“I’ve known Larry as very well-grounded in both our complex institutional and spiritual history, but also as a person with a clear vision, and the skills required to help navigate a healthy and engaged future for us in the larger world during this difficult era. “

 Rev. Marco Belletini

Emeritus First UU Church of Columbus OH

Author of Nothing Gold Can Stay: The Colors of Grief

Past Member, UUA Ministerial Fellowship Committee

“Strategic planning for the future requires broad experience of our institutions and deep commitment to our anti-racist, multicultural mission. No Unitarian Universalist today embodies those qualities better than Larry Ladd. He knows what makes congregations thrive and what makes them struggle. On sound governance and finance he has been both a national advisor and a fiduciary. I urge his election to the UUA Board. The UUA needs his institutional memory and wisdom.”

Rev. John Buehrens

UUA President, 1993-2001

“Larry Ladd is a thoughtful, grounded, and deeply committed leader within Unitarian Universalism. He brings wisdom, integrity, and a collaborative spirit to every space he serves. I believe Larry’s experience, steady presence, and care for our faith and its future make him well suited for this role, and I am glad to support his candidacy for the board.”

Rev. John T. Crestwell Jr.

Senior Minister, Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis

“I’ve long admired Larry Ladd, and we are truly blessed that he is willing to serve on the UUA's Board. Larry understands systems, governance, and our shared ministries like no other. He keeps his focus on the larger mission and vision.” 

Tuli Patel

Religious Educator and Executive Director, Beacon UU in Summit NY

Trustee, Starr King School for the Ministry  

“Having worked closely with Larry Ladd over the years, I know him to be a leader who is able to “see around corners,” anticipating potential perils and opportunities for the Unitarian Universalist institutions he has served. As a skilled collaborator who keeps the value of inclusion front and center, Larry has worked to successfully guide UU institutions to a newly imagined and hopeful future. With his deep knowledge base and his abiding love for our shared faith, we would be fortunate to have Larry Ladd in service to the UUA.”

Rev. Dr. Lee Barker

Former President, Meadville Lombard Theological School

“About 25 years ago, I watched Larry Ladd deliver his report as Financial Advisor at General Assembly.  It was a data driven snapshot of congregational membership, and he gave an unvarnished picture of our challenges. The UUA was growing, but too slowly.  I don’t remember a single other speaker from that meeting, but Larry was notable in his mastery of UUA data over the decades.  Larry used the facts to urge the assembly members go home and work to grow our congregations—to expand our reach and impact.

“All these years later, and Larry’s devotion to Unitarian Universalism, and his commitment to facing challenges head on is clearer now than ever.  I’m now on the board of Meadville Lombard Theological School having arrived almost 10 years after Larry completed his second term. The legacy of Larry’s leadership and wisdom are in great evidence.  Decisions that were made while he was board chair have been transformative in securing a stronger financial base for our school. He brings a tremendous skillset and deep experience. Larry is a rare changemaker, and his service will be a blessing to our faith.”

Carla Kindt

Trustee & Chair of the Advancement Team, Meadville Lombard Theological School

Retired Director of Development at Northeastern University and the Greater Boston Food Bank

Past Director of Major Gifts, UUA

“Larry Ladd is a global expert on nonprofit governance who has long shared time and expertise with UU leaders, congregations, and schools. He will be an asset on the UUA Board in this crucial time. As UUA Financial Advisor, Larry Ladd provided the most readable and useful reports I have seen. Cutting through financial jargon, Larry told us how the UUA was doing.”

Rev. Dan Hotchkiss

Church and Synagogue Consultant

Author, Governance and Ministry: Rethinking Board Leadership

Past Senior Consultant, The Alban Institute

“I have always been hugely impressed with Larry Ladd's unfailing and positive energy to support and grow Unitarian Universalism.  I worked with him in several volunteer positions but most closely when I chaired the Board of Trustees of the Starr King School for the Ministry.  We called on Larry for advice and assistance numerous times, especially when we considered and ultimately decided to sell our building and operate much more as a virtual institution.  He was optimistic about the school but always realistic, and he gave wise counsel.  He has helped UU organizations and people in many ways, always guided by his vision of a faith that invites the margins in, extending the reach and impact of our small but vital faith.”

