BOARD of TRUSTEES
Leslie Herrle
Secretary, Board of Trustees
Peggy Litts
Treasurer, Board of Trustees
Ms. Norma Martí is a bilingual-bicultural (Spanish/Puerto Rican) community health worker (CHW) with over 30 years of experience in addressing issues of Latine/Hispanic health equity. Her career focus has been on engaging and connecting immigrant, refugee and other historically marginalized populations to state programs. She retired from NCDHHS in 2019 and during COVID traveled to Carteret County for connection with the ocean and sky that is her heaven on earth. On those trips, she discovered CCU after years of being a member at Unity of the Triangle, in Raleigh where she lives.
Norma is a teacher by training and has also worked as an English-as-a-Second-Language instructor at Wake Technical Community College, She has conducted hundreds of grassroot presentations, and has attended national, state and local conferences to be the voice for those whose voices are not often heard or included. Retired from her role at NC DHHS, Division of Public Health in 2019 where she worked creating a CHW protocol for the department as well as providing access to programs for families with children with special healthcare needs from 2007-2019. Ms. Martí was called back to work in the Office of the Secretary at NC DHHS as the Latinx/Hispanic Community Liaison from June, 2020 through June, 2021 to address Latinx COVID infections and engagement of that community. Currently, she serves on two community boards within health institutions in the Triangle: UNCCH-medical research institute, NC TRaCS; and Wake Meds, Community Clinic. She was asked to join the board of CCU in January, 2025 and serves as the vice-president.
Norma Marti
Vice President, Board of Trustees
When I initially became aware of Unity and the Five Principles, I thought, "Wow, these are just so simple". As the years progress, I realize, that is truly the beauty of this spiritual home. It really is simple, yet we still forget and Unity helps us be reminded who we truly are in spirit. I love how these five concepts are the cornerstone of living life. Unity incorporates so many of the teachings of many of the world religions, but in a personal and actionable way. God is all around us, in our core essence, and we have the ability of thought to manifest all things and create abundance. Every day we can connect to our divine essence through meditation and prayer, and we can take our blessings authentically out into the world. I feel so blessed to have found my true community here at Crystal Coast Unity!
Teresa Penbrooke
Member-at-Large, Board of Trustees
In 2015, after my first visit to Unity and hearing the Five Foundational Principles, I began to think about how I had already been living them for many years. The simplicity of these Principles cuts through complex dogmas of my earlier religious experiences. I try to live my life in a way that acknowledges and honors a greater power. I recognize my uniqueness as a gift from my Creator and express those gifts in ways that I believe have helped build peace for the world. My heart always leads me to being generous in whatever ways I can respond to people around me. I have found success in my life, both personal and professional, by dreaming big and being persistent for the goals I’ve wanted to achieve. Even though I don’t always understand it, I believe my individual expression of prayer and meditation, holds power and promise. I continue to evolve in the beauty and wisdom of Unity Principles, living them to the best of my ability one day at a time.
Jerry Tomlinson
President, Board of Trustees
