Elizabeth LeMaster, Michelle Barry join Verde Valley Sanctuary Board of Directors

Leader of Sedona United Methodist Church, local PR consultant excited to serve Survivors in Verde Valley and beyond

COTTONWOOD, Ariz. — Verde Valley Sanctuary’s (VVS) Board of Directors recently approved two new members to join their ranks as the agency continues to serve survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the Verde Valley and beyond for more than 30 years.

Elizabeth LeMaster, Pastor for Sedona United Methodist Church, and Michelle Barry, a local public relations and communications strategist and owner of Mesmerize Media Consulting, were approved by the Board in the fall of 2025 and have immediately made an impact supporting VVS and their work within the community.

“We are so grateful that Elizabeth [LeMaster] has joined the Board. As pastor of Sedona UMC, she has a deep understanding of the needs of the community and brings that insight and compassion to our Board activities. She demonstrates a strong commitment to VVS and helps advance our mission to care for victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse,” VVS Board President Pat Jansen said.

As for Barry, Jansen said she brings a wealth of knowledge to the Board.

“As a career public relations professional, Michelle [Barry] has volunteered for various VVS projects in the past. She brings great enthusiasm for our organization and is passionate about helping victims of domestic violence,” Jansen said. “She is devoted to helping us expand our services throughout the community.”

Originally from West Virginia, LeMaster moved to the Verde Valley in 2023 after spending more than two decades as a litigation paralegal and forensic accountant before transitioning to full-time ministry after earning a master’s degree in divinity.

Now as a local pastor, LeMaster said she feels a “clear call from God” to advocate for social justice and equity, and to stand up and advocate for our neighbors.

“As pastor of Sedona UMC and as an individual living in the Sedona/Verde Valley area I am fully committed to this work,” said LeMaster, who also holds a doctorate in church leadership excellence. “VVS is the only source of comprehensive resources for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in our area, and it is critical that their work continue to be supported.”

LeMaster continued to state that VVS’ mission, which is to provide safety, services, and comfort to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, is important to her.

“[Their] commitment to caring for victims/survivors aligns with my professional and personal values and desire to come alongside and support organizations doing good work in our community,” LeMaster said, adding that her highest priority as a board member for VVS is to make sure the community understands the value that the agency brings and the resources they provide.

“As a pastor, I hope to bring a spiritual presence. Although I am a Christian, I believe that God is not narrow and that all belief systems are valid,” LeMaster said. “I also respect a person’s right to not believe in any divinity or higher power. I am always happy to hold space for anyone who needs it, including board members, VVS staff or clients.”

Barry, who moved to the Verde Valley in 2017 and has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Salve Regina University, also felt a calling to join the VVS Board of Directors.

“I joined the VVS Board because I believe strongly in the mission and wanted to bring my skills to help steer the direction of the organization,” Barry said.

Prior to arriving in the Verde Valley, the Portland, Maine, native has held leadership roles at leading Boston public relations agencies, including Lewis PR, Metis Communications and Bridgeview Marketing, and has overseen award-winning public relations campaigns for other nonprofits including The Joyful Heart Foundation, Peace and Paws Dog Rescue, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

With her experience, Barry hopes to help VVS continue to meet the needs of the community.

“As the Verde Valley grows, there is a greater demand for services, and VVS needs more support to be able to grow, raise money, and reach people when they are in need of these vital services,” Barry said.

Jessye Johnson, VVS Executive Director since 2022, said it’s been a pleasure working with the two new board members over the past few months, and she couldn’t be more thrilled to have “two powerhouse” individuals join the board.

“Their clear passion for the mission, along with their individual skills and experiences, make them a valuable addition,” Johnson said. “We are looking forward to their many contributions to the organization during their service.”

About

Verde Valley Sanctuary’s mission is to provide safety, services, and comfort to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The agency began in 1993 as a grassroots organization with a leased modular home that slept six and has grown into a 28-bed emergency shelter with transitional housing options, a lay legal advocacy center, community-based advocacy support, a 24/7/365 crisis hotline (928-634-2511) and a staff that takes pride in its youth violence prevention education and public outreach and awareness. VVS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and qualifying charitable organization for the Arizona Tax Credit. Federal Tax ID: #86-071314; QCO Code: #20041. Visit VerdeValleySanctuary.org for more information.