Board of Directors- Officers
Yvette-Michelle Wynn, the President of the Metropolitan Association, is deeply dedicated to the United Church of Christ, a commitment that has been evident since her teenage years. Is a lifelong member and devoted leader within the United Church of Christ. Her current church home is the Community Church of the Pelhams, and she spent her formative years at Corona Congregational Church, where her mother remains an active member. Her service as a moderator in both congregations and many other roles is a testament to her unwavering dedication. Before her tenure as President, Yvette served the New York Conference and the Metro Association in numerous influential capacities. She served as the Treasurer on the Board of Directors of the New York Conference, as Chair of the Metro Association Ordination & Ministerial Standing Committee (currently known as COMM) for three years, and as a member of the Congregational Development & Standing Committee. In the National Setting of the United Church of Christ, Yvette served on the United Church of Christ Board (UCCB) for six years, including a term as Chair from 2019 to 2021.
Her past service with the Metropolitan Association Board includes membership on the Standing and Development Committee and the Committee on Ministry (formerly Ordination & Ministerial Standing), where she also served as Chair. She has also held leadership positions at the wider church level, including Treasurer of the New York Conference and Chair of the United Church of Christ Board (UCCB) from 2019 to 2021. In addition, Yvette serves on several nonprofit boards, including United Church Funds (UCF), Children’s Village, and the Estate Planning Council of Westchester County. She also co-chairs the Loan Committee of Community Capital New York (CCNY), a mission-driven lender serving historically underserved communities in the lower Hudson Valley.
Her extensive education and certifications underpin Yvette’s expertise in the financial services industry. She is an Executive Director at a global wealth management firm and holds licensure, including the prestigious Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation.
Charlaine Apsel (Secretary), Church of in the Gardens. Charlaine is a dedicated UCC member who has served the New York Conference with unwavering commitment in the church for over 25 years. Her dedication to not-for-profits began at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where she served as Director of Finance and Marketing for the Publishing Department.
At the Suffolk Association, her leadership was evident during her tenure as treasurer and on the Committee on Church and Ministry. She also represented the Association on the Conference Personnel Committee and the Unified Fitness Review Board, and revised the Association's Constitution and Bylaws.
She was the Treasurer in her husband’s former church for 14 years, sat on the Church Council, chaired the team that rewrote their Constitution and By-laws, was a member of the Worship and Sacrament Board, the Finance and Stewardship team, and, this year, she was elected to be Treasurer of her new church, The Church-in-the-Garden.s
Her recent roles as Treasurer of the New York Conference, member of the Conference Board, the Conference Minister Search Committee, the Stewardship Committee, and the Nominating Committee all showcase her versatility, dedication, and reliability.
Phil Salmon (Treasurer) is a member of the Riverside Church and the Chief Financial and Operating Officer of Westover School (“Westover”). Mr. Salmon has also served as the Director of Finance at Amani Public Charter School, a 350-student middle school in Mount Vernon, NY.
He has served as past Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Riverside Church, an interdenominational church endowed by John D. Rockefeller Jr. in 1930. Mr. Salmon also serves on the United Church of Christ Pension Board and the Board of Community Capital New York, a Community Development Financial Institution focused on small business and affordable housing. Mr. Salmon has a BA in Accounting from Franklin & Marshall College and an MBA in Finance from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. Phil and his wife, Lisa, are proud parents of Jessye, a senior women’s lacrosse goalie at Amherst College.
The Rev. Dr. Ronald Williams Wells (Moderator), Senior Pastor, Union Congregational Church, is a dynamic force in the community. Ordained as a minister in the United Church of Christ on February 10, 1985, he has inspired congregants as the Senior Pastor of Union Congregational for an incredible 25 years. With an impressive background as a Captain in the US Navy Reserve Chaplaincy, he dedicated 30 years of service, including a remarkable nine-month tour in Afghanistan, where he offered spiritual guidance in one of the world’s most challenging environments. Beyond his military achievements, Dr. Wells is a retired Principal from New York City, shaping the lives of countless students. Proudly, he is the father of seven wonderful children and a doting grandfather to seven delightful grandchildren. His journey is a testament to service, leadership, and family!.
Deborah Dee Brayton (Vice Moderator) has been a member of the United Church of Christ throughout her upbringing and is a lifelong member of St. Albans Congregational Church UCC in St. Albans, New York, where she is actively involved in many ministries.
Deborah Dee brings a wealth of experience to her roles. She retired as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation after more than 40 years of service. In retirement, she does consulting work in Caregiving and Mental Health. She is an active member of her local church, serving on the Conference Board and the Personnel Committee at the New York Conference. Additionally, she serves on the Board of the United Church of Christ and has been a member of the United Black Christians for over 40 years (she currently serves as the First Vice President).
This scripture verse guides Deborah Dee and encapsulates her unwavering commitment to serving others: “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” 1 Peter 4:10
Board of Directors- Members
CLASS OF 2028
Stephanie Bennett (1) Church of the Evangel
Melva Victorino (1) Garden City Community Church
Rev. Karim Camara (1) Abundant Life Church
Rev. Anthony Viji (1) Christava Tamil Koil UCC
Darlton Haskins (1) St. Albans Congregational Church
*Rev. Joya Colon-Berezin (1) Scarsdale Congregational
CLASS OF 2027
Rev. Donna Schaper (1)
Rev. Rayford Howell (1) Congregational Church of South Hempstead
Jacob Thomas (1) Bowne Street Community Church
Stephen Abraham (1) Christava Tamil Koil UCC
Martha Gotwals (1) Judson Memorial Church
*Rev. Franklin Wilson(1) St. Albans Congregational
CLASS OF 2026
James Thomas (2) Hollis Ave. Congregational Church
Rev. Dr. Richard Sturm (1) Park Avenue Christian Church
Rev. Susan Switzer (1) The Riverside Church
Rev. Lynn Sullivan (1) United Church of Rockville Centre
*Rev. Michele Wiltshire-Clemens (1), Riverside
*Indicates New to the Board