Bios

Hugh Kimball

Hugh Kimball and his wife, Janet, became members of UUC in 1984 when their young children needed a religious grounding. Their two children, Todd and Nate, participated in church school until high school. They benefited greatly through participating in About Your Sexuality (pre-OWL). For ten or more years, you could find Hugh volunteering in the church school. He served as co-chair of the Children and Youth Program Committee for one term, and he taught church school classes and served as a Coming of Age mentor for many years. Hugh also has served two terms with the Leadership Development Committee. For over 30 years, Hugh has sung tenor in the All Voices Choir. Professionally, Hugh was a biological sciences research technician for ten years before becoming a carpenter/supervisor in residential construction. His leadership style is collaborative by choice. As an executive officer/navigator of a small Navy ship off the coast of Vietnam, he experienced other leadership styles. Since Hugh has cut back on his extensive bicycle riding, he swims most mornings with a master’s swim team.

Sooraj Kuttykrishnan

My family has been attending UUC since 2012 and became members in 2016. My wife Rebecca grew up attending the Saltwater Unitarian church, while I had a secular, progressive, and culturally Hindu upbringing in Kerala, India that valued collective action for social justice. We searched for a community that shared our values to raise our children and were drawn to the UU tradition. We are immensely grateful for the religious education program, which has provided a strong foundation for our family, especially through the family social justice and OWL programs. While spiritual exploration intrigues me intellectually, I am most interested in opportunities for collective action, whether it is about social justice or climate change. Currently, I work as a data science manager at Microsoft, where my responsibilities include directing analyses, employee development, and providing leadership on strategic initiatives. During my leisure time, I enjoy engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking and biking, following political and social issues in both the US and India, and reading about a wide variety of topics. I am excited about the experiences the position on the Board will bring.

Lora Poepping

UUC has been my religious home for more than 20 years. Not unlike so many of UUC’s members, my husband Scott and I come from different religious backgrounds—I was raised in the Jewish tradition (I call myself a “Jewnitarian”) and Scott as Catholic. When it came time to provide a religious home for our young daughters, UUC was an ideal choice, as it combined so many of the best aspects of those two religions and encouraged exploration, compassion, and a worldview. Since joining (coincidentally, just as Jon began his ministry), I have immersed myself in all things UUC, including co-chairing three auctions, leading the HR committee, serving as a greeter, taking on all aspects of public relations for the building capital campaign, working in the religious education office, co-facilitating teen religious education classes, and volunteering as a Coming-of-Age mentor. Most recently, I am part of a small but mighty team that staffs the Information Session each Sunday, where I have the privilege of introducing visitors and prospective members to all things UUC. Scott has also stepped up to serve in leadership roles at UUC. My “day job” is the founder and president of Plum Coaching & HR Consulting, which serves clients around the world. My husband and I live in Seattle and these days, we are empty nesters, with our daughters living in Chicago and Austin. I feel so fortunate to have been part of UUC’s family for these many years and have formed so many incredible friendships here. I am honored to be considered for a Board position.