Ted Fetter

Former board chair, Starr King School for the Ministry

Former president, UUA District President’s Association

Former chair, UUA Moderator Nominating Committee

“I have had the great pleasure of knowing, working with, and consulting Larry Ladd, who is known for his deep expertise and wisdom in areas of particular concern to me.  These include board governance, ethics, financial analysis and reporting, and many others.  Larry has always given generously of his time to mentor and nurture up-and-coming higher education leaders.  I invited on a numerous occasions to speak with junior business officers on these very issues.  He has also been consulted by senior leaders, including presidents and CFOs, to solve challenging issues at large complex institutions.  I was delighted when I realized Larry was also a UU, as that created yet another connection point for us.  Larry successfully recruited me to serve the larger UU world, and I currently serve as a board member and Treasurer at Meadville Lombard Theological School. Larry is someone who cares deeply and brings his broad ranging expertise to every endeavor.  I know he would be a very strong addition to our UUA Board.”

Lynne Schaefer

Trustee and Finance Chair, Meadville Lombard Theological School

Past Board Chair & Interim President, National Assoc. of College & University Business Officers

Past CFO of University of Maryland at Baltimore County, Oakland University, and others

“I’m glad to endorse Larry Ladd for a position on the UUA Board of Trustees. During my service on the UUA Board (2013–16), Larry, as Financial Advisor, often educated trustees on history—topics such as past membership and giving trends, or endowment performance. He encouraged us to look deeply at our past—not because it was the past, but so we might make wiser decisions for the future of Unitarian Universalism.  Larry would bring to the Board that thoughtful understanding of our UU legacy, as well as his expertise in nonprofit finance and governance--all in support of his hopeful vision of a deeper and more inclusive faith.”

Susan Weaver

Former UUA trustee and vice moderator

Former trustee Meadville Lombard Theological School

"I have a hard time thinking of anyone more uniquely qualified to help move Unitarian Universalism forward in a sustainable way than Larry Ladd. Larry's long and varied service within Unitarian Universalism is distinguished but it's Larry's financial and nonprofit knowledge that really sets him apart as a candidate. Larry's mind is constantly working on how to expand our movement and make it viable long-term for as many people as possible."

Jessica Cloud

Former Vice President for Advancement, Starr King School for the Ministry

“It is with great enthusiasm that I offer my support for Larry Ladd's candidacy for the UUA Board of Trustees. Larry is a proven servant-leader, discerning the needs of our largest and most complex organizations with wisdom, experience, and integrity.  His considerable skills in finance and institutional systems, combined with a deep commitment to the values and vision of Unitarian Universalism, make him an ideal candidate for such a time as this.”   

The Reverend Kathleen C. Rolenz

Accredited Interim Minister

All Souls NYC

Interim Senior Minister (2025 | 2026-2027)

“Larry has been one of the most consistent and skillful leaders in the Unitarian Universalist movement for many years. He is a thought leader who combines significant experience from the non-profit sector, congregational leadership, and service to the Association with the newest findings on the changing religious landscape to ask provocative questions about the future of Unitarian Universalism. I trust that his service on the Board will result in a Board better equipped to help our beloved tradition meet the challenges of the next “decades.

The Rev. Dr. Colin Bossen, PhD

Senior Minister, First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston

Visiting Fellow, Centre for Unitarian and Dissenting Studies, Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford

“I am so glad Larry Ladd is running for the UUA Board. He brings unparalleled experience, and insight, works well with others, and deeply cares for our Association. I enthusiastically endorse him.

Rev. James Ishmael Ford

Minister Emeritus, First Unitarian Church of Providence RI

Past President, Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship