, fhe/fer)
Denise is studying to receive her masters’ degree in counseling from Lakeland University and is doing her 150-hour practicum placement at our Fellowship this spring! She lived in Knoxville, Tennessee for 16 years until 2018, and has been a part of the Fox Valley community since then.
Denise has an associate’s degree in business administration from Pellissippi State Community College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Tennessee Knoxville while also holding a bachelor’s degree in psychology and an LGBTQ+ Studies Certificate from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
Denise enjoys working with individuals from all backgrounds with a firm commitment to helping others become the best that they can be. Fhe lives in Appleton and has strong ties to the community resources of Diverse & Resilient, and NAMI Fox Valley. Denise enjoys nature walks, and various Japanese animated series.
Affiliated Community Ministers
We have community ministers who are affiliated with the Fellowship. Community ministers are Unitarian Universalist ministers serving in other ministries in our community but are in covenant with the Fellowship and occasionally offer services here. They are not members of our regular ministry team, but are in relationship with our Fellowship ministers.
Reverend Jim Coakley serves as an affiliated community minister focused on regional ministry to two lay-led UU fellowships in Fond du Lac and Waukesha. He is a graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological School with a Master of Divinity degree and was ordained by the Fellowship in 2016. He has been a very active member for over 20 years. Jim currently supports the staff though occasional preaching, pastoral care, and adult programs.
Rev. Hope Engeseth serves as a hospice chaplain with Thedacare Regional Medical System and is an affiliated community minister with the Fellowship.
Minister Emeritus
Reverend Roger Bertschausen was the senior minister of the Fellowship from 1990 until 2015. He guided the Fellowship through years of transitions in staff growth, service schedules and practices, building construction, relocation and expansion. Roger oversaw a period of almost constant growth in membership. This title is honorary and given for his dedication and care of this Fellowship. This title does not include any decision-making, pastoral care, or ministerial leadership functions.
Our staff is available to answer your questions and help you connect to the Fellowship. Feel free to contact us!
